Pegula and Medvedev Advance as Van Assche Ousts Norrie at US Open

Jessica Pegula and Daniil Medvedev opened their 2026 US Open campaigns with straight-sets victories on Sunday, while Katie Boulter needed three sets to reach the second round. The Guardian’s live reporting from Flushing Meadows also recorded a notable first-round exit for Cameron Norrie, who surrendered a one-set lead against Luca van Assche.

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Pegula, the women’s third seed, defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2. The American’s two-set victory made her one of the day’s prominent early winners and gave her a direct route into the second round without the complications of a deciding set.

Medvedev, seeded seventh in the men’s draw, was similarly efficient against Hugo Gaston. He won 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 and completed the victory with his 10th ace in the final game, according to the Guardian’s match account. The Russian did not drop a set as he secured his place in the next round.

Boulter came through a more uneven contest against Carol Young Suh Lee. The British No. 1 took the opening set, lost the second and then pulled away decisively to win 6-4, 4-6, 6-0. The Guardian reported that Boulter raised the tempo in the deciding set and used more aggressive play to keep Lee under pressure.

Norrie’s match moved in the opposite direction. The British 29th seed edged the first set in a tie-break, but Van Assche responded to win 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. The 22-year-old Frenchman’s consistency and accurate serving helped him claim his first main-draw victory at the US Open. During the third set, the Guardian recorded 10 unforced errors from Norrie and only one from Van Assche.

British qualifier Toby Samuel also produced a significant result, beating Tomas Machac 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. The world No. 110 converted his second match point to earn the first Grand Slam main-draw victory of his career. Elsewhere, 19th seed Jasmine Paolini advanced by defeating Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, adding another three-set result to the opening day.