Sport: Tennis Category: Scores & Results

Novak Djokovic exits US Open as Alcaraz and Sabalenka prepare for play

The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 2:34 PM

Last updated Aug 31, 2026

Novak Djokovic exits US Open as Alcaraz and Sabalenka prepare for play

Summary

The 2026 US Open continues at Flushing Meadows with play underway for the second day of the tournament. Novak Djokovic is out of the competition following a first-round loss, marking his first opening-round defeat at a grand slam event since January 2006. Additional opening matches saw Williams exit the tournament following a late-night start that extended past 2:00 a.m. Carlos Alcaraz and Sabalenka are scheduled to compete on day two as the tournament moves forward. Tournament organizers are managing a two-week schedule at the site. The early elimination of Novak Djokovic represents a significant shift in the draw for the remainder of the event.

Source Links

The Guardian Sport

By the Numbers

•Novak Djokovic lost in the first round of the 2026 US Open.
•Williams lost a match that began at 12:13 a.m. and concluded after 2:00 a.m.
•Carlos Alcaraz and Sabalenka compete on the second day of the tournament.
•The 2026 US Open is scheduled to run for two weeks at Flushing Meadows.

Latest Updates

2:34 PMThe Guardian Sport — US Open 2026: Alcaraz and Sabalenka enter fray on day two after Djokovic shock – live

What they're saying

"
Ailing Djokovic goes out | Williams loses after 2am start You can email Taha and follow us on TikTok and Bluesky A 12.13am start! It’s a no from me. Hello, hello, hello and welcome to another day of action at Flushing Meadows. We’ve got two weeks left of this thing and, somehow, Novak Djokovic is already out of the picture, having suffered his first first-round loss at a slam since January 2006. Wild. Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Taha Hashim

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