The 2025 U.S. Open is already serving up some tantalizing matchups, but few have tennis fans buzzing quite like the second-round clash between Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti and Belgium’s David Goffin. Scheduled for August 28 at the iconic Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York, this early fixture promises a fascinating blend of youthful ambition and veteran savvy. With both players eager to shake off recent struggles and stake their claim in the draw, anticipation is sky-high as the action gets underway at 11:00 AM Eastern.
Musetti, just 23 years old and seeded No. 10, enters the contest with plenty to prove. After a meteoric rise earlier in the season that saw him reach a career-high world ranking of No. 6—thanks to a final in Monte Carlo and semifinal runs in Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros—the Italian’s momentum has slowed. Injuries, particularly a nagging leg issue that forced him to retire against Carlos Alcaraz in Paris, have hampered his progress. Disappointing early exits at Wimbledon and in key hard-court tournaments like Washington, Toronto, and Cincinnati have added to the frustration.
Still, Musetti’s talent on hard courts is undeniable. He’s served 66 aces this year and boasts an impressive 80% win rate on his service games on this surface in 2025. Musetti’s flashy, creative play and deep stance have earned him a reputation as a clay-court virtuoso, but his evolving hard-court prowess is turning heads. His opening-round victory over France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, a 3-1 win, showed glimpses of the form that took him to the Paris Olympics podium earlier this summer.
On the other side of the net stands David Goffin, a 34-year-old Belgian with a storied career and a reputation for resilience. Once ranked as high as World No. 7 and a former ATP World Tour Finals runner-up, Goffin’s experience is second to none. He’s notched six career singles titles and was a familiar face in the Top 10 during his prime. However, 2025 has been a grind for the Belgian, who has battled injuries and seen his ranking slip to around No. 63 (with some sources listing him at No. 80).
Goffin’s hard-court record this season stands at 6-13, though he’s managed a few bright spots, including a quarterfinal run in Munich and a Round of 16 appearance in Gstaad. In his first-round match at this year’s U.S. Open, Goffin showed grit to overcome Quentin Halys in four sets: 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-3, 7-5. While his best days may be behind him, Goffin remains a dangerous opponent, especially on the big stage. He’s reached the fourth round in New York four times, a testament to his ability to rise to the occasion.
The head-to-head history between Musetti and Goffin adds another layer of intrigue. The pair have met four times professionally, with Musetti leading the series 3-1. Notably, two of those encounters came at Grand Slam events, both won by the Italian. Goffin’s lone victory came at the 2024 Shanghai Masters, where he staged a comeback from a set down to win 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-2. Their last meeting at the U.S. Open, back in 2022, was a five-set thriller that Musetti narrowly claimed.
For both men, today’s match is about more than just advancing to the Round of 32. For Musetti, it’s a chance to reassert himself as a genuine title contender on all surfaces, not just clay. For Goffin, it’s an opportunity to remind the tennis world that his competitive fire still burns bright, even if the odds are stacked against him. The winner will face either Italy’s Flavio Cobolli or American Jenson Brooksby, adding further incentive to dig deep in what promises to be a closely contested battle.
Predictions from the betting markets heavily favor Musetti, with BetMGM giving the Italian an 86% chance to progress. Experts suggest the match could go four sets, citing Musetti’s superior fitness and recent form. “While there is potential for the Belgian to make inroads in backhand to backhand exchanges, it is unlikely that there will be an upset,” one analyst noted, reinforcing the sense that Musetti’s all-court game and youthful energy could be decisive.
Broadcast coverage for the match is extensive, reflecting its high-profile status. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN, which begins its whip-around coverage at 11:30 AM Eastern. ESPN+ subscribers have the added perk of dedicated match feeds via the ESPN app and website. European viewers aren’t left out either, with Sky’s tennis channels, Sky Go, Now TV, and the Super Tennis channel all offering live and streaming access. The global spotlight is firmly on Louis Armstrong Stadium as these two seasoned competitors take center stage.
Both players’ journeys to this point have been marked by adversity. Musetti’s struggles with injury and inconsistent results have tested his resolve, but his ability to bounce back—evidenced by his triumph over Mpetshi Perricard and his continued hard-court improvements—suggests he’s ready for the challenge. Goffin, meanwhile, has weathered a difficult season but remains a threat thanks to his experience, tactical intelligence, and capacity to perform under pressure.
Looking at their respective records, Musetti stands at 27-12 for the year, while Goffin is at 9-16. Musetti’s career win-loss record is 159-123, compared to Goffin’s 355-269. While neither player has captured a title in 2025, Musetti’s run to the final in Monte Carlo and his Olympic bronze have kept his confidence afloat. Goffin, despite his slide in the rankings, has shown flashes of his old self and will be eager to make a statement in New York.
As the clock ticks toward the opening serve, the tennis world waits to see if youth or experience will prevail. Will Musetti’s dynamic baseline play and newfound hard-court confidence carry him through, or can Goffin draw on his years of top-level competition to engineer an upset? With a place in the third round and a potential showdown against Cobolli or Brooksby on the line, every point will matter.
Whatever the outcome, today’s match is a reminder of what makes Grand Slam tennis so compelling: the blend of past and present, the clash of styles, and the ever-present possibility of surprise. As Musetti and Goffin take to the court, all eyes will be on Louis Armstrong Stadium, where another chapter in their rivalry—and in the story of the 2025 U.S. Open—is about to be written.
