By Tony FairbairnMarta Kostyuk [11] v Sloane Stephens [WC]Ben Shelton [8] v Hubert HurkaczJessica Pegula [3] v Sofia Kenin [WC]NEW YORK, USA – Marta Kostyuk will take on former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the second round on day four of the last Grand Slam of the season.
Marta Kostyuk [11] v Sloane Stephens [WC] H2H & Match FundamentalsMarta Kostyuk [11] v Sloane Stephens [WC]H2H: Kostyuk leads 1-0US Open 2026 New York, USA Hard (O)Prize Money: $190,000Second on Louis Armstrong Stadium (18:30 BST)Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
It’s been quite the season for Marta Kostyuk who has been in incredible form. An incredible clay court season was capped off by a Roland Garros semi-final before achieving the same feat at Wimbledon. The Ukrainian has also had an incredible US hard court season achieving good results in Canada and Cincinnati. Check this out for a fact which backs up Kostyuk’s sensational form, every time the Ukrainian has lost in recent months she has lost to the eventual champion. That is some stat and Kostyuk will fancy her chances of causing more chaos at the US Open as she targets a first Grand Slam title.
The next test for Kostyuk is former US Open champion Sloane Stephens who won the title eight years ago now. The American is just returning from injury and finds herself outside of the world’s top 200 as she looks to build her confidence back up. It was looking grim for Stephens but the 33 year-old entered the US Open with some form from Cincinnati and that was backed up with a stunning win over Clara Tauson in the opening round. The athleticism and power from Stephens makes a dangerous proposition and will look to cause a massive upset here.
Kostyuk will look to be aggressive on serve and will use the forehand to dictate play as she looks to make Stephens move around the court. Meanwhile Stephens will use the forehand to make Kostyuk move behind the baseline while using the dropshot to bring Kostyuk into the net. This will be a test for Kostyuk but the Ukrainian should have too much quality for Stephens in this match.
Prediction: Kostyuk in straight sets.
Ben Shelton [8] v Hubert Hurkacz H2H & Match FundamentalsBen Shelton [8] v Hubert Hurkacz H2H: First Meeting US Open 2026 New York, USA Hard (O)Prize Money: $190,000Second on Arthur Ashe Stadium (18:00 BST)Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
The inconsistency of Ben Shelton has seen the American be out of favour when it comes to being a title contender. Things were going Shelton’s way when he defended the title in Canada but a first round defeat in Cincinnati has left his US Open chances in some doubt. The eighth seed is a former semi-finalist in New York and his game is perfect for the conditions at the US Open. Now, Shelton will be hoping to make the most of that as he looks to avoid a first week upset just like he suffered at Wimbledon in his last Grand Slam appearance.
A severe test awaits Shelton as he takes on former Grand Slam semi-finalist Hubert Hurkacz. The Pole has clicked into gear recently as he reached the Wimbledon second week and has followed that up with some good wins in Montreal as well as winning a Challenger event in Mexico. It’s been a tough last year for Hurkacz but the Pole is capable of beating any player on his day with an accurate serve. Now, Hurkacz will aim to cause a huge upset on his way to the third round in New York.
Shelton will aim to serve aggressively and will use the forehand to keep Hurkacz behind the baseline. Meanwhile, Hurkacz will be accurate on serve and will look to approach the net in order to keep the points short. It should be a decent test for Shelton in a match that is expected to be tight but the American will live to fight another day.
Prediction: Shelton in four sets.
Jessica Pegula [3] v Sofia Kenin [WC] H2H & Match FundamentalsJessica Pegula [3] v Sofia Kenin [WC]H2H: Pegula leads 4-2 US Open 2026 New York, USA Hard (O)Prize Money: $190,000First on Arthur Ashe Stadium (16:30 BST)Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
It was quite the start to her US Open campaign for Jessica Pegula. The American cruised past Elena Gabriela Ruse in straight sets on Arthur Ashe Stadium to send a real statement of intent. The third seed has had a very good pre-US Open swing and will be hoping to transfer that form into New York as she targets a first Grand Slam title of her career. The question is can Pegula maintain this form throughout the fortnight and bring her best tennis in the big moments?
A former Grand Slam champion now awaits in the second round in the form of American wildcard Sofia Kenin. It was a good performance from Kenin to add to Venus Williams’ woes as she booked her place in the second round. It hasn’t been the easiest last 12 months for Kenin who has battled injuries and a lack of confidence. However, Kenin has been playing better tennis and will now hope she can cause a monumental upset and shake up the women’s draw at this year’s US Open.
Pegula will serve aggressively as she looks to take the forehand early and dominate the baseline exchanges. Kenin will need to take the returns early and step inside the baseline in order to pin Pegula behind the baseline. This will be a good test of Pegula’s title credentials but the third seed is expected to move on in New York.
Prediction: Pegula in straight sets.
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