The schedule for the first Sunday of the 2026 US Open is under the spotlight

The US Open 2026 will kick off this Sunday, August 31, with a star-studded lineup. On Arthur Ashe, the marquee matchup will feature Jessica Pegula against Elena-Gabriela Ruse at 7 PM, while Novak Djokovic takes on Mariano Navone at 1 AM.

At Louis Armstrong Stadium, Jasmine Paolini will open the action at 4 PM against Veronika Erjavec, followed by a clash between Tommy Paul and Coleman Wong at midnight. British players will also be in the spotlight, with Carol Young Suh Lee, Katie Boulter, and Jacob Fearnley competing on Court 5 starting at 4 PM. The full schedule is available on Sky Sports, where fans can follow all matches live. Qualifying rounds will continue on the outer courts, including a match between Talia Gibson and Donna Vekic on Court 5.

British players lead the charge on opening day

Five British players are featured on the first day’s program, including Cameron Norrie, Katie Boulter, and Jacob Fearnley. Norrie will face Luca Van Assche on Court 5 at 4 PM, while Boulter and Fearnley take on Carol Young Suh Lee in a match scheduled for the same time. Katie Boulter, the 2024 Wimbledon finalist, will aim to shine in her debut. Her compatriot Cameron Norrie, ranked 29th in the world, will look to justify his seeding. These matches are sure to draw close attention from British fans. On Court 12, Taylah Preston and Alycia Parks will represent Australia, while Lloyd Harris will play for South Africa against Jack Kennedy.

Djokovic and top seeds take center stage

Novak Djokovic, the world No. 3, will be the public’s favorite on Arthur Ashe. The Serbian will face Mariano Navone at 1 AM, a match that could stretch into the early hours. Earlier, third-seeded Jessica Pegula will open the proceedings against Elena-Gabriela Ruse at 7 PM. Among the other top seeds in action, Venus Williams will take on Sofia Kenin on Arthur Ashe at 10 PM, while 20th-ranked Tommy Paul will face Coleman Wong at midnight on Louis Armstrong Stadium. Fans can also catch Daniil Medvedev against Hugo Gaston at midnight, and Alexander Bublik versus JJ Wolf. In the women’s draw, Marta Kostyuk and Emma Navarro will be in action, while Jasmine Paolini opens the show on Louis Armstrong Stadium at 4 PM. The matches will continue late into the night, including a clash between Miomir Kecmanovic and Denis Shapovalov starting at 10 PM on Grandstand.

A packed schedule across all courts

The programme looks packed with matches spread across all the facilities of the US Open. On Court 6, Thiago Agustin Tirante will face Adrian Mannarino, while Court 7 will host Sho Shimabukuro against Arthur Rinderknech. The outer courts won’t be left out, with matches like Kamil Majchrzak taking on Hamad Medjedovic on Court 12. Fans can also keep an eye on rising talents like Toby Samuel, Yibing Wu, and Dino Prizmic, who will look to spring surprises against more seasoned opponents. The qualifying rounds will continue on the outer courts, featuring clashes such as Renata Zarazua versus Polina Iatcenko on Court 6. To follow the entire US Open, spectators can tune in to Sky Sports or use the dedicated app. Matches will also be available for streaming without commitment via NOW. Tennis enthusiasts can also catch the Laver Cup in London from September 25 to 27, which will also be broadcast on Sky Sports.