The 2026 United States Open commences on Sunday from Flushing Meadows, New York. Here are the 12 best first round matches.
(10) Arthur Fils–FRA vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas–GRE
Here we have Fils, the winner at Cincinnati, against Tsitsipas, the 2021 French Open finalist, and 2023 Australian Open finalist. Fils has won all five meetings against Tsitsipas, including a 6-0, 6-1 win in the third round of Miami this year.
(13) Lorenzo Musetti–ITA vs. Arthur Fery–GB
Here we have two grand slam semifinalists. Musetti made the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2024 and the French Open in 2025. Fery made the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2026. This is their first ever meeting.
(14) Learner Tien–USA vs. Nuno Borges–POR
Tien made the semifinals of the National Bank Open and Borges made the fourth round of Canada and Cincinnati. Tien has won their two prior matches. The first was by a score of 6-2, 7-6 in the first round of the 2025 Paris Indoor, and the second was by a score of 7-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the third round of the 2026 Australian Open.
(18) Jiri Lehecka–CZE vs. Pablo Carreno Busta –ESP
Lehecka made the quarterfinals of the 2025 United States Open. Carreno Busta made the semifinals of the United States Open in 2017 and 2020. Lehecka and Carreno Busta have beaten each other once before. Lehecka won 7-6, 6-4 in the second round of Dubai in 2026, and Carreno Busta won 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in the first round of the 2026 French Open.
(23) Andrey Rublev–RUS vs. Marin Cilic–CRO
Rublev made the fourth round of the 2025 United States Open. Cilic won the 2014 United States Open. Rublev has won four of seven meetings head-to-head. However, Cilic won the only two meetings at majors, and they came four years ago at the Australian Open and French Open.
(26) Emma Navarro–USA vs. Lois Boisson–FRA
Navarro reached the semifinals of the 2024 United States Open. Boisson reached the semifinals of the 2025 French Open. Navarro won their only prior meeting in Beijing last year.
(30) Matteo Arnaldi–ITA vs. James Duckworth–AUS
We could see an Aussie upset here as Arnaldi’s best surface is clay. Duckworth reached the semifinals of Winston-Salem this week. This is their first meeting head-to-head.
(30) Jelena Ostapenko–LAT vs. Tatjana Maria–GER
Ostapenko won the 2017 French Open. Maria reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2022. Maria has won their two previous meetings at Wimbledon and Eastbourne.
(32) Ignacio Buse–PER vs. Marcos Giron–USA
There could be another upset here. Buse is a seeded player despite winning only one career grand slam match. Giron reached the third round of Wimbledon. Buse won their only meeting head-to-head, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 in the first round of Queen’s this summer.
Stanislas Wawrinka–SUI vs. Matteo Berrettini–ITA
Wawrinka won the 2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open and 2016 United States Open. Berrettini reached the 2021 Wimbledon final. Berrettini has won their only prior match. Remarkably, it came at Wimbledon this year, which Berrettini won, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6.
Daria Kasatkina–AUS vs. Paula Badosa–ESP
This is a battle of grand slam semifinalists. Kasatkina made the final four of the 2022 French Open. Badosa made the final four of the 2025 Australian Open. Kasatkina has won four of seven meetings head-to-head including a 6-1, 7-5 win in the third round of the 2025 French Open.
Venus Williams–USA vs. Sofia Kenin–USA
Williams is a seven-time grand slam champion as she has won five Wimbledons (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008) and two United States Opens (2000 and 2001). Kenin won the 2020 Australian Open. This will be their first meeting ever.
