Former champion Daniil Medvedev and American star Jessica Pegula kicked off their US Open campaigns with convincing straight-set wins in New York. While Medvedev overcame a challenging lead-up to defeat Hugo Gaston, Pegula overcame early nerves to down Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Meanwhile, the tournament witnessed its first major upset as 27th seed Barbora Krejcikova crashed out.
- Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev defeated French qualifier Hugo Gaston in straight sets to advance to the second round.
- American third seed Jessica Pegula overcame early break-point struggles to beat Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
- The opening day saw a major upset with 27th seed Barbora Krejcikova falling to Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova.
The 2026 US Open commenced with high-octane action at Flushing Meadows, New York, as former champion Daniil Medvedev and American No. 1 Jessica Pegula registered commanding straight-set victories to launch their campaigns. Playing under the bright lights of the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, both players demonstrated why they are considered formidable contenders for the final Grand Slam of the year, providing a thrilling spectacle for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.
For Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, the 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 victory over French qualifier Hugo Gaston brought immense relief. The seventh-seeded Russian had entered the tournament on the heels of a disappointing North American hard-court swing, suffering early exits in both Montreal and Cincinnati. However, his performance on the blue courts of New York showed no signs of his recent struggles, as he wrapped up the match in two hours and 14 minutes.
Medvedev’s tactical superiority was evident throughout the encounter. Utilizing his powerful serve and signature deep baseline play, he won an impressive 83% of his first-serve points and successfully neutralized Gaston's unorthodox drop shots. This clinical display allowed Medvedev to avoid a repeat of last year's disappointing first-round exit and set up a second-round clash with either Belgium's Raphael Collignon or American wildcard Sebastian Gorzny.
| Player | Opponent | Score | Match Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniil Medvedev | Hugo Gaston (FRA) | 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 | 2 hours 14 minutes |
| Jessica Pegula | Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU) | 6-3, 6-2 | 1 hour 23 minutes |
On the women's side, third seed Jessica Pegula continued her stellar 2026 run by dispatching Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2. Despite the straightforward scoreline, Pegula had to battle through intense opening-set nerves, failing to convert her first nine break-point opportunities. Once she broke the deadlock, however, the American found her rhythm, dominating the baseline rallies to close out the match in 83 minutes.
Why This Matters
A deep dive by BozokMedia analysis shows that early-round stability is crucial in a tournament that features a record-breaking $108 million prize purse. For players like Medvedev and Pegula, navigating the high-pressure environment of the opening rounds without dropping sets preserves vital physical and mental energy required for the grueling second week of a Grand Slam.
"Medvedev's ability to reset after a poor warm-up swing proves his elite championship mentality, while Pegula's resilience under early pressure solidifies her status as a home-crowd favorite."
While the top stars shined, the opening day was not without drama. The tournament witnessed its first major seed casualty as 27th seed Barbora Krejcikova fell to Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova in a tense encounter ending 7-6(4), 6-2. Conversely, 19th seed Jasmine Paolini showed immense grit, recovering from a second-set lapse to defeat Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who will Daniil Medvedev play in the second round?
A1: Medvedev will face either Belgian player Raphael Collignon or American wildcard Sebastian Gorzny in the second round.
Q2: What is Jessica Pegula's best career result at the US Open?
A2: Jessica Pegula's best result at Flushing Meadows was reaching the final in 2024, where she finished as the runner-up.
