Jessica Pegula, Taylor Townsend win second-round US Open matches in warp speed

Day 4 of US Open singles draw play generated quick wins for American tennis stars Jessica Pegula and Taylor Townsend.

This is good news because rain has been an issue for the tournament, and players are still concluding first-round matches in an effort to catch up.

In the luck of the draw, Pegula and Townsend have not dealt with rain or weather-related issues. They needed 56 and 48 minutes, respectively, to secure their wins.

Pegula lost just four games, defeating fellow American Sofia Kenin, 6-3, 6-1.

August 31, 2026; New York, United States; Taylor Townsend of the U.S. in action during her first round match against Poland's Maja Chwalinska. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Townsend lost two games, and in an amazing stat, won every one of her first serve points (23-for-23) in her 6-1, 6-1 win over Australian Taylah Preston.

Besides advancing in singles, Townsend, 30, will play women's doubles with longtime partner Katerina Siniakova. The duo is the top-seeded team in a US Open draw that also includes Venus and Serena Williams.

The US Open is the only Grand Slam Townsend has never won in doubles. She won Wimbledon in 2024, the Australian Open in 2025 and the 2026 French Open, all with Siniakova.

It's early in the tournament, and there is a lot of tennis to be played, but Pegula and Townsend are proving they are names to watch as the US Open moves into the latter rounds.

Watch the US Open on ESPN through Sept. 13.