The 2026 US Open draw is loaded with first-round storylines. Stan Wawrinka’s farewell, Venus Williams vs Sofia Kenin in an all-champion wild card clash, Arthur Fils fresh off a Cincinnati title against a fading Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Aryna Sabalenka beginning her bid for a historic three-peat. I’ve picked out the 10 best opening-round matchups from both draws.
10 best men’s first-round matches at US Open 2026
With 64 first-round matches spread over three days in New York, the year’s final major has delivered some cracking matchups early on. Here are the first-round clashes I’d be tuning into for the men’s draw:
1. Alcaraz vs Safiullin
Carlos Alcaraz hasn’t played a competitive singles match since Barcelona in April. A right wrist injury wiped out his entire clay and grass season, and now he’s back to defend the title he won 12 months ago. Roman Safiullin is no soft opener – he beat Alcaraz in straight sets at the 2023 Paris Masters and takes the ball early off the return, which is exactly the type of pressure you don’t want when you’re still finding your range. Alcaraz’s timing, his wrist, his match fitness – all of it gets tested immediately.
2. Fils vs Tsitsipas
Arthur Fils is the form player of the draw. The 22-year-old Frenchman just won Cincinnati – the biggest title of his career – and he’s aggressive, athletic and playing with the kind of confidence that makes him a nightmare to face in the early rounds. Stefanos Tsitsipas is the name on the other side of the net, and while the Greek has fallen a long way from his Grand Slam final days, he’s still a player who can produce moments of brilliance.
Fils will want to make a statement. Tsitsipas will want to prove he’s still relevant. That’s a recipe for a good watch.
3. Wawrinka vs Berrettini
Stan Wawrinka’s final Grand Slam, 10 years after he won this title. Matteo Berrettini is unseeded but has one of the biggest serve-forehand combos in the game and is more than capable of dictating rallies. There’s real sentiment here, but the tennis angle is just as good – the winner is projected to face Novak Djokovic in the second round.
4. Rublev vs Cilic
Marin Cilic won this tournament in 2014. He’s 37 and well past his peak, but he knows these courts, he knows these conditions, and he’s beaten better players than Andrey Rublev on them. Rublev is the 23rd seed and has had a rough run into New York – he blew five match points against world No 281 Shang in Montreal and only made the third round in Cincinnati. If this form continues, Cilic has the experience and the serve to take full advantage.
5. Shelton vs Griekspoor
Ben Shelton’s serve is built for Flushing Meadows. The eighth seed has been in strong form this summer and is one of the Americans most likely to go deep. Tallon Griekspoor is an awkward draw, though – the Dutchman is a solid hardcourter who won’t give anything cheap. Shelton should get through, but he’ll have to work for it.
6. Jodar vs Kokkinakis
Rafael Jodar is 19, the 12th seed, and has been one of the best stories of 2026. He made the DC Open final and went deep in Montreal – the kid’s heavy forehand and composure have been turning heads all summer. Thanasi Kokkinakis has a big serve and loves a big stage. He pushed Tsitsipas to five sets here last year. Jodar’s the better player right now, but Kokkinakis won’t make it easy.
7. Tien vs Borges
Learner Tien reached the quarter-finals in Montreal and is peaking at the right time. The 14th seed is a physical beast – his defensive game wears opponents down point after point, which is exactly what works in best-of-five. Nuno Borges is solid from the baseline and doesn’t give away cheap points, so this could go long. Tien’s athleticism should tell in the end.
8. Lehecka vs Carreno Busta
Jiri Lehecka has the ceiling to trouble anyone when his serve and forehand are clicking. The Czech 18th seed has been up and down this year but has the tools to do damage on these courts. Pablo Carreno Busta is a former US Open semi-finalist who knows how to compete in best-of-five and won’t roll over. Firepower vs experience – exactly the type of first-round clash I want to watch.
9. Fritz vs Blanch
Taylor Fritz won the DC Open at the start of the month and backed it up with a fourth round in Montreal and a quarter-final in Cincinnati. The ninth seed is in strong form and has the game to go deep on these courts. Darwin Blanch is a teenager with nothing to lose and the occasion of a Grand Slam debut under the New York lights. Fritz handles this, but first rounds at slams can be nervy – especially against a fearless kid.
10. Tiafoe vs Damm
Frances Tiafoe has won 22 matches at this event since 2020 – second only to Daniil Medvedev. The 11th seed feeds off the New York crowd like few players in the sport and almost made the final here in 2022. Martin Damm is 21, the son of former doubles champion Martin Damm Sr., and an American looking to make a name for himself. The atmosphere for this one will be outstanding.
10 best women’s first-round matches at US Open 2026
Three different women have won Grand Slams this year – Elena Rybakina in Melbourne, Mirra Andreeva at Roland-Garros, Linda Noskova at Wimbledon – and none of them are the world No 1. That’s the backdrop to a women’s draw loaded with opening-round storylines.
1. Venus Williams vs Kenin
Two champions on wild cards. Venus Williams owns two US Open singles titles; Sofia Kenin won the 2020 Australian Open. Williams’ serve and first-strike game against Kenin’s early returns makes for a proper tactical battle, and the winner could face third-seeded Jessica Pegula in round two. This is the pick for best first-round atmosphere on the women’s side.
2. Andreeva vs Tjen
Mirra Andreeva won Roland-Garros in June and is a six-time WTA title holder at 19. She’s the fifth seed, one of the most exciting players in the game, and a serious title contender. Janice Tjen has been climbing the rankings and will relish the chance to test herself against a Grand Slam champion. Andreeva should be too good, but she’s exactly the type of player who starts slow and gives opponents a window.
3. Osaka vs Zakharova
Naomi Osaka is a two-time US Open champion and the 13th seed. She’s always dangerous in New York – the power, the big-match pedigree, the history she has here. Anastasia Zakharova is a young Russian who’ll be looking to make a mark. Osaka’s first serve will be the key to this one.
4. Keys vs Korneeva
Madison Keys made the US Open final in 2017 and is the 22nd seed this year. She still has one of the biggest forehands in women’s tennis, and when it’s firing, it flattens anyone. Alina Korneeva is a talented youngster who won’t be intimidated. Keys will want a fast start to settle into the tournament.
5. Alexandrova vs Kessler
Ekaterina Alexandrova beat Aryna Sabalenka in Toronto recently and has made a habit of causing top players problems at WTA 1000 events. She’s the 18th seed, with a big serve and flat groundstrokes that make her uncomfortable to play against. McCartney Kessler is a home favourite who’ll have the crowd. Alexandrova should come through, but she’s a dangerous floater in this draw.
6. Eala vs Qualifier
Alexandra Eala won her first WTA title in Washington earlier this month and arrives as the 17th seed. The Filipino has been one of the stories of the 2026 season. She’s drawn in Coco Gauff’s quarter and could face Iva Jovic in the third round. Her opponent is a qualifier, but qualifiers come with matches behind them and familiarity with the courts – they’re rarely easy.
7. Gauff vs Sonmez
Coco Gauff won Cincinnati on Saturday and arrives in New York in the best serving form of her career. She’s the fourth seed, a former champion here, and my pick for the title. Zeynep Sonmez will be outmatched on paper, but Gauff won’t want a slow start. The American will be looking to get off the court fast and preserve energy for the matches that matter.
8. Sabalenka vs Osorio
Aryna Sabalenka is chasing something Serena Williams last did between 2012 and 2014 – three consecutive US Open titles. She has the game to do it, but her form has been off. An early exit in Cincinnati raised questions, and she hasn’t looked like the dominant force of 2024 and 2025. Camila Osorio is ranked 58th and won’t be overawed. This opener will tell us a lot about where Sabalenka’s head and body are at heading into the fortnight.
9. Stephens vs Tauson
Sloane Stephens won this tournament in 2017 and is back on a wild card. She’s not the player she was, but Flushing Meadows has always brought out her best – the crowd adores her and she feeds off it. Clara Tauson is a young Dane with a big game and has been playing well on hardcourts. If Stephens isn’t sharp from the jump, Tauson has the weapons to punish her.
10. Pegula vs Ruse
Jessica Pegula is the highest-seeded American in the women’s draw at third. She lost the Cincinnati final to Gauff but the run showed she’s in excellent form heading into New York. Elena-Gabriela Ruse is a crafty Romanian who can extend rallies and disrupt rhythm. Pegula has a history of tight openers at slams, so don’t expect a blowout.
