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This content was machine-translated from the French version.
New York is already getting serious
The 2026 US Open did not need to wait until the second week to produce a shock. Novak Djokovic's first-round exit, beaten in five sets by Mariano Navone, immediately shifted the center of gravity of the men's tournament. At 39, the Serb remains a towering figure, but this defeat offers a new reading of the draw: the old reference points are beginning to crack, and several contenders can now look further ahead without having to get past one of the historic obstacles of Flushing Meadows.
Diane Parry is also scheduled to face Viktorija Golubic, just days after her title in Monterrey and her rise in the world rankings.
The first day also confirmed that Daniil Medvedev, a former winner in New York, still possesses a genuine ability to control hard courts. His emphatic victory over Hugo Gaston brought stability back to a day marked by surprises. Tommy Paul also made it through the first round, while the withdrawal of certain players and the conditions surrounding the resumption of matches after rain interruptions are already adding an element of uncertainty to the tournament's physical management.
The French players at the heart of Monday
Monday 31 August's schedule has a strong French flavor. Arthur Fils is due to begin his campaign against Stefanos Tsitsipas, a heavyweight matchup for a first-round appearance. The Frenchman arrives with a status that is no longer that of a mere prospect: he is expected, watched closely, and this type of match measures his maturity as much as his level of play. Against an experienced opponent capable of dictating play with his serve and forehand, Fils will have to impose intensity without rushing.
Diane Parry is also scheduled to face Viktorija Golubic, just days after her title in Monterrey and her rise in the world rankings. Her case is interesting because she arrives with confidence, but also with the challenge of playing again very quickly. Freshness, the transition to New York and the ability to maintain her aggression in tight moments will be decisive. Loïs Boisson and Adrian Mannarino, for their part, have to manage matches resumed after an interruption, an exercise that is rarely comfortable because it requires immediately rediscovering the rhythm without going through the gradual settling-in process of the beginning of a match.
Alcaraz and Sabalenka under scrutiny
The schedule also puts the two defending champions front and center. Carlos Alcaraz returns after a period of absence and must face Roman Safiullin. The result alone will not be enough to assess his true condition: it will be necessary to observe the quality of his footwork, his ability to defend well behind the baseline and the freedom in his arm during long exchanges. In New York, a favorite can win in three sets while still showing worrying physical signs; the opposite is sometimes true as well.
Aryna Sabalenka begins her title defense against Camila Osorio. Her number one ranking and status as defending champion create expectations very different from those placed on the challengers. She must establish her authority quickly, avoid giving too much rhythm to a mobile opponent and protect her serve in the opening games. In the women's draw, every first round counts twice: it eliminates an immediate threat and sets the tone in a tournament that is often tense from the very first days.
A tournament already wide open
This edition begins with a rare mix: major favorites to monitor, vulnerable seeds, numerous French players, and a first major shock among the men. Djokovic's defeat does not merely mean the elimination of a champion; it serves as a reminder that New York's hard courts quickly punish any physical decline, even among the greatest.
For the French players, the challenge is clear: turn a strong presence in the draw into visible victories. A win for Fils against Tsitsipas would give the day immediate significance. A solid start from Parry would confirm that Monterrey was not merely a brief interlude. In an already tense US Open, the opportunity is there. They still have to seize it before the tournament closes in.
