Day 4 of US Open singles draw play generated quick wins for American tennis stars Jessica Pegula and Taylor Townsend. This is good news because rain has been an issue for the tournament, and players are still concluding first round matches in an effort to catch up. In the luck of the draw, Pegula and Townsend have not dealt with rain or weather-related issues. They needed 56 and 48 minutes respectively in their wins. MORE: After US Open loss, conspiracy theorists diagnose Novak Djokovic’s mystery illness Efficiency the key for Pegula, Townsend Pegula lost just four games, defeating fellow American Sofia Kenin, 6-3, 6-1.
August 31, 2026; New York, United States; Taylor Townsend of the U.S. in action during her first round match against Poland’s Maja Chwalinska. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Townsend lost two games, and in an amazing stat, won every one of her first serve points (23 for 23) in her 6-1, 6-1 win over Australian Taylah Preston. MORE: Alexander Zverev survives massive scare from Lorenzo Sonego at US Open Townsend is the double threat Besides advancing in singles, Taylor Townsend, 30, will play women’s doubles with longtime partner Katerina Siniakova. The duo is the top seeded team in the US Open draw that also includes Venus and Serena Williams. The US Open is the only Grand Slam that Townsend has never won. She won Wimbledon in 2024, the Australian Open in 2025, and the 2026 French Open, all with Siniakova. It’s early in the tournament, and there is a lot of tennis to be played, but Pegula and Townsend are proving they are names to watch as the US Open moves into the latter rounds. Watch the US Open on ESPN through September 13. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —