Sometimes there is little excitement in the first round of Grand Slams, as the favorites are expected to make quick work of their opponents and roll to the next round.
It is rare for a top seed to get ousted in the first round. The No. 1 has only lost in the first round at the US Open once in the Open Era, when Simona Halep lost in straight sets to Kaia Kanepi in 2018.
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So don’t expect two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or Alexander Zverev to be packing their bags and leaving New York in the first few days of the tournament.
US Open singles seeds revealed: Alexander Zverev, Aryna Sabalenka lead draws
Still, there are some matches that provide some intrigue, and upsets in later rounds could provide the year’s last Grand Slam with some first-time winners.Here are some first-round matches to watch at the 2026 US Open:
Men’s draw
(2) Carlos Alcaraz vs. Roman Safiullin (8/31)
This one is a no-brainer. The entire tennis world is awaiting Alcaraz’s return to singles competition after a five-month absence due to a wrist injury. Alcaraz looked nervous and shaky teaming with Serena Williams in mixed doubles, but the power and the showmanship were on full display, and there is no one in the tournament who can match that.
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Mariano Navone vs. (4) Novak Djokovic (8/30)
The 39-year-old Djokovic is still seeking his 25th major title, and it has been three years since his last Grand Slam triumph, at the 2023 US Open. Djokovic is still capable of a deep run − he made the final at the Australian Open and the semifinals at Wimbledon this year. Djokovic and Navone, a 25-year-old from Argentina, will be meeting for the first time.
Stan Wawrinka vs Matteo Berrettini (8/31)
Wawrinka should have received a wild card long before the USTA came to its senses and gave him one, only after Patrick Kypson withdrew with an injury. This is a rematch from Wimbledon two months ago, which Berrettini won in four sets. Lurking in the second round is a potential match with Djokovic.
Women’s draw
Venus Williams vs Sofia Kenin (8/30)
Two former Grand Slam champions, two wild card entries. Much has been made about Williams’ constant presence at tournaments via wild cards. If tournaments continue to allow her to play, then she should, even if she has lost her last 13 singles matches. Kenin, who won the Australian Open in 2020, has never been past the round of 16 at the US Open. The winner could await Jessica Pegula in the second round.
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Tatjana Maria vs. (30) Jelena Ostapenko (8/31)
Ostapenko has been fairly quiet in the controversy realm in 2026, but when she was in New York last year, her blow-up with Taylor Townsend made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Never count out a former Grand Slam champion, but there is an unpredictable nature to the matches anytime Ostapenko steps on the court. The 39-year-old Maria beat Ostapenko at Wimbledon in 2022 and at Eastbourne in June.
(2) Elena Rybakina vs. Thea Frodin
Had Rybakina won in Cincinnati, she would be the No. 1 player in the world and this tournament’s top seed. But she retired in the quarterfinals with a left lower-leg injury. She could still break Sabalenka’s near-100-week run at the top with a semifinal appearance, but her health has been a bit of a concern and is worth watching, especially in the first round. Her opponent is 17-year-old Thea Frodin, who was the body double for the actress portraying a young Serena Williams in the 2021 film “King Richard.”
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Wild card in doubles: Venus and Serena Williams
The sisters, who have won two US Open doubles championships, last played doubles in Cincinnati, where they lost in three sets to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in a thrilling match. They received a wild card to enter the tournament, and at a combined age of 90, they will be by far the oldest partners in the tournament.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best US Open matches to watch in first round
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