Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the US Open match.
This first-round clash in New York pits one of the tour’s brightest young talents against an inconsistent but experienced opponent. At just 19 years old, Fonseca is already ranked No.45 in the ATP rankings, three places above Kecmanović (No.42). A win here would move him further ahead of his Serbian rival.
João Fonseca
The two have never met before. Last week they couldn’t cross paths either: Kecmanović opted to play Winston-Salem (ATP 250), while Fonseca rested after Cincinnati. There the 18-year-old performed strongly, beating two opponents, including world No.18 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina — though the Spaniard retired late in the second set. At the US Open a year ago, Fonseca was ranked No.162 and only made it to the third round of qualifying. His rise into the main draw in 2025 highlights just how far he has progressed in twelve months.
Miomir Kecmanović
Kecmanović sat at a similar ranking last year (No.54) entering the US Open. He reached the second round then only thanks to Yoshihito Nishioka’s retirement early in the fifth set. This past week he reached the quarter-finals in Winston-Salem. His level swung sharply: he dismantled No.3 seed Luciano Darderi in under 16.5 games in round two, but in the very next match was brushed aside 1:6, 4:6 by world No.86 Sebastian Korda — who himself withdrew from the semi-final due to injury.
João Fonseca vs Miomir Kecmanović Prediction
With Kecmanović’s inconsistency and extra workload before New York, the fresher and fast-improving Fonseca looks better placed to progress.
