Rain Disrupts US Open Again as Shelton and Pegula Advance on Day 4
Inclement weather caused a second straight day of delays at the US Open, but key matches were completed. Ben Shelton beat Hubert Hurkacz in four sets, while Jessica Pegula defeated Sofia Kenin in straight sets. The tournament's second round continues Thursday on ESPN.
Shelton's victory was built on aggressive returning, as he claimed 45 percent of points against Hurkacz's second serve and struck 44 winners. The American's first serve proved decisive, winning him 73 percent of points behind it. Elsewhere, Daniil Medvedev advanced comfortably in straight sets, while Alex Michelsen upset 16th seed Brandon Nakashima. Daniel Merida also pulled off a surprise, rallying past Andrey Rublev in four sets.
Pegula's straight-sets win over Kenin featured dominant serving, with the top-ranked American winning 83 percent of points on her first serve while committing only eight unforced errors. Karolina Muchova was equally ruthless, dropping just one game against Katie Boulter. Rain has now disrupted play on consecutive days, forcing schedule adjustments as the tournament works to complete second-round matches.
Persistent rain delays could test fan patience and strain the tournament's scheduling flexibility, potentially pushing matches deeper into the week and affecting player recovery time. However, strong showings by American players like Shelton and Pegula may sustain domestic viewer interest, as home-country success often drives engagement. The disruptions could also influence how future Grand Slams plan for weather contingencies, though the tournament's ability to complete key matches suggests resilience that may reassure fans and broadcast partners alike.