The 2026 US Open (ATP) and 2026 US Open (WTA) opened this week to dramatic early-round action and mounting off-court tensions. Defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz rebounded from a set down by winning eight straight games to beat Jaime Faria 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2, signaling a strong injury comeback as the tournament progresses. No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka overwhelmed Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in 53 minutes, though she angrily reacted to a journalist's question about her recent form. On the men's side, No. 8 seed Ben Shelton defeated Hubert Hurkacz in four sets to reach the third round, while No. 7 Daniil Medvedev dominated Sebastian Gorzny 6-3, 6-3, 7-5. No.
3 seed Jessica Pegula cruised past Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1 in 56 minutes, and Michael Zheng won his US Open debut in what marked a full circle for the former Ivy League star. British No. 1 Katie Boulter crashed out in the second round, losing to Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-0 in just 58 minutes. The tournament, however, is shadowed by logistics and rule concerns: Martina Navratilova called tennis "crazy" for allowing late-night matches after staging drama, and a record 24 players have withdrawn before their opening matches due to injuries and scheduling conflicts. Continuing rain has delayed play and compounded the backlog, adding pressure to both draws as the tournament heads into early rounds.