Tennis Today – Matches on September 5
The field is shrinking noticeably! I’ve got some fresh US Open tips for you today on six of the eight matches taking place overseas between Saturday and Sunday morning German time.
Below is a quick rundown of my six favorites. Of course, I’ve also taken a closer look at the highly anticipated matchup between Zverev and Tabilo here in Germany.
Tennis Picks Today – September 5, 2026: Will Zverev Go to a Fifth Set?
I’m bringing you my best US Open picks again today for the men’s competition in New York, because I’m just all in on this tournament.
My sleep schedule could be better, but twice a year—during the Grand Slams in Melbourne and New York—European tennis fans just have to bravely power through the night.
In the meantime, I’ve checked out both established and new sportsbooks to find out where I can score the highest payouts for the six tennis bets I have in mind.
US Open Picks Today, September 5: Fritz – Cerundolo (5:30 p.m.)
I see the third-round matchup between Taylor Fritz and Francisco Cerundolo as a clear-cut win for the American, as the subtle differences in court surface advantage and physicality will be extremely noticeable.
Although their head-to-head record stands at 1-1, both matches took place on Cerundolo’s beloved clay court. On the fast hard courts at Flushing Meadows, Fritz clearly has the upper hand, as he impressively demonstrated in the second round with a dominant 6-0, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Bellucci.
With over 89% of points won on his first serve, the No. 9 seed serves with extreme consistency. Cerundolo, on the other hand, had to battle through a grueling five-set match against Jan-Lennard Struff, expending a great deal of energy in the process…
As soon as Fritz picks up the pace with his powerful forehand, the Argentine is forced onto the defensive and comes under immense pressure, subsequently committing several unforced errors. I’m therefore predicting a commanding victory for Taylor Fritz.
My prediction: A 3-0 win is very much possible!
US Open betting tonight: Blockx – Cobolli (6:30 p.m.)
I expect the third-round thriller between Alexander Blockx and Flavio Cobolli to be the next big drama on the New York hard courts.
As the No. 31 seed, Cobolli has already given it his all on the court and had to battle through two grueling four-set matches.
The Italian thrives on his fighting spirit from the defensive, but that’s exactly where Blockx strikes: With razor-sharp angles, he neutralizes Cobolli’s backhand and, on the fast surface, simply doesn’t give him time to counter.
My prediction: Cobolli’s energy is all but depleted after the early rounds!
US Open today: Darderi – Sweeny (8:00 p.m.)
Darderi is storming through New York with powerful groundstrokes, but he keeps getting in his own way.
His dramatic “racket-smashing outburst” in Round 2 against Svrcina showed once again how quickly the Italian loses his composure on hard courts when the points don’t come easily.
Sweeny, on the other hand, brings fantastic court coverage to the table, plays with immense patience, and will keep the rallies flat to force Darderi into precisely those energy-sapping unforced errors.
As soon as Sweeny keeps the opening set close and entangles Darderi in long rallies, the favorite’s emotional balance will quickly tip into the negative.
My pick: I’m betting on the upset!
US Open Prediction Today: Zheng – Gea (8:00 p.m.)
American Zheng has the New York crowd behind him and is brimming with confidence after his thrilling victories over Fabian Marozsán and Bu Yunchaokete.
Zheng scores almost at will with his first serve in particular and also hits uncompromising shots from the baseline.
Gea is also storming through the tournament, but he expends significantly more energy in the rallies and tends to make more errors when under constant pressure on his second serve.
In my opinion, Zheng will quickly take control from the baseline—especially in front of his home crowd—and wear down Gea’s defensive wall.
My pick: I’m betting on a win for Michael Zheng!
US Open Bets Today, September 5: Mensik – Tien (1:00 a.m.)
Mensik definitely has what it takes to really give Learner Tien a run for his money. If he goes all out from the start and plays his best tennis, he has the best chance of winning this match.
But as soon as the match drags on and goes to four or five sets, Tien clearly has the advantage.
He’s simply fit enough for a grueling battle like this, knows the conditions inside and out, and adapts superbly to his opponent. The longer the match goes on, the more likely he is to come out on top.
My pick: The Czech will have the upper hand early on!
US Open Picks Tonight: Zverev – Tabilo (2:30 a.m.)
This is by no means a sure thing for Zverev. If he continues to look shaky like he has lately and Tabilo has a great day, the Chilean has enough class to really hurt him—far more so than Zverev’s first two opponents.
And since the German has already had to go to a deciding set twice, I’m actually tempted to bet on Tabilo here, as the risk-reward ratio is simply outstanding!
My pick: The 6-to-1 odds on a Tabilo win are pretty generous!
