The draw for the US Open is officially set. Portuguese tennis standout Nuno Borges faces a big challenge right away. He will play American Brandon Holt in the first round. This Grand Slam event in New York is the final major of the season. The pairings were decided today.
Borges is Portugal’s top-ranked player. He holds the world No. 42 spot in the ATP rankings. He had a strong showing here last year, reaching the Round of 16. Now, Borges will meet Holt for the very first time in their professional careers. Holt is 27 years old, from California, and ranks 111th in the world. Playing a local on their home court always adds an interesting layer to the match.
Should Borges win his opening match, his path through the tournament remains tough. He is currently the only Portuguese player to directly qualify for the main draw. His next opponent would be the winner of a clash between Denmark’s Elmer Moller and American Tommy Paul. Moller is ranked 110th. Paul, a well-known name, is the tournament’s 14th seed.
Borges, who hails from the city of Maia, knows his initial opponent. He will surely remember his match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev at Flushing Meadows in 2024. Meanwhile, two other Portuguese players are still trying to earn their way into the main draw. His compatriots, Jaime Faria and Henrique Rocha, are currently competing in the qualification rounds. They hope to join Borges in the US Open.