US Open 2026: Detailed Draw for the Early Rounds

The draw for the first round of the 2026 US Open, held at Flushing Meadows in New York, was revealed this Thursday, August 27, 2026. The seeded players and qualifiers are now set for the kickoff of the season's final Grand Slam, scheduled to begin on August 30.

The men's draw: Zverev and Alcaraz as top seeds

In the men's draw, the top half features several favorites facing off in the first round. Alexander Zverev (world No. 4) takes on Lorenzo Sonego, while Rafael Nadal Jodar (No. 12) faces Thanasi Kokkinakis. Among the outsiders, Arthur Fery (No. 13) and Juan Manuel Cerundolo (No. 19) are also in action. In the bottom half, Daniil Medvedev (No. 7) is set to face a qualifier or lucky loser, while Novak Djokovic (No. 4) defends his title against Mariano Navone. Carlos Alcaraz (world No. 2) opens the bottom half against Roman Safiullin. Other notable matches include Felix Auger-Aliassime (No. 3) facing Rinky Hijikata and Gael Monfils (wildcard) taking on Nuno Borges (No. 14). The French contingent is well-represented with Corentin Moutet, Benjamin Bonzi, and Gael Monfils as a wildcard. Fans can follow the entire tournament on Sky Sports and the NOW app.

The women's draw: Sabalenka and Gauff as favorites

In the women's draw, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1) faces Camila Osorio in the first round. Jessica Pegula (No. 3) and Coco Gauff (No. 4) are also in action, taking on Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Wang Xinyu, respectively. Iga Świątek (No. 8) and Elena Rybakina (No. 2) round out the top seeds, facing Wang Xinyu and Thea Frodin. French players Diane Parry, Elsa Jacquemot, and Clara Tauson are in the draw, while Venus Williams and Sofia Kenin aim to shine. Belgians Elise Mertens (No. 23) and Ysaline Bonaventure (qualifier) also open their campaigns. The matches promise to be spectacular even before the official start of the tournament.

Key storylines and broadcast details

The 2026 US Open is shaping up to be a major event with highly anticipated matches between the world's tennis stars. Organizers have confirmed that the men's title will be open to all contenders, with no restrictions. To catch all the action from these players, fans can follow the entire tournament on Sky Sports and the NOW app. Among the highlights, Roger Federer will make his return to the US Open for an exhibition match, marking a historic moment for tennis fans. Organizers have confirmed that this match will be broadcast live. Enthusiasts can also look forward to seeing performances from young talents like Jakub Mensik and Juncheng Shang, both aiming to make a breakthrough. For the most nostalgic fans, the US Open remains a stage where legends like Federer and Djokovic continue to make history. His return is set to be a standout feature of this edition.