Jessica Pegula is in a closely contested third-round match against 31st seed Leylah Fernandez at the 2026 US Open on Friday, September 4. Pegula dropped the opening set but fought back to level the match and force a deciding set, while defending champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round. Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled to face Yibing Wu later on Day 6 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Full Article

Introduction

The 2026 US Open has reached another pivotal stage, and Day 6 is bringing several major storylines to Flushing Meadows. No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula is battling No. 31 seed Leylah Fernandez in the women's singles third round at Arthur Ashe Stadium, while world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has already secured her place in the fourth round.

Pegula entered Friday's match in strong form, having won her opening two matches without dropping a set. But Fernandez, a former US Open finalist, has made the contest considerably more difficult than Pegula's previous matches in New York.

Sabalenka, meanwhile, continued her title defense with a straight-sets victory over Kamilla Rakhimova. On the men's side, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled to take on China's Yibing Wu later in the day.

What Happened on Day 6?

Friday marks the beginning of the third round at the US Open, meaning players are just one victory away from reaching the round of 16.

For Pegula, the assignment is particularly important. The American entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed and reached the US Open final in 2024. She opened this year's tournament with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Elena-Gabriela Ruse before producing an even more convincing performance against Sofia Kenin.

Pegula defeated Kenin 6-3, 6-1 in only 56 minutes, reaching the third round for a seventh consecutive year. The WTA reported that Pegula improved to 47-12 for the 2026 season following that victory.

Her opponent, Fernandez, also arrived in the third round without dropping a set. The Canadian defeated Shuai Zhang 6-3, 6-2 before beating Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4, 6-1.

The matchup therefore brought together two players who had looked comfortable through the opening rounds.

Jessica Pegula vs Leylah Fernandez: A Close Battle

The third-round match quickly became one of the day's major women's matches.

Fernandez made the better start, taking the opening set. Pegula responded strongly, however, recovering to level the contest and force a deciding third set, according to live coverage from The Guardian.

That comeback changed the complexion of the match.

Pegula entered the tournament with a 3-1 advantage over Fernandez in their previous meetings, including a straight-sets win in Miami earlier in 2026. Their history also includes a dramatic 2025 meeting in Washington, where Fernandez won 7-5 in the deciding set.

The current US Open contest is therefore another chapter in an increasingly competitive rivalry.

Why the Match Matters

Pegula is pursuing her first Grand Slam singles title. She has already demonstrated that she can consistently go deep at major tournaments, but a championship remains missing from her résumé.

A win over Fernandez would send her into the round of 16 and keep her title hopes alive.

For Fernandez, the stakes are equally significant. The Canadian was the US Open runner-up in 2021 and is trying to recapture that level on the New York hard courts.

Aryna Sabalenka Advances

While Pegula's match remained unresolved, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka had already booked her place in the fourth round.

The world No. 1 defeated Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan 6-3, 6-4.

The victory extended Sabalenka's US Open winning streak to 16 matches as she continues her attempt to win a third consecutive women's singles title. Reuters reported that Sabalenka produced particularly strong serving in the first set and handled a more competitive second set to close out the match in straight sets.

Sabalenka's run is one of the defining stories of the women's tournament.

She opened her title defense with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Camila Osorio and then defeated Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 before facing Rakhimova.

The Belarusian now waits for the winner of the match involving Taylor Townsend and Diana Shnaider for her fourth-round opponent.

Carlos Alcaraz Still to Come

Carlos Alcaraz is another major name scheduled to appear on Day 6.

The No. 2 seed and defending men's champion is due to face Yibing Wu in the third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Alcaraz entered the tournament after approximately four months away from competition because of a right wrist problem. He began his title defense by defeating Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 before overcoming Jaime Faria in four sets in the second round.

His match against Wu represents another important test as he attempts to continue his return to full Grand Slam competition.

The third-round match is scheduled for the afternoon session following Pegula's women's singles contest.

Key Details From US Open Day 6

• Jessica Pegula: No. 3 seed, facing Leylah Fernandez in the women's third round.
• Pegula's first two results: Defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2 and Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1.
• Leylah Fernandez: No. 31 seed and 2021 US Open finalist.
• Pegula-Fernandez: Pegula leads their previous meetings 3-1.
• Aryna Sabalenka: Defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round.
• Carlos Alcaraz: Scheduled to face Yibing Wu in the men's third round.
• Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
• Tournament: 2026 US Open, the year's final Grand Slam.

Background: Jessica Pegula's US Open Record

Pegula has established herself as one of the most consistent American players on the women's tour.

Her biggest US Open singles result came in 2024, when she reached the final. She also reached the semifinals in 2025, according to WTA records.

That consistency has made her one of the leading contenders in New York again this year.

The 32-year-old American entered the 2026 US Open as the No. 3 seed and has already enjoyed a productive hard-court summer.

She reached the final of the Cincinnati Open in August, defeating Iga Swiatek in the semifinals before losing to Coco Gauff in the championship match. WTA records show that Pegula also reached the final of the Washington, D.C. tournament earlier in the summer.

Her form explains why expectations surrounding her US Open campaign are high.

Background: Leylah Fernandez

Fernandez is no stranger to the biggest stage.

The Canadian broke through at the 2021 US Open, reaching the final as a teenager before losing to Emma Raducanu.

Her route back to the latter stages of a Grand Slam has been more difficult since then, but she has already produced two solid wins at this year's US Open.

Fernandez's straight-set victories over Zhang and Sawangkaew put her into the third round, where she faced one of the highest-ranked players remaining in the draw.

Her left-handed game and ability to absorb and redirect pace make the matchup with Pegula particularly interesting.

What Officials and Organizations Said

The WTA highlighted Pegula's strong performance against Kenin, particularly noting that the American reached the third round for the seventh straight year.

Reuters reported that Pegula had not dropped a set entering her third-round match and described Fernandez as a player who was beginning to regain her best form.

The US Open's official schedule lists Pegula versus Fernandez as a third-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, alongside Alcaraz's meeting with Wu.

Because Pegula's match was still developing at the time of this report, no final winner should be declared until the match is officially completed.

Other Important Day 6 Results

Pegula and Sabalenka were not the only major women's storylines.

No. 11 seed Marta Kostyuk defeated No. 18 Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-2 to reach the fourth round.

No. 16 seed Sorana Cirstea also advanced, defeating Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-3. It was Cirstea's first appearance in the US Open fourth round in three years, according to Reuters.

These results mean the women's draw is beginning to take shape as the tournament moves toward its second week.

Why This Matters

The third round is where the US Open draw begins to separate the genuine title contenders from the rest of the field.

For Pegula, reaching the fourth round would maintain her pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam championship and another deep run in New York.

For Sabalenka, the stakes are even higher. She is defending her title and attempting to win the US Open for a third consecutive year. Her latest victory over Rakhimova keeps that historic bid on track.

Alcaraz's appearance is also significant because this is his first US Open since returning from a wrist injury that kept him away from competitive tennis for several months.

What Happens Next?

Pegula and Fernandez will finish their third-round contest with the winner advancing to the round of 16.

Sabalenka has already advanced and will next face the winner of Taylor Townsend versus Diana Shnaider.

Alcaraz is scheduled to play Yibing Wu later Friday.

As the tournament moves deeper into the draw, the focus will shift increasingly toward fourth-round matchups and potential quarterfinal combinations.

For Pegula, the immediate objective is much simpler: finish the deciding set against Fernandez and keep her US Open title hopes alive.

Source of the Content

This article is based on the latest available information on September 4, 2026, cross-checked using the official US Open and WTA websites, Reuters, ESPN and live coverage from The Guardian. Match schedules and player records were checked against official tournament and WTA information where available.

FAQs

1. Who is Jessica Pegula playing at the 2026 US Open?

Jessica Pegula is playing Canada's Leylah Fernandez in the third round of the 2026 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

2. Is Jessica Pegula still in the US Open?

Yes. Pegula reached the third round after defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Sofia Kenin in straight sets. Her third-round match against Fernandez was still being played at the time of this report.

3. What happened in the Pegula vs Fernandez match?

Fernandez won the opening set, but Pegula fought back to level the match and force a deciding third set, according to live coverage.

4. Has Aryna Sabalenka advanced at the US Open?

Yes. Sabalenka defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 and reached the fourth round.

5. Is Carlos Alcaraz playing on Day 6?

Yes. Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled to face Yibing Wu in the men's third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

6. What is Jessica Pegula's best US Open result?

Pegula reached the US Open singles final in 2024. She has also reached the semifinals in 2025.

7. How many times have Pegula and Fernandez played?

Pegula entered their 2026 US Open meeting with a 3-1 advantage in their previous matches. Their most recent meeting before New York came at the 2026 Miami Open, where Pegula won 6-2, 6-2.

8. Why is Pegula's US Open run important?

Pegula is seeking her first Grand Slam singles title. A victory over Fernandez would move her into the fourth round and keep her bid for a maiden major championship alive.

Primary sources and reporting used: US Open official site · WTA official player information · Reuters live tournament coverage · Reuters on Sabalenka's victory · WTA report on Pegula's second-round victory