U.S. Open Opens In New York With Major Upsets And Strong American Performances

The year's final Grand Slam tournament immediately produced a result that will stand among the most significant stories of the opening round: Argentina's Mariano Navone defeated fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic in five sets, 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The match lasted more than four and a half hours and marked the first time Djokovic had lost in the opening round of the U.S. Open.

Djokovic entered the tournament as a four-time U.S. Open champion and 24-time Grand Slam winner. He had previously won his opening-round match in New York 19 consecutive times. His defeat also ended his attempt to claim a fifth U.S. Open championship and a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.

Navone's victory came after a physically demanding contest in difficult conditions. Djokovic experienced physical problems during the match, while Navone maintained his level through the final two sets to complete the biggest upset of the first day. The result gives the Argentine a place in the second round and immediately changes the landscape of the men's draw.

The opening day also provided encouraging results for American tennis. Third-seeded Jessica Pegula began her tournament with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Pegula, who has reached the later stages of the U.S. Open in recent years, now moves into the second round with momentum behind her.

Pegula's victory is particularly notable because she entered the tournament with an opportunity to make further progress in the rankings. She has recorded one of the strongest win totals on the women's tour this season and has collected multiple tournament victories and finals appearances. A deep run in New York could therefore strengthen her position among the leading players in women's tennis.

Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, also advanced. The seventh seed defeated France's Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Medvedev arrived in New York after an uneven North American hard-court swing, making his straightforward opening-round performance an important start to his campaign.

Other notable winners included ninth-seeded Elina Svitolina, who defeated Argentina's Solana Sierra 6-1, 6-2, and 19th-seeded Jasmine Paolini, who overcame Slovenia's Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. American Tommy Paul also advanced after recovering from a first-set loss to defeat Hong Kong's Coleman Wong in four sets.

The women's draw produced another significant upset when Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova defeated 27th-seeded Barbora Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, 7-6(4), 6-2. The result made Krejcikova one of the highest-seeded players to leave the women's singles competition on the opening day.

Weather also played a role in the opening day's schedule. Rain interrupted play on several outside courts, forcing a number of matches to be carried over to Monday. Competition continued inside Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, allowing the headline matches to proceed despite interruptions elsewhere at the complex.

The tournament's opening day was also marked by withdrawals. Former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic withdrew because of injury, while Casper Ruud also pulled out with an injury. Their departures further altered an already competitive men's field.

For New York, the start of the U.S. Open represents the arrival of one of the city's biggest annual sporting events. The tournament attracts athletes, spectators and international attention to Queens during the final weeks of summer and remains one of the most prominent sporting events on the city's annual calendar.

For tennis fans nationally and internationally, Sunday's results provided an immediate reminder of the unpredictability of Grand Slam competition. Established champions can depart early, while less familiar contenders can quickly become central figures in the tournament.

More major names are scheduled to begin their singles campaigns Monday, including defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka and defending men's champion Carlos Alcaraz. Their arrival means the tournament is only beginning to reveal its shape.

The clearest takeaway from opening day is that the 2026 U.S. Open has already delivered the uncertainty that defines Grand Slam tennis. Djokovic's unexpected elimination, Pegula's strong start and several seeded players advancing or falling have created an eventful beginning in New York.

With the second round approaching, the tournament now moves forward without one of its most decorated competitors and with opportunities remaining for new contenders to emerge. The opening day has established an unpredictable tone for the two-week competition, setting the stage for further developments as the world's top players continue their campaigns in Queens.