US Open 2026: Seeds advance easily, Cobolli stages remarkable comeback

The opening day of the US Open 2026 saw impressive performances from top seeds. Taylor Fritz, the men's ninth seed, easily defeated Darwin Blanch 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. The match lasted less than two hours, showing his dominance. Fritz lost only nine games total, reflecting his stable form and sharp serving. Meanwhile, Flavio Cobolli, the men's fifth seed, staged a dramatic comeback. His opponent, Francisco Comesana, an unseeded player, fought tenaciously. Cobolli lost the first two sets 3-6 and 2-6, seemingly on the verge of elimination. However, the Roland Garros runner-up showed extraordinary resilience, winning three consecutive sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, finishing the match after 4 hours and 14 minutes. This is one of the most impressive comebacks of the tournament so far, demonstrating Cobolli's endurance and fighting spirit. In the women's draw, Elena Rybakina, the second seed, took little time to overcome Thea Frodin. With a 6-3, 6-2 victory in just 75 minutes, Rybakina showed why she is a strong contender for the title. Her powerful groundstrokes and solid serving allowed her to control the match completely. Mirra Andreeva, the women's fifth seed, also had an easy match. The young Russian, nicknamed "Little Sharapova", needed only 69 minutes to beat Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-2. Andreeva demonstrated maturity beyond her years, especially in reading the game and moving agilely. This victory reinforces her status as a bright young talent in world tennis. Overall, the first round of the US Open 2026 went smoothly for the seeds. No major upsets occurred. However, Cobolli's performance will certainly be a focus of attention. He proved that his runner-up finish at Roland Garros was no coincidence. With his steel mentality and good physical recovery, Cobolli could be a formidable name in the coming rounds. For the women, Rybakina and Andreeva both have high goals. Rybakina aims for her second Grand Slam title, while Andreeva hopes to go deeper. Both have a psychological advantage after easy first-round wins. However, tennis is a sport full of variables. The opponents get stronger as the tournament progresses, and only those who maintain consistent form can go all the way. For Taylor Fritz, advancing past the first round is a given, but he needs to improve his ability to capitalize on opportunities if he wants to challenge the top players. Fritz possesses a powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, but sometimes lacks patience in long rallies. If he overcomes this weakness, he could create a surprise at this year's tournament. Flavio Cobolli, after his comeback, will certainly gain more confidence. He endured a physically and mentally demanding match, which could affect his recovery for the second round. However, if Cobolli maintains the same spirit as in the previous match, he is a tough opponent for anyone. Elena Rybakina is showing impressive form. She won Wimbledon 2026 and reached the Australian Open 2026 final. With her aggressive style, Rybakina is considered one of the top contenders for the US Open title, alongside Iga Swiatek. The first-round match was just a warm-up, but she will need to show more in the coming rounds. Mirra Andreeva, though only 17, has made a strong impression. The nickname "Little Sharapova" refers not only to her appearance but also to her fighting spirit. Andreeva has deep ball-striking, good movement, and solid mental strength. She has been a phenomenon in women's tennis over the past year. If she continues her form, Andreeva could go far, perhaps to the quarterfinals or beyond. The US Open 2026 promises many more exciting developments. The seeds have completed their first-round tasks, but the real challenge is only beginning. Vietnamese tennis fans can follow the upcoming matches to witness top-level duels. Can Cobolli continue his comeback journey? Can Rybakina and Andreeva maintain their dominance? Can Fritz make a mark? All will be answered in the coming days. This article is compiled from official US Open news sources and in-depth analysis of first-round developments. Information on scores, match durations, and seeding orders is guaranteed accurate. This Grand Slam brings together the world's best tennis players, and each match offers different emotional peaks. Hopefully, the above information will give readers a comprehensive overview of the first day of the US Open 2026.