Written by Sofia · 03.09.2026 · 4 min read
US Open 2026 Round 1 is done — and it already feels like the whole draw got flipped upside down. In our pre-tournament favourites piece, we flagged two big names with a question mark. Well, one of them answered that question in the most brutal way possible. Let’s break it all down.
Djokovic’s First-Round Exit — 20 Years in the Making
Nobody saw Day 1 going like this. Novak Djokovic (seeded 4th) lost to Argentine Mariano Navone (world No. 44) — 6–7, 7–5, 6–4, 2–6, 1–6 — in four hours and 36 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Djokovic looked off for large stretches, was visibly cramping, and had to stop twice due to illness. By the final set, the 39-year-old simply had nothing left against a fresher, hungrier Navone.
Here’s the scale of it: this was Djokovic’s first Grand Slam first-round loss since 2006 — ending an almost unbelievable streak of 78 consecutive opening-round wins at Majors. And it wasn’t just a tennis match. At one point, visibly emotional, Djokovic was fighting back tears as the crowd rallied behind him. Suddenly this wasn’t about a 25th title anymore — it was about a legend facing the reality of what his body can still give. He hasn’t announced anything, but he did say he needs time to think about what comes next. Honestly? We’re rooting for one more comeback. The sport’s better with him in it.
Early Exits: Fils, Jodar, Bejlek & More Seeds Crash Out
Djokovic wasn’t the only name from our preview who packed his bags early. Arthur Fils — our hottest underdog pick — went down to Stefanos Tsitsipas in four sets: 6–4, 7–6, 6–1, 6–4. You could argue Fils was still running on fumes after winning Cincinnati the week before. Meanwhile, Tsitsipas — a former world No. 3 and two-time Grand Slam finalist — picked up his first win in six head-to-head meetings and served notice that he’s very much back in the conversation.
But the most jaw-dropping exit? That’d be Rafael Jodar, just 19 years old, getting absolutely steamrolled 2–6, 1–6, 1–6 by lucky loser Bu Yunchaokete (world No. 124). That makes Jodar the highest-seeded player in the Open Era to lose to a lucky loser in Round 1 of the US Open. Genuinely stunning. Our women’s dark horse pick, Czech youngster Sára Bejlek, also didn’t make it past the first round. Upsets, it turns out, cut both ways. On the men’s side, Cameron Norrie and Matteo Arnaldi also exited early, while on the women’s side Belinda Bencic (the highest-seeded women’s loser) and former Major champion Barbora Krejčíková were both sent packing. The silver lining? Every single women’s top-10 seed made it through.
The Favourites Advance — Some More Comfortably Than Others
The defending champions, though? A completely different story. Carlos Alcaraz — the other big question mark from our preview after 139 days out injured — looked like he’d never been away. A clean 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 over Roman Safiullin, zero rust, total control. Good to have him back. Aryna Sabalenka, meanwhile, kicked off her bid for a third straight title with a breezy 6–2, 6–4.
Not everyone had it that easy, though. Top seed Alexander Zverev was dragged into a five-set war with Lorenzo Sonego that lasted 4 hours and 52 minutes — he survived, but it wasn’t pretty. Dark horse pick Flavio Cobolli somehow clawed back from two sets down to advance. On the more comfortable side: Taylor Fritz cruised through in straight sets, and on the women’s side Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Naomi Osaka, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, and crowd favourite Alexandra Eala all progressed without drama.
US Open 2026 Round 1 Verdict: Wide Open and Absolutely Unpredictable
The feel-good moment of the round? Gaël Monfils winning on his 40th birthday, serenaded by the crowd with a full rendition of Happy Birthday, and extending his Grand Slam career in the most Monfils way imaginable. On the other end of the spectrum: wildcard Venus Williams lost to Sofia Kenin at 46, and Wimbledon surprise package Arthur Fery was gone before anyone could blink. After US Open 2026 Round 1, one thing is crystal clear — no favourite is safe, and no underdog is a pushover. For anyone playing picks right now, buckle up. This draw is as wide open as it gets.
