Flushing Meadows, New York — Day four of the 2026 US Open produced a series of decisive results across both singles draws, with former champion Daniil Medvedev progressing, Jessica Pegula defeating fellow American Sofia Kenin, and several other seeded players advancing under the late-summer conditions at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
The results set the stage for increasingly competitive matchups as the tournament progresses toward its second week, with both draws beginning to take clearer shape following the elimination of several notable names in the opening rounds.
What Happened
Pegula, seeded among the favorites in the women’s draw, navigated a tricky all-American encounter against Kenin to continue her pursuit of a first Grand Slam singles title. The match marked one of the more competitive early-round contests between two established tour players, with Pegula’s baseline consistency ultimately proving decisive.
The encounter featured extended rallies and multiple service breaks, reflecting the competitive equilibrium between two players who have demonstrated the ability to compete at the sport’s highest level. Pegula’s movement and defensive capabilities allowed her to extend rallies and force Kenin into difficult decision-making situations, particularly in the key moments that determined the match’s outcome.
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, continued his bid to reclaim the title he last won five years ago, advancing past his opponent as the men’s draw begins to thin. His progression keeps him on course for a potential deep run at the tournament where he has historically performed strongly.
The Russian player’s performance demonstrated the tactical intelligence that has characterized his best performances at Flushing Meadows. Medvedev’s ability to absorb pressure and redirect pace has historically allowed him to compete effectively against power players, and his day four display suggested a player calibrated for extended runs through the draw.
Elsewhere on day four, Brandon Nakashima produced one of the more eye-catching performances, breaking serve repeatedly and demonstrating aggressive baseline play off both wings. Observers noted the American appeared to be elevating his level, suggesting a player hitting form at a critical juncture in the season.
Other seeded players advancing included notable names in both draws, with the women’s side seeing strong performances from several pre-tournament favorites while the men’s draw featured continued progression from players positioned to benefit from potential upsets in their quarter of the bracket.
Why It Matters
The advancement of Pegula and Medvedev carries particular significance for different reasons within their respective draws.
For Pegula, the victory represents another step toward what would be a landmark achievement in her career. The American has consistently ranked among the world’s top players without converting that consistency into major tournament victories. Her path through the early rounds has been methodical, and the Kenin victory demonstrates the kind of competitive resolve that separates contenders from pretenders at Grand Slam level.
Kenin, a former Australian Open champion herself, represented a genuine threat in the draw. Her experience at the highest level and her ability to elevate her game against top opponents made her a dangerous floater. Removing that threat from her quarter of the draw strengthens Pegula’s position, though significant challenges remain ahead.
Medvedev’s continued progression carries narrative weight beyond typical early-round advancement. His 2021 US Open victory remains the high-water mark of his Grand Slam career, and his results at Flushing Meadows have historically correlated with his overall confidence on hard courts. The ability to advance without expending excessive energy in the early rounds positions him well for the more demanding matches that await.
For American tennis, Nakashima’s elevated performance adds another dimension to a men’s contingent that has shown signs of collective improvement. The depth of American representation in the draw creates opportunities for multiple players to advance simultaneously, potentially setting up compelling matchups in the later rounds.
The results across both draws also reflect the competitive balance that characterizes the modern game. With multiple players capable of defeating each other on any given day, the tournament remains genuinely unpredictable as it moves toward its midpoint.
Background and Context
The 2026 US Open arrives at a transitional moment in both the men’s and women’s tours. Among the men, the draw lacks some of the dominant figures who have characterized recent Grand Slams, creating opportunities for players like Medvedev who possess both the experience and the tactical toolkit to capitalize on emerging gaps in the draw.
Medvedev’s relationship with Flushing Meadows has been complex. His 2021 championship remains his only Grand Slam title, though he has demonstrated the ability to compete at the highest level consistently. The conditions at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center—fast hard courts under the New York sun—have historically suited his patient, counterpunching approach.
Pegula’s career trajectory represents one of the more compelling narratives in contemporary women’s tennis. Her rise to the upper echelons of the sport came relatively late by modern standards, and her continued presence among the contenders reflects both her physical capabilities and her mental approach to the sport. The absence of a Grand Slam title from her record represents an anomaly that she and her team have focused on addressing.
The all-American matchup between Pegula and Kenin reflected a broader pattern in the women’s draw, where American players have maintained strong representation despite the international nature of the modern tour. Both players represent the depth of American women’s tennis, though the pathway from promising junior career to consistent tour presence remains challenging.
Nakashima’s emergence adds to a cohort of young American players who have demonstrated potential without yet converting it into consistent tour-level results. His performance on day four suggested a player increasingly comfortable at the Grand Slam level, where the pressure and atmosphere differ substantially from regular tour events.
The atmospheric conditions at Flushing Meadows on day four—late-summer heat and humidity—created additional physical demands that favored players with strong conditioning and tactical patience. These conditions tend to become more pronounced as the tournament progresses, potentially benefiting players who have managed their energy effectively in the opening rounds.
What to Watch Next
The third-round matches set for the coming days will provide clearer indicators of which players possess the quality and consistency to advance deep into the second week. For Pegula, the transition from a competitive early-round opponent like Kenin to potentially a different style of opponent will test her adaptability.
Medvedev’s path will likely include increasingly challenging matchups as the draw thins. His performance against higher-ranked opponents in previous tournaments provides reference points, though each Grand Slam presents unique conditions and pressures.
Nakashima’s continued progress will draw attention from observers tracking the development of American men’s tennis. Breakthrough performances at this stage frequently translate into ranking gains and seeding improvements at subsequent majors, making the coming matches significant for his longer-term trajectory.
The women’s draw remains genuinely open, with multiple players capable of advancing to the latter stages. Pegula’s position in the draw places her on a potential collision course with other favorites, though significant matches remain before those hypothetical matchups could materialize.
Other storylines emerging from day four include the continued progression—or elimination—of notable seeded players in both draws. The tournament’s expansion through the second week creates opportunities for emerging players to face established names, often producing the memorable moments that characterize Grand Slam tennis.
Play continues at Flushing Meadows with the men’s and women’s third-round matches set for the coming days, with the draw set to narrow further as the tournament approaches its midpoint. The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center prepares for increased attendance and the heightened atmosphere that accompanies the transition from early-round matches to the knockout stages that define Grand Slam tennis.
The results of day four have established the foundation for what promises to be an increasingly compelling tournament, with both draws showing signs of the competitive depth and narrative complexity that make the US Open one of the sport’s premier events.
Sources
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/02/us-open-tennis-2026-pegula-tiafoe-shelton-and-boulter-sabalenka-alcaraz-day-four-live
Source: Guardian International
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Story synopsis gathered from: Guardian International — source
