Round 2 of the US Open comes to a conclusion on Day 5. After Shapovalov got the win in straight sets yesterday, Ace is back with another preview and best bet - this time on an Australian!
Check out his preview and best bet below, and support our FREE content by signing up for an account at Dabble!
2026 US Open Betting Tips - De Minaur vs Van De Zandschulp
Approx 5am Friday AEST
Alex de Minaur got his US Open campaign underway in fairly comfortable fashion on Day 4, and I am backing the Australian to continue that form today as he takes on Botic Van De Zandschulp for a place in the third round.
Outside of a service break midway through the third set, there wasn't much to comment negatively about with respect to De Minaur's opening-round performance against Andrea Guerrieri, eventually coming through 6-2 6-2 6-4 in a match impacted by rain delays before and during the match. He was clearly the better player throughout, and importantly for this bet, when he did get on top of a set he was able to put some distance between himself and his opponent. The close out was also better than we have seen from him in recent matches against the likes of Norrie and Fery, where he found himself in dominant positions and couldn't close out.
He faces a much more experienced and capable player today in Botic Van De Zandschulp, and I certainly don't want to completely dismiss the form of the Dutchman. He has put together some very good tennis across the North American hardcourt swing, including wins over Daniil Medvedev and Hubert Hurkacz in Montreal, and also defeated Luciano Darderi and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in Winston-Salem. The issue for me with BVDZ though is for every win like the dominant one over Darderi, there then comes a poor loss, this time against Bonzi as a sub-$1.50 favourite.
This is the best player Botic has faced across the North American hardcourt swing, and I also think it looks to be his toughest match-up stylistically. He does have the ability to redline, and if he does I will tip my cap and accept that for what it is. However, with De Minaur leading the head-to-head 4-0, he is comfortably the player I trust more to maintain his level across the best-of-five-set format.
At -5.5 games, I think there are enough pathways for De Minaur to cover across three or four sets without needing him to dominate from start to finish. I am happy to bet the Australian at the current number for 2 units.
De Minaur -5.5
$1.80 (2.5 Units)
