The 2026 US Open is off to the races, with Sunday’s main-draw kickoff delivering few surprises as top-ranked WTA stars cruised through the Grand Slam’s first round.
World No. 3 Jessica Pegula notched a straight-sets win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse. No. 9 Elina Svitolina and No. 11 Marta Kostyuk also advanced to Round 2.
“It is a little bit weird,” Pegula said of her early US Open start. “But I did kind of enjoy that I could breathe for the next couple of days. And everyone else is still freaking out about whether they’re going to win their first round.”
Sunday’s rainfall caused major delays. Tennis legend Venus Williams saw her 26th US Open cut short after falling to wildcard Sofia Kenin 6-2, 7-6 (6) well past midnight.
Mixed doubles champion No. 7 Karolína Muchová opens her singles run today. Additionally, No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 8 Iga Świątek, No. 10 Amanda Anisimova, and No. 13 Naomi Osaka top the Monday lineup. No. 4 Coco Gauff, No. 2 Elena Rybakina, No. 5 Mira Andreeva, and No. 17 Alexandra Eala subsequently headline tomorrow’s slate.
“Expectations are high. US Open can be the one you feel the most pressure at, just being an American you want to succeed,” Gauff said this week. “I just try to enjoy each and every single time I’m out here.”
US Open coverage continues today at 11 AM ET (ESPN).
