New York, 31 August (H.S.): American wild card Sofia Kenin defeated compatriot Venus Williams, 46, 6-2, 7-6(6) in the first round of the US Open 2026 to advance to the second round. The match began after midnight in New York, making it the latest-starting women’s singles match in US Open history.

The contest at Arthur Ashe Stadium began after the five-set encounter between Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone. Despite the late hour, a large number of spectators stayed inside the stadium to watch Venus, who entered the 96th Grand Slam main draw of her career on a wild card.

“It started extremely late. I’ve never played a match this late before. I’m glad so many people stayed for it. It was an honour to play in front of them,” Venus said.

Kenin broke Venus’s serve in the opening game and maintained control throughout the first set. She raced to a 3-0 lead before Venus managed to get on the scoreboard. Kenin responded by securing another break and closed out the set 6-2.

Kenin again established an early advantage in the second set, moving 3-1 ahead. However, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus produced several impressive shots as she attempted to fight her way back into the contest. The two players battled to a 5-5 tie before the set went into a tiebreak.

Venus had seven opportunities to win the set during the tiebreak but was unable to convert any of them. Kenin remained composed and eventually won the tiebreak 8-6 to seal the match.

“This wasn’t an ideal situation. I definitely would have wanted something different. It’s not easy to find your rhythm and play your best tennis for the first time at one or two in the morning, but I gave it everything I had,” Venus said.

Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, will face third-seeded American Jessica Pegula in the second round.

Medvedev, Pegula also advance

Former champion Daniil Medvedev defeated French qualifier Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the second round. The victory marked a strong response from Medvedev after his early exits in Cincinnati and Montreal.

In the women’s singles draw, third-seeded Jessica Pegula defeated Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova became the first seeded player to exit the tournament after she was beaten 7-6(4), 6-2 by Kamilla Rakhimova.

Italy’s Jasmine Paolini defeated Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, while Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk beat Australia’s Storm Hunter 6-4, 6-1. Elina Svitolina also advanced with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Solana Sierra.

Former champion Marin Cilic and 2022 runner-up Casper Ruud withdrew from the tournament due to injuries.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar