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Main draw play gets underway at the US Open, with Jessica Pegula playing early

PUBLISHED Aug 30, 2026, 12:47 PM ET

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The U.S. Open began its 2026 main draw Sunday in New York, with Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Daniil Medvedev and seeded players opening their campaigns. Pegula, the No. 3 seed, was scheduled to play Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse at noon on Arthur Ashe Stadium, followed by Medvedev against Hugo Gaston. Paolini, seeded 19th, opened against Veronika Erjavec at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Four-time champion Novak Djokovic was scheduled for Sunday night against Argentina’s Mariano Navone as he pursues a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title. Djokovic entered after an early Cincinnati Open loss earlier this month. Venus Williams was scheduled to close Ashe against fellow American Sofia Kenin. Venus and Serena Williams are also entered together in doubles. The tournament runs through Sept. 13 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The WTA schedule confirms the event is underway, while Reuters reported a record $108 million purse for this year’s tournament.

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On August 18, 2026, Venus Williams received tournament wild card.
On August 22, 2026, Sofia Kenin received women's wild card.
On August 23, 2026, Gauff defeated Pegula in Cincinnati final.
On August 15, 2026, Djokovic lost his Cincinnati opener early.
On August 27, 2026, WTA announced Open dates and seeds.
On August 28, 2026, qualifying matches continued before main-draw competition.
On August 30, 2026, main-draw play began across New York.
On August 30, 2026, Paolini was playing Erjavec in matches.
On August 30, 2026, Pegula was playing Ruse at Ashe.
On August 30, 2026, Medvedev faced Gaston following Pegula's match.
On August 30, 2026, Djokovic was scheduled against Navone tonight.
On August 30, 2026, Venus Williams faced Kenin in primetime.
On August 30, 2026, Serena and Venus planned doubles together.
In coming days, seeded players will advance or exit unpredictably.
By September 6, remaining second-week contenders will become increasingly clear.
By September 12, women's champion will emerge after semifinal rounds.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: American fans gain access to marquee tennis.
Possible long-term US impact: Strong tournament interest could support tennis participation.
Reader priority: Readers should prioritize official scores, tournament statements, and reputable reporting.
Most Affected: players, coaches, fans, broadcasters, sponsors, and businesses nationwide.