By Team INVC | INVC NEWS
Published: September 1, 2026 |01 : 24 PM IST
NEW YORK, United States | September 1, 2026 —
The Iga Swiatek US Open 2026 campaign began in convincing fashion as the seven-time Grand Slam champion defeated Wang Xiyu in straight sets, joining defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, Amanda Anisimova, Linda Noskova and several other leading names in the second round at Flushing Meadows.
Swiatek produced another controlled Grand Slam opening performance, beating Wang 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 28 minutes.
The victory extended one of the most impressive active streaks in women’s tennis. Swiatek has now won 28 consecutive opening matches at Grand Slam tournaments.
Her only first-round defeat at a major came against Viktorija Golubic at Wimbledon in 2019.
The Polish star rarely allowed Wang to dictate play and maintained control through most of the match, continuing the consistency that has made her one of the most reliable performers in the early rounds of major tournaments.
Swiatek Extends Remarkable Grand Slam Opening Streak
Swiatek established control early and took the first set 6-2 before Wang offered stronger resistance in the second.
The pair stayed level through the opening seven games of the second set, but Swiatek eventually found the breakthrough she needed. Once ahead, she did not allow the match to drift and closed out another straight-sets victory.
Beyond the scoreline, the result underlined Swiatek’s extraordinary record at the start of Grand Slam tournaments.
She is now 30-1 in first-round matches at majors, with the overwhelming majority of those victories coming without the need for a deciding set.
The Iga Swiatek US Open 2026 run will now move into the second round, where the level of opposition and pressure will gradually increase.
Anisimova Makes Strong Start in New York
Amanda Anisimova also opened her campaign with an authoritative performance.
The American defeated compatriot Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 6-3 to secure her place in the second round.
Anisimova, who reached the US Open final last year, looked comfortable for long stretches despite Krueger creating several opportunities on return.
Krueger generated 11 break-point chances, but Anisimova saved 10 of them and broke serve five times herself.
Her next opponent will be 18-year-old Austrian Lilli Tagger, who celebrated her first Grand Slam main-draw victory with a 6-0, 7-6(4) win over Tamara Korpatsch.
That gives Anisimova an intriguing second-round challenge against one of the younger players attempting to establish herself on the biggest stage.
Wimbledon Champion Noskova Produces Stunning Comeback
Linda Noskova delivered one of the most impressive recoveries of the day.
The reigning Wimbledon champion appeared to be in serious trouble against American Katie Volynets after falling 5-2 behind in the opening set.
Volynets also held two set points.
Noskova refused to let the set disappear.
She won five consecutive games to take the opener 7-5, then carried that momentum directly into the second set.
By the time the match ended, Noskova had won 11 of the final 12 games, completing a remarkable turnaround with a 7-5, 6-1 victory.
What initially looked capable of becoming one of the day’s biggest upsets instead turned into a convincing straight-sets win for the Wimbledon champion.
Noskova will face Lanlana Tararudee in the second round.
Muchova and Shnaider Waste Little Time
Karolina Muchova had a far more straightforward afternoon.
She defeated Sinja Kraus 6-3, 6-0 in only 58 minutes, producing one of the quickest victories of the women’s opening round.
Muchova will next face Katie Boulter.
Diana Shnaider, the No. 15 seed, also moved through comfortably with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Daria Snigur.
Sorana Cirstea, seeded 16th, defeated Julia Grabher 6-3, 6-0 to continue what is expected to be her final US Open campaign.
The three victories added to a productive day for seeded players, although several matches elsewhere in the draw produced surprises.
Zheng Qinwen Battles Back From a Set Down
Zheng Qinwen had to work considerably harder.
The Chinese star, continuing her return after injury problems, lost the opening set against 16-year-old qualifier Kristina Liutova before recovering to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
It was Zheng’s fourth consecutive victory in New York after she came through qualifying to earn a place in the main draw.
Liutova entered the match in excellent form and pushed Zheng hard early, but the former Olympic champion gradually imposed her power as the contest developed.
The deciding set was far more one-sided.
Zheng took command and prevented the teenager from turning a promising Grand Slam debut into one of the tournament’s biggest early upsets.
For Zheng, the result was another encouraging sign after a difficult period away from regular competition.
She will now attempt to carry that momentum deeper into the tournament.
Sloane Stephens Finds Her Grand Slam Winning Touch Again
Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens produced another notable result.
Stephens defeated Clara Tauson 6-4, 6-1 in one hour and 16 minutes, earning her first Grand Slam main-draw victory since Wimbledon 2024.
The result carried extra significance because Stephens entered the tournament ranked well outside the positions she occupied during the strongest years of her career.
Tauson made the better start and moved ahead early in the opening set, but Stephens quickly settled.
Once she gained control, the 2017 champion dictated the match with a combination of consistent serving and controlled aggression.
Stephens won 79% of her first-serve points and finished with 19 winners against only 10 unforced errors.
Her reward is a second-round meeting with Marta Kostyuk.
Bucsa and Townsend Deliver Upsets
Cristina Bucsa entered the US Open having won only two of her previous 11 matches, but recent form proved irrelevant against No. 28 seed Sara Bejlek.
Bucsa prevailed 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 after a match that stretched into a deciding set.
Bejlek arrived in New York with momentum after a strong Cincinnati run, but Bucsa regained control in the third set and pulled away.
Taylor Townsend also produced an eye-catching result.
The American defeated Roland Garros finalist and No. 20 seed Maja Chwalinska 6-2, 6-3.
Townsend controlled the contest from the opening stages and completed the victory without dropping a set, giving the home crowd another American player to follow into Round 2.
Teenager Lilli Tagger Celebrates Grand Slam Breakthrough
Among the younger players, Lilli Tagger enjoyed one of the most memorable days of her career.
The 18-year-old Austrian defeated Tamara Korpatsch 6-0, 7-6(4), recording her first victory in a Grand Slam main draw.
Tagger raced through the opening set before facing much stronger resistance in the second.
She held her nerve in the tiebreak to complete the win and earn the biggest stage yet for her rapidly developing professional career.
Her reward is a second-round meeting with Anisimova, one of the leading American contenders in New York.
Sabalenka Begins Bid for Another US Open Crown
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka also advanced in straight sets.
The defending champion defeated Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 to begin her latest title defense.
Sabalenka controlled the first set but encountered more resistance in the second before closing the match in one hour and 27 minutes.
The victory keeps alive her pursuit of a third consecutive US Open women’s singles title.
Sabalenka has dominated the New York hard courts in recent seasons, and despite arriving at this year’s event after a less dominant stretch than earlier in the season, she remains one of the central figures in the women’s draw.
Her next match will be against qualifier Polina Iatcenko.
Women’s Draw Begins to Take Shape
After the opening wave of matches, many of the tournament’s leading contenders remain safely in the draw.
Swiatek and Sabalenka moved through without dropping sets. Anisimova made an emphatic start in front of the home crowd, while Noskova showed the resilience expected from a Wimbledon champion.
Zheng’s comeback victory offered another indication that her form is improving after injury, and Stephens provided one of the more popular stories of the round by ending her long wait for another Grand Slam main-draw win.
The early results have also created several attractive second-round matches.
Anisimova against Tagger will place an established Grand Slam finalist against a fast-rising teenager, while Stephens will face the considerably higher-ranked Kostyuk.
For Iga Swiatek US Open 2026, the opening assignment could hardly have gone more smoothly.
But with the first round complete, the real test of the championship is only beginning.
