Tennis

Jessica Pegula and Karolina Muchova Advance as Rain Disrupts US Open Schedule

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 3, 2026, 03:56 IST

No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula cruised into the third round of the US Open with a swift victory over Sofia Kenin, while Karolina Muchova also secured a dominant win amidst persistent rain delays in New York.

Jessica Pegula and Karolina Muchova Advance as Rain Disrupts US Open Schedule

Jessica Pegula navigated the challenging weather conditions at the US Open on Wednesday, securing a swift passage into the third round. The No. 3 seed required just 56 minutes to dismantle fellow American Sofia Kenin, recording a 6-3, 6-1 victory that allowed her to avoid the worst of the persistent rain affecting the tournament schedule.

The win marked a significant milestone for Pegula, representing her 31st hard-court victory of the season. This achievement moves her past Elena Rybakina for the most hard-court wins on the women's tour this year. With 47 total match wins across all surfaces in 2026, Pegula is currently tied with Alexander Zverev for the most victories on either the men's or women's professional tours.

Efficient Progress Amidst Tournament Delays

While Pegula was able to complete her second-round match comfortably, the tournament has been plagued by inclement weather. The rain has caused significant disruptions, leaving some competitors struggling to finish their opening-round matches. While play continued under the roofs of Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, outside courts faced repeated suspensions.

Reflecting on the efficiency of her performance, Pegula noted the rarity of such a quick turnaround during a Grand Slam. She is now set to face Leylah Fernandez in the third round on Friday. Although Pegula holds a 3-1 advantage in their head-to-head record, this upcoming encounter will mark their first meeting at a major tournament.

Other Notable Results

Elsewhere in the draw, No. 7 seed Karolina Muchova continued her strong form by defeating Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-0 to secure her place in the third round. The Wimbledon runner-up was joined in the next stage by No. 11 seed Marta Kostyuk, who overcame 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-1, 7-5. Additionally, No. 19 seed Jasmine Paolini advanced after a 6-4, 6-1 victory over fellow Italian Lucrezia Stefanini.

The scheduling uncertainty has created a mental hurdle for many players. Paula Badosa, who completed a 6-1, 6-4 win over Daria Kasatkina on Wednesday after her match was halted the previous day, admitted to the difficulties of preparing for a match resumption. Badosa noted that the unpredictability of the schedule, which left her unsure of how much tennis she would need to play, made the preparation process particularly nerve-wracking.