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US Open 2026: Fery, Venus Williams eliminated in early rounds

Published by YuToday Staff

0 views · 3 hours ago · 3:55 read · September 2, 2026

The US Open 2026 kicked off with a series of upsets and dominant performances in the first round. French wildcard Harold Fery, fresh off his Wimbledon run, was eliminated by Lorenzo Musetti, while Venus Williams bowed out in the early hours after a late start. Meanwhile, top seeds Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina advanced without dropping a set, and other stars like Mirra Andreeva also secured victories.

Key takeaways

Harold Fery’s US Open ended in the first round after his Wimbledon breakthrough.
Venus Williams was eliminated in a late-night match, marking one of the latest starts in US Open history.
Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina advanced in straight sets, easing concerns over their form.
Australian wildcards Dane Sweeny and Tristan Schoolkate made strong starts in their home Grand Slam.

Fery’s US Open dream ends in first round

Harold Fery’s fairytale Wimbledon run did not translate to the US Open, as he fell in straight sets to Lorenzo Musetti in the opening round. The French wildcard, who captured hearts with his Wimbledon performance, struggled to replicate his form on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. Musetti, who had missed the past two Grand Slams due to injury, stuck to his game plan and advanced to face Australian wildcard Dane Sweeny in the next round. Fery’s exit marks the end of his breakthrough season, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.

Venus Williams bows out in historic late-night match

Venus Williams, a seven-time US Open champion, was eliminated in the first round after a match that started at 2am local time—the latest start in US Open history. The 46-year-old American, playing in her 25th US Open, showed glimpses of her vintage form but ultimately fell short. Her departure leaves a void in the women’s draw, as the next generation of players looks to step into the spotlight. Williams’ exit also marks one of the latest finishes in tournament history, underscoring the grueling schedule of the sport.

Fritz and Rybakina cruise to straight-set wins

Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina continued their strong form at the US Open, each advancing in straight sets on Day 3. Fritz, the American No. 2 seed, dispatched his opponent with controlled aggression, while Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion, overcame her recent injury concerns to secure a dominant victory. Rybakina’s fitness had been a question mark after she retired from her Cincinnati quarterfinal last week, but she appeared fully recovered in her opening match. Both players now set their sights on deeper runs in the tournament.

Andreeva, Kasatkina, and Badosa shine in early action

Mirra Andreeva, the young Russian star, opened her campaign with a commanding first-set win, while former top-10 players Daria Kasatkina and Paula Badosa faced off in a tightly contested match. Andreeva’s performance has drawn attention as she looks to build on her breakthrough run at Wimbledon. Kasatkina and Badosa, both battling inconsistent form this season, entered their match with just five combined Grand Slam wins in 2026. Their clash promises to be a test of resilience and experience on the hard courts.

Australian wildcards Sweeny and Schoolkate advance

Australian wildcards Dane Sweeny and Tristan Schoolkate made strong starts to their US Open campaigns. Sweeny, who defeated Corentin Moutet in straight sets, will next face Musetti, while Schoolkate pushed his match against Nishesh Basavareddy to a deciding set. Their progress adds to the home crowd’s excitement, as Australia looks to capitalize on its strong grass-court season with a deep run in New York. Both players will need to maintain their momentum to challenge the seeded field.

Cerundolo brothers and other notables in action

Francisco Cerundolo continued his solid form with a straight-set win over Filip Misolic, while his brother Juan Manuel took on France’s Arthur Gea in a tightly contested match. On the women’s side, Belinda Bencic led Yulia Putintseva by a set and a break, setting up a potential clash with a seeded player. The early rounds have already delivered drama, with more surprises likely as the tournament progresses. Fans can expect high-stakes tennis as the draw narrows.

What happens next

The US Open 2026 continues with the second round kicking off, featuring high-stakes matches as seeded players face tougher competition. Fans can expect more drama as the draw narrows, with Fritz, Rybakina, and Andreeva among those looking to build on their early wins. The tournament’s intensity will only increase as the week progresses.