US Open 2026 Day 5 Preview: Zverev vs. Halys, Gauff Awaits Badosa and Eala Faces Oliynykova
US Open 2026 Day 5 Preview – Thursday, September 3, 2026
The second round of the 2026 US Open takes center stage on Thursday, September 3, with several of the tournament’s biggest names looking to continue their journeys at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
Day 5 features world-class men’s and women’s tennis, with Alexander Zverev facing Quentin Halys, Coco Gauff potentially meeting Paula Badosa, and rising Filipino star Alexandra Eala taking on Oleksandra Oliynykova.
For Zverev, Thursday presents a test of recovery after an exhausting five-set opening match. For Gauff, another dangerous opponent could stand between the American and the third round. And for Eala, the match against Oliynykova provides an opportunity to avenge a defeat from earlier this season.
Here is our complete US Open 2026 Day 5 preview, including matchup analysis, players to watch and keys to victory.
Alexander Zverev vs. Quentin Halys: Can the Top Seed Recover From His Five-Set Marathon?
Prediction: Zverev in four sets
Alexander Zverev may be the No. 1 seed at the 2026 US Open, but his road through New York nearly ended before it truly began.
Zverev survived an extraordinary first-round battle against Lorenzo Sonego, prevailing 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 after nearly five hours of tennis. Sonego came within two points of eliminating the German before Zverev fought his way back into the contest.
The victory was another reminder of the resilience Zverev has developed during a breakthrough 2026 season.
After finally capturing his first Grand Slam singles championship at Roland Garros, Zverev reached the Wimbledon final and entered the US Open as the top seed. He has become one of the most consistent men’s players at the majors, but his lengthy encounter with Sonego creates an interesting storyline heading into Thursday.
How much energy does Zverev have left?
Halys Has the Weapons to Make Zverev Work
Quentin Halys should not be viewed as a routine second-round opponent.
The Frenchman defeated Facundo Diaz Acosta 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-1 in his opening match and possesses the type of explosive serve and aggressive first-strike tennis that can be particularly effective on the hard courts in New York.
The problem for Halys is that Zverev already knows exactly what to expect.
The pair have met twice in 2026, and Zverev has won both encounters.
Their first meeting came at the Miami Open, where Zverev prevailed 7-6, 7-6. They met again during Zverev’s championship run at Roland Garros, with the German winning 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.
That gives Zverev a 2-0 career advantage over Halys entering their US Open encounter.
Keys to the Match
Zverev’s first priority will be protecting his service games and avoiding another physically draining contest.
Halys will look to shorten points with his serve and forehand, but Zverev’s ability to absorb pace from behind the baseline could eventually expose the Frenchman’s consistency.
If Halys serves exceptionally well, tiebreaks could become a major factor — exactly as they did when the two played in Miami.
Zverev remains the clear favorite, but after spending nearly five hours on court against Sonego, Halys has every reason to test the top seed physically from the opening game.
Prediction: Alexander Zverev def. Quentin Halys in four sets.
Coco Gauff vs. Paula Badosa: Potential Blockbuster Women’s Second-Round Match
Prediction: Gauff in three sets
One of the most intriguing potential matches of US Open Day 5 features Coco Gauff against Paula Badosa.
Gauff has already booked her place in the second round after defeating Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez 6-3, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The American produced an encouraging performance, particularly behind her serve.
Badosa, meanwhile, must officially complete her first-round match against Daria Kasatkina before the matchup is confirmed.
The Spaniard was leading Kasatkina 6-1, 5-3 when their match was suspended, leaving her within touching distance of a place opposite Gauff in Round 2.
Should Badosa finish the job, it would create one of the most compelling early-round matches in the women’s draw.
Gauff’s Serve Will Be Under the Microscope
The encouraging sign for Gauff against Sonmez was the performance of her serve and forehand.
Gauff struck five aces and won 13 of 14 first-serve points in the opening set. She also saved four of five break points in the second set while finishing the match with 18 winners.
Those numbers matter because Gauff’s serve has often been the shot opponents target when pressure builds.
Against Badosa, maintaining a high first-serve percentage and limiting second-serve opportunities will be crucial.
Badosa is an aggressive returner who likes to establish herself on top of the baseline. If she can consistently attack Gauff’s second serve, the Spaniard can make this match extremely uncomfortable.
Baseline Battle Could Decide the Match
Tactically, this potential matchup should revolve around court positioning.
Badosa possesses enough power to dictate exchanges when she is able to set her feet. Gauff, however, remains one of the best defensive athletes in women’s tennis and can turn seemingly lost points into neutral rallies.
The American should look to extend exchanges, use her speed to force Badosa into additional shots and then transition from defense to offense when opportunities appear.
Gauff also carries enormous experience in this environment.
The 2023 US Open champion knows exactly what it takes to navigate the pressure of Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the New York crowd will be firmly behind her.
If Gauff controls her service games, her movement and defensive abilities could ultimately prove decisive.
Prediction: Coco Gauff def. Paula Badosa in three sets, if Badosa advances.
Alexandra Eala vs. Oleksandra Oliynykova: Revenge Opportunity for the Filipino Star
Prediction: Eala in three sets
Few players have generated more excitement over the past 12 months than Alexandra Eala.
The 21-year-old Filipino entered the US Open as the No. 17 seed and immediately demonstrated why she has become one of the fastest-rising players in women’s tennis.
Eala overwhelmed American qualifier Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round inside Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The performance was comprehensive.
Eala won 84 percent of her first-serve points in the opening set, saved all six break points she faced during the match and converted four of eight opportunities on Stoiana’s serve.
Next comes a much more complicated assignment.
Oliynykova Already Knows How to Beat Eala
Oleksandra Oliynykova advanced by defeating American Reese Brantmeier 6-4, 6-4 in the first round.
More importantly, Oliynykova has already defeated Eala this season.
The two met in Strasbourg earlier in 2026, where Eala captured the opening set before Oliynykova battled back for a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory.
That result immediately gives Thursday’s rematch another layer of intrigue.
Eala is now playing at a considerably higher level and arrives in New York after a breakthrough season that has transformed her standing on the WTA Tour.
She reached the fourth round at Wimbledon earlier this summer and defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek during that run. Her climb into the Top 20 has made her the highest-seeded Filipino player in Grand Slam history.
Eala’s Aggression Will Be Crucial
Eala was dominant against Stoiana because she controlled the important points without becoming reckless.
That balance will be important against Oliynykova.
The Ukrainian has already shown that she can absorb Eala’s pace, extend rallies and turn a match around when the Filipino’s level dips.
Eala should look to dictate with her left-handed forehand, attack second serves and prevent Oliynykova from settling into extended neutral exchanges.
There is also the New York factor.
Eala has developed a passionate following among the Filipino community in New York, creating one of the most energetic atmospheres outside the traditional American stars.
The 2022 US Open girls’ singles champion has repeatedly spoken about the support she receives in New York, and another large crowd should give Thursday’s encounter the atmosphere of a much later-round match.
The matchup won’t be straightforward, but Eala’s current form suggests she is ready to reverse the Strasbourg result.
Prediction: Alexandra Eala def. Oleksandra Oliynykova in three sets.
US Open 2026 Day 5 Matches to Watch
Thursday’s second-round action should provide another fascinating day at Flushing Meadows.
Alexander Zverev vs. Quentin Halys puts the men’s No. 1 seed against a dangerous power player just two days after Zverev survived one of the longest opening-round matches of his Grand Slam career.
Coco Gauff could face Paula Badosa in a heavyweight women’s matchup, provided Badosa completes her first-round victory over Kasatkina.
And Alexandra Eala vs. Oleksandra Oliynykova provides one of Day 5’s most intriguing rematches, with Eala attempting to avenge her three-set Strasbourg defeat while continuing her remarkable rise through women’s tennis.
At this stage of the US Open, the tournament begins to change.
First-round nerves disappear. The draw starts narrowing. The contenders begin separating themselves from the field.
For Zverev, Gauff and Eala, Thursday represents another important step toward the second week in New York.
2026 US Open Day 5 Predictions
- Alexander Zverev def. Quentin Halys in four sets
- Coco Gauff def. Paula Badosa in three sets, if Badosa advances
- Alexandra Eala def. Oleksandra Oliynykova in three sets
The 2026 US Open continues Thursday, September 3 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
