Paula Badosa battles through rain delays to reach US Open second round
Spain's Paula Badosa beat Australia's Daria Kasatkina on Wednesday in a match twice halted by rain, setting up a second-round clash with home favorite Coco Gauff.
Hard-fought win after a nerve-wracking finish
Spanish tennis player Paula Badosa advanced to the next round of the US Open on Wednesday, September 2, beating Australia's Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-4, according to VS Sports (AFP). The match had begun on Tuesday, but persistent summer rain forced two stoppages — the last one arriving just as Badosa was serving for the match, before she failed to convert two match points. Play resumed at midday on Wednesday, and despite squandering five more match points, Badosa held her nerve to close out the win.
"Honestly, it was very tough. I left at eleven at night and had to come back very early, maybe to play two points, six games or another full set," Badosa said afterwards, adding that it had been a mental battle because she was very nervous that day.
Badosa, who was born in New York, missed last year's tournament due to one of the injuries that have disrupted her career. The former world number two will now face home favorite Coco Gauff in the second round. According to Eurosport's live match information, that match is scheduled to begin at 01:00 on September 4, 2026.
Context: a strong day for other favorites too
On the same day, Russia's Daniil Medvedev also reached the third round, beating American Sebastian Gorzny (ranked 731st) 6-1, 6-3, 7-5, firing 14 aces and not facing a single break point. The match had a curious moment when the umpire ordered a point replayed after birds landed on the net — a decision Medvedev said he disagreed with.
On the women's side, American Jessica Pegula also impressed, needing just 56 minutes to beat compatriot Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1; she will next face Canada's Leylah Fernandez. The evening session featured defending champions Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who faced Russia's Polina Iatcenko, and Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, who took on Portugal's Jaime Faria as he continues working back from a wrist injury.
