Valentin Vacherot vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest US Open Odds for Monday, August 31st
Valentin Vacherot and Aleksandar Kovacevic meet in the opening round of the US Open on Monday, August 31 in one of the tightest matches on the board. Vacherot owns the higher ranking, but Kovacevic returns to New York after an excellent Winston-Salem run and gets another opportunity to capitalize on home conditions.
Peter Alexis - August 31, 2026, 10:40 AM EDT
4 Minute ReadValentin Vacherot vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic Prediction: Can Kovacevic Pick Up First Round Win in Front of Home Fans on Monday?
Vacherot and Kovacevic are scheduled for a 11:00 AM ET start on Court 11. Vacherot is a slight -119 favorite, with Kovacevic sitting at -106 in a matchup the market essentially prices as a coin flip.
Kovacevic enters with significantly better immediate hard-court momentum. The American reached the Winston-Salem quarterfinals last week after winning three consecutive matches in straight sets, including victories over Luca Van Assche and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Valentin Vacherot vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic Odds
- Moneyline: Vacherot (-115), Kovacevic (-105)
Valentin Vacherot vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Monday, August 31st, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN, ESPN Unlimited
Click here for complete Valentin Vacherot vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic Odds
Valentin Vacherot vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic Prediction
The Tsitsipas performance was particularly impressive. Kovacevic won 6-3, 7-6 and completely dominated the second-set tiebreak 7-1, backing up a summer in which he also scored a Cincinnati victory over Karen Khachanov. He ultimately lost to Arthur Fery in three sets, but not before taking the opening set 6-3.
Vacherot has developed into the more highly ranked player and enters around No. 19 in the world, so this is hardly a comfortable matchup. He has already reached a career high around No. 17 and has the consistency to make Kovacevic work through long stretches from the baseline.
The head-to-head offers little separation. They have split two previous meetings 1-1, with Kovacevic winning their 2024 Madrid encounter 6-4, 6-2 before Vacherot answered 7-5, 7-6 at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger the following week. Neither meeting came under circumstances quite like Monday's best-of-five match in New York.
That is where the value shifts toward Kovacevic. He comes in already dialed into North American hard courts, has just beaten a former World No. 3 and has repeatedly handled pressure sets over the past few weeks. The American crowd should only add to that confidence if the match becomes tight.
Valentin Vacherot vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic Best Bet
- Best Bet: Aleksandar Kovacevic Moneyline -106 Check out the best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
At -106, there is almost no premium required to back the home player. Vacherot may have the stronger ranking, but Kovacevic's recent level has been good enough to beat players considerably more accomplished than Monday's opponent. Take the current form over the ranking number.
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