According to USA Today, the 2026 US Open enters its final week at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center with seven of the top ten women’s seeds still active, while only three men’s seeds remain to contend for the $5.5 million singles prize. The tournament’s opening week combined dominant performances with high-profile upsets, scheduling controversies, and notable off-court disruptions.
American Men Make Historic Push After Week 1
According to USA Today, five American men reached the fourth round, marking the deepest run for the host country’s male players since 1995. Despite Taylor Fritz bowing out in the third round after blowing a two-set lead against Francisco Cerúndolo, compatriot Ben Shelton (seeded eighth), Frances Tiafoe (seeded eleventh), and unseeded 22-year-old Alex Michelsen advanced to the quarterfinals.
Bleacher Report notes that Frances Tiafoe secured his quarterfinal spot by defeating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets (7-6, 6-4, 7-6) at Louis Armstrong Stadium, improving his career record at the venue to 10-0. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Tommy Paul in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-4), showcasing a dominant forehand in his strongest performance since returning from a wrist injury, according to Bleacher Report.
Schedule Pressures and Late-Night Finishes Draw Scrutiny
According to USA Today, late-night match schedules drew criticism during the first week. The tournament’s opening-round match between Venus Williams and Sofia Kenin did not commence until 12:13 a.m. ET, delayed in part by Novak Djokovic’s four-hour, 36-minute four-set loss to Mariano Navone. USA Today reports that four additional matches concluded past 1:30 a.m., placing responsibility squarely on the United States Tennis Association and television partner ESPN.
Disruptions and Environmental Factors Impact Play
According to USA Today, tournament top seed Aryna Sabalenka faced an unusual interruption during her third-round match against Kamilla Rakhimova due to chronic marijuana smoke drifting near the courts. “Guys, you can do whatever, you can smoke whatever, you can relax as much as you can, but please, do not do it around the tennis courts,” Sabalenka stated, as reported by USA Today. In addition to environmental hurdles, tournament organizers cracked down on crowd behavior, stripping credentials from two influencers amid broader concerns regarding social media disruptions during matches.
Did You Know?
Alex Michelsen became the first unseeded man this century to reach the US Open quarterfinals without dropping a set, winning 81 percent of his first-serve points against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, according to Bleacher Report data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the remaining men’s top seeds at the 2026 US Open?
According to USA Today, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Ben Shelton are the only remaining seeded players from the men’s field heading into the final week.
How much is the singles tournament prize at the US Open?
According to USA Today, singles champions will collect a $5.5 million check at the conclusion of the tournament.
Which American players advanced to the quarterfinals?
According to USA Today and Bleacher Report, American men Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Alex Michelsen advanced to the quarterfinals following strong Week 1 performances.
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