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Rain Disrupts US Open; Top Seeds Survive Dramatic Early Matches

Persistent showers have pushed marquee play into the two roofed stadiums, concentrating fatigue and schedule pressure that could shape contenders’ runs.

Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 2, 2026 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka shakes hands with Russia's Polina Iatcenko after winning her second round match REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid
Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 2, 2026 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after winning her second round match against Russia's Polina Iatcenko IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Robert Deutsch
Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 2, 2026 Ben Shelton of the U.S. shakes hands with Poland's Hubert Hurkacz after winning their second round match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Robert Deutsch
Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - September 1, 2026 Coco Gauff of the U.S. celebrates after winning her first round match against Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Robert Deutsch

Overview

  • Persistent rain at Flushing Meadows has forced repeated suspensions and cancellations and left a backlog of first‑round matches to be completed, putting organizers on a tight catch‑up schedule by Wednesday.
  • Top seed Alexander Zverev narrowly escaped a near five‑hour, five‑set opener against Lorenzo Sonego to reach the second round, a late‑night match that tested his fitness and may shorten his recovery window.
  • Third‑ranked Jessica Pegula and former champion Daniil Medvedev both moved into the third round with straight‑set wins while American Ben Shelton advanced after a four‑set victory, giving several top players a clear path forward.
  • Second seed Elena Rybakina beat Thea Frodin to advance but commentators raised concerns about a recent Achilles flare‑up and limited movement that could matter for her challenge to Aryna Sabalenka’s No. 1 ranking.
  • Fan favorites and storylines are building under the roofs as Gaël Monfils won on his 40th birthday, Alexandra Eala impressed, and defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka were scheduled for night sessions that will reveal their form after the disruptions.