Jessica Pegula and Marta Kostyuk made winning starts at the 2026 US Open on Sunday, earning an extra day of rest before their second-round matches.
Pegula, one of the first players to compete at this year’s tournament, said starting on Sunday offered a mental advantage after her experience last year.
“It is a little bit weird, but I did kind of enjoy that I could breathe for the next couple of days and everyone else is still freaking out about whether they’re going to win their first round,” she said.
That early start can feel very different after a loss.
“We were just talking about it, and I said it’s so nice to play on Sunday when you win. But if you lose it’s not nice, because you feel like the tournament didn’t even start and you’re out of it,” No. 11 seed Marta Kostyuk said.
No. 3 seed Pegula defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2. The 2024 US Open runner-up said she felt nervous at the beginning, with a potential path to the world No. 1 ranking adding to the stakes.
Pegula leads the women’s tour with 46 wins this season. She has won two titles and reached three additional finals. She can rise to No. 1 if she captures her first major championship and No. 2 Elena Rybakina loses before the semifinals.
“I felt really nervous before I went out there, but I know my coaches were like, ‘You didn’t really look that nervous. We thought you played great,’” Pegula said.
Pegula will next play Sofia Kenin, who defeated fellow American wild card Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6 (6). The match began at 12:13 a.m., making it the latest start to a match at the US Open.
Kostyuk also advanced comfortably, beating Storm Hunter 6-4, 6-1. The victory gave Kostyuk a strong opening at the year’s final Grand Slam after she reached the semifinals at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Sunday winners at the US Open
This was the second year featuring a Sunday start at the US Open, although several of the tournament’s biggest names will begin their campaigns Monday. Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faces Camila Osorio, while former champions Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek and Sloane Stephens are also scheduled to play. Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova is on Monday’s schedule as well.
Other winners Sunday included No. 9 seed Elina Svitolina, No. 19 Jasmine Paolini and No. 31 Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 US Open runner-up.
No. 27 seed Barbora Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, lost to Kamilla Rakhimova 7-6 (4), 6-2.
Rain prevented seven matches from being completed. One men’s match was also delayed despite being played in the other stadium equipped with a retractable roof.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.