World number three Jessica Pegula overcame her first-round nerves at the US Open on Sunday, defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse in straight sets on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The American broke Ruse twice in each set to secure a 6-3, 6-2 victory, although the scoreline did not fully reflect Pegula’s nervy start as she admitted feeling the pressure of opening the tournament on the sport’s biggest stage.

“Oh yeah, I was so nervous today, always the first round of a slam,” Pegula said after the match.

The 32-year-old is the highest-ranked American player in either the men’s or women’s singles draw at this year’s final Grand Slam.

She also described being selected to play the opening match on Ashe as a major honour.

“It’s an amazing honour,” Pegula said. “It’s an honour to hold that title, walking out onto Ashe opening day, first match, it’s amazing.”

Pegula is still searching for her first Grand Slam title. Her best result at a major came at the 2024 US Open, where she reached the final before losing to Aryna Sabalenka. She was beaten by the Belarusian again in last year’s semi-final.

Pegula had to work hard to establish control against Ruse. She saved the only break point she faced but struggled to take advantage of her own opportunities, converting just two of 14 break points in the opening set.

She was much more clinical in the second, taking two of four break chances to move comfortably towards victory.

Pegula created three match points with a sharp forehand winner into the corner. Ruse saved the first two with powerful serves, but the Romanian eventually sent a forehand into the net to hand Pegula the win.

With the US Open first round being played across three days this year, Pegula can now enjoy some time away from competition before returning to action.

“I get to sit around the site and watch everybody else freak out for the next two days,” she joked.

Medvedev moves through

Former champion Daniil Medvedev also made a winning start in New York, with the seventh seed beating France’s Hugo Gaston in straight sets.

Medvedev recorded a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 victory to book his place in the second round and continue his bid for another deep run at Flushing Meadows.

However, the tournament has already seen several notable withdrawals.

2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic was forced to pull out of the tournament because of injury, while Casper Ruud, the 2022 runner-up and 19th seed, also withdrew from the singles draw.

Ruud had competed in the mixed doubles event the previous week but said he had not recovered sufficiently from a back injury to compete in the singles.

Elsewhere, Kamilla Rakhimova produced one of the biggest upsets of the day, defeating two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova.

The 88th-ranked Uzbekistani won 7-6(4), 6-2, eventually sealing victory on her seventh match point in a dramatic final game.

Three-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini also advanced in her first match since a foot injury forced her to miss Wimbledon.

Paolini defeated Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to move into the next round.

Meanwhile, Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko staged an impressive comeback against Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, winning 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(7) after three hours and 27 minutes.

The 22-year-old overcame 85 unforced errors and battled through a right-leg problem that required several medical timeouts before completing the comeback.

US Open 2026

The US Open is the fourth and final Grand Slam of the tennis season, taking place from August 30 to September 13 at Flushing Meadows in New York.

Played on hard courts, the tournament brings together the world’s best players as they compete for one of tennis’s most prestigious titles.