Daniil Medvedev and Jessica Pegula are off to a winning start at the US Open

Former champion Daniil Medvedev and American number one Jessica Pegula had a winning start at the US Open as the last Grand Slam of the year kicked off in New York. Medvedev beat French qualifier Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4, while Pegula defeated Romanian Elena-Gabriel Ruse 6-3, 6-2.

Medvedev arrived at Flushing Meadows after a frustrating start to the tournament but looked composed at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The seventh seed took control against Gaston and completed victory in two hours and 14 minutes, avoiding a repeat of his chaotic first-round exit against Benjamin Bonzi last year.

“The last few weeks have not been easy,” Medvedev said. “I’m happy that I was able to produce tennis at a high level today.”

Pegula also started her campaign with a straight sets victory, although the third seed had to work some nerves against Ruse. She missed the first nine break opportunities before finding her rhythm and eventually closing out the match in 83 minutes.

MEDVEDEV IS GRIEVING FOR HIM

Medvedev’s win was especially valuable after a tough North American swing on hard court. The 2021 champion suffered early exits in Montreal and Cincinnati and arrives in New York with doubts about his form.

PSA: Daniil Medvedev is happy to play tennis professionally until he’s *37 and a half* years old.

Yes, he arrived at that number very carefully. pic.twitter.com/aGab2ZrJbe— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2026

After those fights against Gaston, there were few marks. Medvedev used his serve and backhand to keep the qualifier under pressure, winning 83% of his first serve points and facing only one break opportunity during the match.

He will next face either Belgian Raphael Collignon or American wild card Sebastian Gorzny.

PEGULA CONTINUES STRONG SEASON

For Pegula, the opening round victory added to an already productive 2026 campaign. The American arrived in New York after reaching the Cincinnati final and has been one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour this season.

She will next face either two-time US Open champion Venus Williams or American wild card Sofia Kenin. The deep run would also give Pegula another opportunity to improve on her career-best Grand Slam finish, her second at Flushing Meadows in 2024.

KREJČÍKOVA FALLS, HOW PAOLINI SURVIVES

The opening day also brought an early upset as 27th seed Barbora Krejcikova fell to Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan 7-6(4), 6-2 after saving six match points to eventually lose.

Jasmine Paolini survived a tougher test, recovering from a second-set setback to defeat Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. The nineteenth seed will next face compatriot Lucrezia Stefanini.

The US Open is being played over a 15-day schedule for the second consecutive year, with the first round spread over three days. The tournament also offers a record $108 million, the largest in tennis history.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

31 Aug 2026 07:27 IST