Pegula wins opening match at US Open, with a path to world No.1 still available

Jessica Pegula opened her 2026 US Open campaign on August 30 with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Elena-Gabriela Ruse on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The third seed recorded a straight-sets win to start her tournament in New York.

A rise to world No.1 would make Pegula the oldest first-time holder of the WTA top ranking; the current benchmark is Angelique Kerber, who first reached the summit at 28 years and 238 days in September 2016. Pegula, 32, is seeded third at the US Open and is currently ranked world No.3, while Aryna Sabalenka occupies the No.1 position. Pegula was the US Open runner-up in 2024, losing to Sabalenka.

On Arthur Ashe Stadium Pegula broke Elena-Gabriela Ruse twice in each set en route to the 6-3, 6-2 result. She experienced some early nerves but settled into a rhythm, using her baseline game to take control and limiting Ruse’s opportunities to build sustained momentum.

Pegula’s win continues a strong 2026 season: she reached the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time earlier this year and subsequently captured the Dubai title, her fourth WTA 1000 crown. Despite those results she has yet to claim a Grand Slam singles title.

Elena Rybakina, the player whose progress would affect the rankings race, entered New York carrying fitness concerns after retiring from her Cincinnati quarter-final with an ankle injury. That combination of Rybakina’s fitness question and Pegula’s form has put the WTA rankings battle among the tournament’s prominent storylines.

To move to world No.1, Pegula must win the US Open and see Rybakina fail to reach the semi-finals; her immediate task is to keep winning through the draw after this opening victory. The result in New York gives her momentum as she pursues both a first Grand Slam title and a possible ascent to the top ranking.