US Open 2026: Alcaraz Returns, Djokovic Stunned & Sabalenka Wins

The US Open 2026 has barely begun and the final Grand Slam of the tennis season has already produced one of the biggest shocks of the year.

Novak Djokovic is out. Defending men's champion Carlos Alcaraz is back after a lengthy injury layoff. Aryna Sabalenka has begun her attempt to win a remarkable third consecutive women's title, while Iga Swiatek opened with an emphatic straight-sets victory.

For South African tennis followers, it means there is plenty to watch as the tournament moves from the opening round into the business end of the first week.

The US Open main draw runs from 30 August to 13 September 2026 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. This guide covers the major results so far, the players shaping each draw and the key storylines to follow this week.

US Open 2026 at a glance

Detail	2026 US Open
Tournament	US Open
Venue	USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York
Main draw	30 August – 13 September 2026
Surface	Outdoor hard court
Men's defending champion	Carlos Alcaraz
Women's defending champion	Aryna Sabalenka
Women's No. 1 seed	Aryna Sabalenka
Men's leading seed	Alexander Zverev
Second round	2–3 September
Third round	4–5 September
Fourth round	6–7 September

The extended schedule means the singles first round is spread across three days. For South African viewers, New York is six hours behind SAST in early September, so the later Arthur Ashe Stadium sessions can run deep into the South African night.

Djokovic shock changes the men's draw

The headline result of the opening weekend was Mariano Navone's five-set victory over Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic arrived in New York chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, but his campaign ended in the first round. Navone won 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 after four hours and 36 minutes.

The result was significant beyond the identity of the player beaten. According to Reuters, it was Djokovic's earliest Grand Slam defeat since 2006. The 39-year-old struggled physically during the match, with illness, back and shoulder problems and cramping affecting him as the contest progressed.

That removes one of the most experienced hard-court players in history from Alcaraz's side of the title conversation before the tournament has properly settled.

It also illustrates an important point for anyone following tennis markets: reputation and historical Grand Slam records are not substitutes for current fitness and form. Pre-tournament favourites can disappear from a draw in a single afternoon.

Carlos Alcaraz makes a winning return

Carlos Alcaraz entered the tournament with a very different question hanging over him: could the defending champion immediately rediscover Grand Slam-level tennis after a long injury absence?

His first answer was encouraging.

Alcaraz defeated Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in his opening match. It was his first singles appearance in 139 days after a right wrist injury kept him away from competition for almost five months.

The Spaniard's movement and forehand looked sharp enough to ease immediate concerns, and Reuters reported that he came through the match pain-free. That matters as much as the straight-sets scoreline. A long first-round battle would have placed considerably more stress on a player returning from an extended layoff.

Alcaraz next faces Portugal's Jaime Faria in the second round.

There is also history at stake. No man has successfully defended the US Open singles crown since Roger Federer completed five consecutive titles from 2004 to 2008. Alcaraz has the opportunity to end that long run without a repeat men's champion, but his fitness will remain one of the tournament's biggest variables.

Alexander Zverev has a major opportunity

With Djokovic already eliminated and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner absent from the tournament, Alexander Zverev has an unusually important opportunity in New York.

The German entered as the leading men's seed after winning his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros earlier in 2026. He has already experienced the pressure of the US Open's biggest stage, having reached the 2020 final before losing to Dominic Thiem from two sets ahead.

Zverev and Alcaraz therefore enter the opening week from very different positions. Alcaraz brings the pedigree of the defending champion but also the uncertainty of a recent injury. Zverev arrives with the confidence of finally becoming a major champion.

That makes the men's draw particularly interesting after Djokovic's exit. It is far too early to assume a two-player race, but one of the most formidable obstacles has already disappeared.

Sabalenka begins her bid for three in a row

Aryna Sabalenka opened her title defence with a controlled 6-2, 6-4 victory over Camila Osorio.

The world No. 1 struck 32 winners and avoided the kind of opening-round drama that can quickly complicate a Grand Slam campaign. She next faces Russia's Polina Iatcenko.

Sabalenka is chasing something genuinely rare. She won the women's singles title in both 2024 and 2025 and is attempting to become only the third woman in the professional era to win three consecutive US Open singles titles, following Chris Evert and Serena Williams.

Her recent New York record makes her impossible to ignore, but the women's draw is deep enough that a third title is anything but automatic.

Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva and Iga Swiatek are among the leading challengers, while Amanda Anisimova has already made a convincing start.

Iga Swiatek starts with authority

Iga Swiatek's opening performance was one of the most convincing of the first round.

The 2022 US Open champion defeated Wang Xiyu 6-2, 6-3 in 88 minutes. Swiatek broke for a 3-1 advantage in the first set and maintained control from there.

The result continues a strong North American hard-court period for the Polish star. She arrived in New York after winning in Toronto and reaching the Cincinnati semi-finals.

Swiatek is seeded eighth, which makes her position in the draw particularly interesting. Her ranking means she can potentially meet another elite contender earlier than people accustomed to seeing her among the very top seeds might expect.

Her second-round opponent is Nadia Podoroska.

American contenders have home support

The US Open atmosphere changes noticeably when American players make deep runs, and the home challenge is substantial in 2026.

Jessica Pegula, the third seed, opened with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Pegula was a US Open finalist in 2024 and a semi-finalist in 2025, so her recent record at Flushing Meadows is among the best in the women's field.

Amanda Anisimova also made an impressive start, beating Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 6-3 on her 25th birthday. As a returning US Open finalist, Anisimova is no longer simply an outsider hoping to make a surprise run.

Coco Gauff remains another major home hope. The 2023 champion is seeded fourth and has the experience of winning this tournament in front of the New York crowd.

On the men's side, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe give the hosts several players capable of creating a deep run.

Other early results worth knowing

The first two days produced more than the Djokovic upset.

Stefanos Tsitsipas recovered from a set and a break down to beat Cincinnati champion and No. 10 seed Arthur Fils 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-4. It was a particularly useful result for Tsitsipas after an inconsistent North American hard-court summer.

Former champion Daniil Medvedev advanced in straight sets against Hugo Gaston, while Tommy Paul recovered after losing his opening set to beat qualifier Coleman Wong in four.

The tournament also marked the end of two notable US Open stories. Sofia Kenin beat Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6. Meanwhile, Matteo Berrettini's straight-sets victory over Stan Wawrinka ended the 2016 champion's final US Open appearance before retirement.

Five US Open storylines to follow this week

1. Can Alcaraz's wrist handle repeated matches?

One comfortable victory is encouraging, but a Grand Slam requires seven matches over two weeks. The biggest test for Alcaraz may be how his wrist and body respond as the workload accumulates.

2. Who takes advantage of Djokovic's exit?

An early upset does not simply remove one player; it changes the route through an entire section of the draw. Players who expected to encounter Djokovic later in the tournament suddenly have a very different path.

3. Can Sabalenka complete the three-peat?

Winning one major is difficult. Defending it is harder. Winning the same Grand Slam three years running would put Sabalenka into an exceptionally small historical group.

4. Is Swiatek peaking at the right time?

Her Toronto title, Cincinnati semi-final and dominant first-round performance suggest Swiatek has arrived in New York with momentum. Her No. 8 seeding could make her one of the most dangerous players outside the very top section of the draw.

5. How far can the Americans go?

Pegula, Gauff and Anisimova give the women's draw a powerful American presence, while several US men are capable of reaching the second week. Home support becomes increasingly influential as the tournament moves onto the main stadiums.

US Open betting: what South African bettors should consider

The first round is a reminder of why Grand Slam betting requires more than choosing the most famous player.

Tennis offers numerous markets beyond simply backing a match winner. Depending on the bookmaker, these can include set betting, total games, game handicaps, tie-break markets and player-specific markets.

Before placing a bet, consider:

• Fitness: Alcaraz's return and Djokovic's physical struggles show how important recent injury information can be.
• Best-of-five vs best-of-three: Men's Grand Slam singles matches are best of five sets, while women's singles are best of three. That changes the opportunity for favourites to recover from a slow start.
• Recent hard-court form: Results on clay or grass do not always translate directly to New York's hard courts.
• Match timing: Heat, humidity and long night sessions can influence physical matches.
• Price rather than reputation: A strong player can still represent poor value at very short odds.

Avoid treating accumulators as an easy route to a larger payout. Every additional selection increases the number of outcomes that must go right, and one upset ends the entire bet.

For broader sports analysis, visit our tennis hub, explore our Tour Championship preview or check our football hub as the US Open progresses. If you are placing sports bets in South Africa, consider WCGRB-licensed sportsbooks like PantherBet or Bravobet.

What happens next at the 2026 US Open?

The first round concludes on Tuesday, 1 September, followed by the second round on 2–3 September. The third round is scheduled for 4–5 September, with the fourth round on 6–7 September.

By the end of this week, the shape of both singles draws should be considerably clearer. The major questions are whether Alcaraz can build momentum after his injury layoff, whether Zverev can capitalise on the altered men's field, and whether anyone can stop Sabalenka's pursuit of a third consecutive title.

The opening days have already shown why assuming anything at a Grand Slam is dangerous.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2026 US Open?

The main draw runs from 30 August to 13 September 2026 in New York.

Where is the US Open played?

The tournament is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. Arthur Ashe Stadium is its main show court.

Who is the defending men's US Open champion?

Carlos Alcaraz is the defending men's singles champion. He began his 2026 defence by beating Roman Safiullin in straight sets after returning from a 139-day injury layoff.

Who is the defending women's US Open champion?

Aryna Sabalenka is the two-time defending champion. She is attempting to win a third consecutive US Open women's singles title in 2026.

Is Novak Djokovic still in the 2026 US Open?

No. Djokovic was beaten in five sets by Mariano Navone in the first round.

Who should tennis fans watch this week?

Alcaraz, Zverev, Sabalenka, Swiatek, Pegula, Gauff and Anisimova are among the major names to follow, while early upsets may open opportunities for players deeper in the draw.

Sources and image credits

Match results and tournament information were cross-checked against the official US Open, ATP Tour, WTA Tour and Reuters reporting on 30 August–1 September 2026. Images used are reusable Wikimedia Commons media; individual image licences and attribution details are available on the linked file pages.

Research sources: US Open official site · ATP Tour · WTA Tour · Reuters tennis coverage.

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