2026 US Open: 10 Americans Advance to Round of 16 as Jovic Wins 3-Hour Thriller

A total of 10 American singles players have reached the Round of 16 at the 2026 US Open, the highest number of men in the fourth round since 1995.

The 2026 US Open enters its second week with 10 Americans remaining in the singles draws, following a third round where 15 players from the United States competed. This collective performance marks the most Americans to reach the third round since 2002. Among the five men remaining—the highest count in the fourth round since 1995—No. 8 Ben Shelton and No. 11 Frances Tiafoe lead the contingent. On the women’s side, 18-year-old Iva Jovic secured her spot in the Round of 16 with a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 victory over No. 17 Alexandra Eala in a match lasting over three hours on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Pegula and Gauff Pursue World No. 1 Ranking

No. 3 Jessica Pegula advanced after defeating 2021 runner-up Leylah Fernandez. Despite a 6-1 opening set loss characterized by a "lazy start," the 32-year-old Pegula rallied to win the match, having previously beaten Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Sofia Kenin while losing only nine games across those first two rounds. Pegula, a 2024 finalist in New York, now faces No. 16 Sorana Cirstea. A title win next week would grant Pegula the world No. 1 ranking.

Defending 2023 champion Coco Gauff, now 22, reached the fourth round for the fifth time by defeating Zeynep Sonmez, Paula Badosa, and Cristina Bucsa. Gauff secured her win against Badosa in a second-set tiebreak. She is scheduled to face Jovic on Monday, a player she defeated in three sets at the Italian Open in May. Gauff, who recently won the 2026 Cincinnati Open, could also claim the top world ranking by securing her third major singles title.

Jovic and Navarro Secure Upset Victories

Iva Jovic, currently ranked a career-high No. 14, is the first American woman aged 18 or under to reach this stage since Gauff. Before her three-hour win against Eala, Jovic defeated Magdalena Frech and Francesca Jones. She entered the tournament having won the 500-level Guadalajara Open in late 2025 and reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals earlier this year.

No. 26 Emma Navarro returned to the second week by upsetting No. 7 seed Karolina Muchova 6-3, 7-5 on Friday. Navarro, a former NCAA champion and 2024 US Open semifinalist, required deciding sets in her first two victories over Lois Boisson and Caty McNally. She next faces No. 21 Anna Kalinskaya, a player she has never beaten in two previous attempts. Meanwhile, world No. 96 Taylor Townsend reached the fourth round by defeating No. 20 Maja Chwalinska 6-2, 6-3, Taylah Preston, and No. 15 Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-3. Townsend now meets world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Shelton and Tiafoe Lead American Men

Ben Shelton, the 23-year-old No. 8 seed, advanced through the draw by beating Tallon Griekspoor, Hubert Hurkacz, and Denis Shapovalov. Shelton, who won his second consecutive Canadian Open title last month, dropped his first set of the tournament 6-1 before recovering. He faces Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday, looking to reach his sixth career Slam quarterfinal.

No. 11 Frances Tiafoe reached the fourth round without dropping a set since his opening match against Martin Damm Jr. He defeated Rei Sakamoto and No. 22 Valentin Vacherot, winning the latter 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Tiafoe, a two-time semifinalist in New York, will play 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev on the Armstrong court. Although Tiafoe is 0-6 in tour-level meetings against Medvedev, he previously beat him at the 2024 Laver Cup.

Tien and Paul Complete the Draw

Learner Tien, 20, reached the fourth round without dropping a set in his first three matches, including a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win over Gael Monfils and a five-set victory over No. 17 Jakub Mensik. Tien, who reached the Canadian Open semifinals in August, will face Karen Khachanov on Monday. Finally, No. 20 Tommy Paul advanced to face No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz after a five-set win over No. 15 Alexander Bublik. Paul, who defeated Alexander Zverev in Cincinnati earlier this summer, previously beat Alcaraz at the 2023 Canadian Open.