The road to the US Open main draw begins today. US Open 2026 Qualifying gets underway at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Men’s and women’s singles qualifying headline the opening day. Mixed doubles action also features as Fan Week continues.
Former Grand Slam champion Bianca Andreescu and 2024 Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen are among the biggest names in qualifying. Both bring major tournament experience to the field. Only 16 men and 16 women will earn places in the main draw.
This guide covers the US Open 2026 Qualifying schedule and the key matches to watch. It also highlights Fan Week activities and explains how fans can watch the qualifying action live.
US Open 2026 Qualifying Schedule
The US Open 2026 Qualifying Schedule qualifying tournament runs from August 24 to August 27, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
Here’s what to know about the US Open 2026 Qualifying schedule:
| Quick Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 24–27, 2026 |
| Venue | USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York |
| Events | Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles and Mixed Doubles |
| Tentative Match Timing | 11:00 AM ET / 8:30 PM IST [Opening Matches] |
| Qualifying Ends | August 27, 2026 |
| Main Draw Begins | August 30, 2026 |
Key Matches to Watch in US Open 2026 Qualifying
The men’s and women’s singles qualifying matches run from August 24 to August 27, with four days of action determining the players who advance to the US Open main draw.
Grand Slam experience, qualifying seeding and ATP Tour pedigree add plenty of interest to the contests.
Here’s a closer look at the top three matchups to watch across men’s singles, women’s singles and mixed doubles at US Open 2026.
Men’s Singles Qualifying
Kei Nishikori vs Sebastian Ofner
Kei Nishikori begins his US Open qualifying campaign with a major test. The Japanese star reached the 2014 US Open final and made the semifinals twice. He received a qualifying wild card for what will be his farewell US Open appearance.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Ofner, the No. 16 seed, gives Nishikori a difficult opening opponent. The Austrian holds the seeding advantage, while Nishikori brings greater experience in New York. Their contrasting strengths make this one of the day’s standout matches.
Grigor Dimitrov vs Lorenzo Giustino
Grigor Dimitrov, the No. 25 seed in the qualifying rounds, carries an impressive US Open record into his opening match with Lorenzo Giustino.
He must win through qualifying to reach this year’s main draw after missing out on a main-draw wild card. The former World No. 3 reached the 2019 semifinals after defeating five-time champion Roger Federer.
Lorenzo Giustino, however, gets a valuable opportunity against one of the draw’s biggest names. The Italian will need to challenge Dimitrov early and maintain his level throughout. Their contrasting experience makes this another matchup worth following.
Arthur Géa vs Sumit Nagal
Arthur Géa, the No. 1 seed, faces Sumit Nagal in an intriguing first-round contest. The Frenchman enters as the top seed in the 128-player qualifying draw, giving him an early target to protect against a seasoned opponent.
Sumit Nagal, meanwhile, brings valuable ATP Tour experience into the matchup. The Indian will look to use that experience against Géa and push for a place in the next round. Their contrasting profiles add extra interest for Indian fans.
Women’s Singles Qualifying
Zheng Qinwen vs You Xiaodi
Zheng Qinwen enters as the No. 14 seed in the qualifying rounds of the US Open 2026, with considerable experience on the New York courts.
The 2024 Olympic champion reached the US Open quarterfinals in 2023 and 2024, giving her a strong edge in major-event experience.
You Xiaodi now faces her fellow Chinese player in a difficult opening test. Zheng brings the stronger Grand Slam record, while You will look to disrupt her rhythm and create an early qualifying surprise.
Their all-Chinese matchup adds another layer to an already intriguing contest.
Bianca Andreescu vs Eva Vedder
Bianca Andreescu brings championship pedigree into qualifying as the 2019 US Open winner. She defeated Serena Williams in that final and now returns to the qualifying draw after missing the main draw in 2025.
Eva Vedder faces a former champion with proven success in New York. The Dutch player will need to handle Andreescu’s experience while creating pressure of her own. That contrast makes this one of the most compelling women’s matches to follow.
Polina Kudermetova vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Polina Kudermetova, the No. 1 seed, opens her qualifying campaign against Linda Fruhvirtova. The Russian leads the women’s qualifying field, so she carries clear expectations heading into the first round.
Linda Fruhvirtova, however, has the chance to challenge the top seed from the outset. The Czech player will need to match Kudermetova’s level and handle the pressure of facing the highest-ranked seed. Their matchup gives the opening day another notable test.
Mixed Doubles Qualifying
Katerina Siniakova & Henry Patten vs Tatjana Maria & Valentin Vacherot
Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten bring considerable doubles pedigree into this contest. Siniakova is a multi-time Grand Slam champion and former WTA doubles World No. 1, while Patten has established himself among the leading ATP doubles players.
Tatjana Maria and Valentin Vacherot offer a different challenge as a wildcard pairing. Maria brings extensive tour experience, while Vacherot adds his own doubles strengths. They will need to combine quickly against the accomplished Siniakova-Patten partnership.
Gabriela Dabrowski & Harri Heliövaara vs Kristina Mladenovic & Marcelo Arévalo
Gabriela Dabrowski and Harri Heliövaara bring proven Grand Slam success into this matchup. Both have won major doubles titles, giving them valuable experience when the pressure rises.
Kristina Mladenovic and Marcelo Arévalo, however, offer a similarly accomplished challenge. Mladenovic is a former doubles World No. 1, while Arévalo has won multiple French Open men’s doubles titles. Their experience should keep this contest closely balanced.
Erin Routliffe & Lloyd Glasspool vs Luisa Stefani & Neal Skupski
Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool also arrive with strong Grand Slam credentials. Routliffe is a former US Open champion, while Glasspool has won a Grand Slam title. Their experience gives them a strong platform in qualifying.
Luisa Stefani and Neal Skupski bring major doubles success of their own. Stefani has won a Grand Slam mixed doubles title, while Skupski has collected major doubles titles. Their contrasting strengths should make this another compelling qualifying battle.
Why the Stakes Are Extra High
The two teams that win their qualifying matches will advance to the 16-team US Open 2026 Mixed Doubles main draw. One of those qualifiers will then face the blockbuster wildcard pairing of Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz in the opening round.
US Open 2026 Qualifying Format
The qualifying battle for the US Open 2026 Main Draw runs from August 24 to August 27, with players fighting for the final places in the tournament.
The men’s and women’s singles draws feature 128 players each, with 16 main-draw places available in each event. Players must win three successive matches in the three-round knockout competition to qualify.
Round 1 takes place across August 24 and 25, while the second round follows on August 26. The final qualifying round takes place on August 27, producing the 16 qualifiers in both singles events.
The mixed doubles qualifying draw follows a shorter format, with eight teams competing for two main-draw places. The matches take place on August 24, using short sets to four games, no-ad scoring and a tiebreak at 4-all. A 10-point match tiebreak replaces the deciding third set.
US Open 2026 Fan Week
US Open Fan Week runs from August 23 to August 29 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Fans can enjoy qualifying matches, player practices, family activities and special events, with a free Fan Access Pass required for ground entry.
The week also features Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, Mixed Doubles Qualifying, Media Day, Silent Disco and the US Open Block Party.
Meanwhile, selected events such as the Roger Federer exhibition, Stars of the Open, and some mixed doubles matches require separate tickets.
For 2026, Fan Week adds Mixed Doubles Qualifying and moves Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day to the opening Sunday. Fans can also connect their Fan Access Pass to the US Open app for event reminders, schedules and a personalised itinerary.
How to Watch US Open 2026 Qualifying Live
You can watch the US Open 2026 qualifying and Fan Week action live in the United States on ESPN2, with streaming coverage available through the ESPN App and official US Open streaming platforms. Coverage runs from August 24 to August 27.
In India, Star Sports will carry the television broadcast, while fans can stream the qualifying matches digitally through JioStar.
International viewers can check their regional Grand Slam broadcast partners for live coverage. Meanwhile, the official US Open website provides live scores, match statistics, schedules, and other real-time updates throughout qualifying.
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Conclusion
The US Open 2026 Qualifying stage brings four days of crucial tennis from August 24 to August 27. Players will battle through qualifying for their places in the main draw.
With established names, rising contenders and exciting mixed doubles action, the qualifying rounds offer plenty to follow before the main competition begins.
Tune in on Star Sports or stream on JioStar to watch the US Open 2026 action, follow the matches and enjoy the epic tennis tournament of 2026!
