US Open Day 3: Rain slows outer courts as Keys tops Korneeva
Day 3 of the 2026 U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows is unfolding under closed roofs on Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong as rain again halts outer-court play. Madison Keys took the first set 7-5 over Alina Korneeva in korneeva tennis action, while Francisco Comesana led No. 5 Flavio Cobolli. Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev headline tonight.
For the third straight day, wet weather has reshaped the schedule at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Morning rain meant only the two roofed show courts could host live tennis early on, with humidity near 93% and temperatures around 73°F.
Key Takeaways
- Madison Keys won the opening set 7-5 against 19-year-old Russian debutant Alina Korneeva on Arthur Ashe.
- Francisco Comesana seized a 6-3 first set against fifth seed Flavio Cobolli on Louis Armstrong.
- Rain paused play on outer courts for a third consecutive day; Grandstand and field courts were delayed.
- Taylor Fritz, Mirra Andreeva, Elena Rybakina and Alex de Minaur remain on the day-session slate.
- Coco Gauff and men's No. 1 Alexander Zverev are scheduled for the Ashe night session.
How is rain affecting US Open Day 3?
Unlike the first two days, when showers mainly disrupted evening matches, Tuesday began with steady rain across Flushing Meadows. The Athletic reported that only Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong could stage matches under closed roofs, while play on uncovered courts—including Grandstand—was held up.
The Guardian noted that outer-court action would not start until at least midday New York time. Fans still filled the grounds in ponchos, though crowds were thinner than on Sunday and Monday.
What happened in Madison Keys vs Alina Korneeva?
Keys, the 2025 Australian Open champion and No. 22 seed, opened strongly against Korneeva, breaking for 2-0 and stretching to 3-0. Korneeva fought back, breaking Keys when the American served for the set at 5-4 before Keys closed it 7-5 when the Russian sent a forehand long after a long rally.
Korneeva, making her U.S. Open main-draw debut at 19, showed flashes of quality but could not consistently handle Keys' power from behind the baseline. Keys won the set despite landing just 45% of first serves, a number she will need to improve to advance comfortably.
Keys is trying to avoid a repeat of 2025, when she lost in the first round to Renata Zarazúa. She reached the 2017 U.S. Open final but has not passed the fourth round at a major in 2026.
Did Francisco Comesana upset Flavio Cobolli?
On Louis Armstrong, world No. 119 Comesana stunned Cobolli by taking the first set 6-3. The Argentine saved four break points in a nine-minute opening game, then broke twice while Cobolli struggled on second-serve points.
Comesana extended his lead to 6-3, 5-2 with an ace down the T. Cobolli, the French Open runner-up and Cincinnati semifinalist, had never won from two sets down and faced early pressure to avoid a first-round exit like Novak Djokovic and Arthur Fils suffered earlier in the week.
Who plays later on US Open Day 3?
Per the published order of play, Taylor Fritz (9) faces Darwin Blanch and 2026 French Open champion Mirra Andreeva (5) meets Janice Tjen on Armstrong after the opening matches. Grandstand features Elena Rybakina (2) against Thea Frodin, Britain's Arthur Fery against Lorenzo Musetti (13), and Alex de Minaur (6) versus Andrea Guerrieri—pending rain delays.
Tonight on Arthur Ashe, Coco Gauff (4) headlines before Zverev opens his campaign. Coverage is on ESPN, with U.S. streaming available on Fubo.
Thanasi Kokkinakis withdrew from singles with injury before facing Rafael Jodar (12); lucky loser Yunchaokete Bu replaced him on Stadium 17.
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