Gael Monfils delivered the week's feel-good moment, celebrating his 40th birthday with a special US Open win against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in four sets to become the oldest man to win a match there since Jimmy Connors in 1992. Meanwhile, the 2026 US Open (WTA) and 2026 US Open (ATP) are well under way across both draws. Coco Gauff opened her title defense with a comfortable 6–3, 6–4 win over Zeynep Sonmez, with her serve—once a glaring weakness at this tournament—now a potent weapon. On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz advanced in his comeback from wrist injury, while Taylor Fritz cruised past Darwin Blanch in straight sets.
Elena Rybakina beat Thea Frodin 6–3, 6–2 as she pursues the world No. 1 ranking, while Madison Keys advanced on a rain-lashed afternoon. In a notable upset, Y. Putintseva defeated Belinda Bencic in the first round, while No. 5 seed Flavio Cobolli rallied from two sets down to survive. Wimbledon breakthrough Arthur Fery, however, fell flat on his US Open debut, losing 6–3, 6–3, 7–5 to 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti. The first week unfolds across rain delays and emerging storylines as the field narrows.