NEW YORK, AUG 31 (IANS): The opening day of the US Open 2026 delivered high drama as 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic suffered a shock first-round exit, while former champion Daniil Medvedev marked a strong return to Flushing Meadows.
Argentine Mariano Navone produced the upset of the tournament so far, defeating Djokovic in a marathon five-set battle 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The contest, lasting four hours and 36 minutes, became the longest first-round match ever at a major. Djokovic, seeded fourth and a four-time US Open winner, struggled physically under the closed roof, echoing fitness concerns that had troubled him in Cincinnati. The defeat marked his first opening-round Grand Slam loss since 2006.
In contrast, Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 champion, ensured there was no repeat of his 2025 disappointment. He defeated French qualifier Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and 14 minutes. Medvedev, who fell to Benjamin Bonzi in a chaotic opener last year, controlled the match throughout. His victory lifted him to No. 6 in the ATP Live Rankings, with a major opportunity to climb further inside the Top 10. He will next face either Sebastian Gorzny or Raphael Collignon.
Elsewhere in men’s singles, American Tommy Paul rallied past qualifier Coleman Wong 6-7(3), 6-1, 6-3, 6-3, keeping alive his bid to reach a US Open quarter-final for the first time. Croatia’s Dino Prizmic saved two match points before sealing his maiden US Open victory, while Frenchman Luca Van Assche upset 29th seed Cameron Norrie 6-7(8), 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to advance to a second-round clash with Denis Shapovalov.
Kenin downs Venus, seeds progress smoothly
Veteran American Venus Williams suffered another early Grand Slam exit, losing to compatriot Sofia Kenin 6-2, 7-6(6). Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, saved seven set points in the second set before closing out the match in one hour and 48 minutes. She will next face Jessica Pegula.
Elsewhere, seeded players largely advanced with routine wins. Elina Svitolina defeated Solana Sierra 6-1, 6-2, marking her 117th Grand Slam victory – the most by a Ukrainian in the Open Era. Marta Kostyuk, seeded 11, continued her strong season with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Storm Hunter, while Jasmine Paolini battled past Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
Ekaterina Alexandrova and Leylah Fernandez also progressed in straight sets, while former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova staged the comeback of the day. Trailing Belgium’s Hanne Vandewinkel 6-2, 5-2, she saved a match point and reeled off nine straight games to win 2-6, 7-5, 6-3. Pliskova has now reached the second round in each of her last 10 US Open appearances.
Other winners included Polina Iatcenko, Donna Vekic, Lanlana Tararudee, Lucrezia Stefanini, Wang Xinyu, Katie Boulter, and Taylah Preston.