{
  "id": 4523365,
  "title": "Pegula cruises, Krejcikova crashes out as US Open begins",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/pegula-cruises-krejcikova-crashes-out-as-us-open-begins-4523365",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-30T22:21:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/08/31/pegula-cruises-krejcikova-crashes-out-as-us-open-begins"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Highest-ranked American Jessica Pegula advanced to the second round of the US Open with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse at Flushing Meadows. However, 27th seed Barbora Krejcikova was eliminated in her opening match, losing 7-6(4), 6-2 to Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova. The tournament's record $108 million purse was available for the taking, and the home crowd was thrilled as Pegula showcased her skills on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The winner of Venus Williams and Sofia Kenin's match will face Pegula in the next round. Earlier, Italian Jasmine Paolini edged out Slovenia's Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 at Louis Armstrong Stadium, and will face the victor of the match between Lucrezia Stefanini and Dayana Yastremska. Several players withdrew due to injuries, including 2022 finalist Casper Ruud and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, leaving the field with notable absences.",
  "summary": "American world No 3 Jessica Pegula rewards the home crowd with a win as Barbora Krejcikova becomes the first seeded player to exit.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "US Open begins under sunny skies",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/us-open-begins-under-sunny-skies",
        "published": "2026-08-30T15:16:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Pegula cruises, Krejcikova crashes out as US Open begins",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/pegula-cruises-krejcikova-crashes-out-as-us-open-begins-4523428",
        "published": "2026-08-30T22:21:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}