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US Open 2026: Watch Day 5 with Zverev, Gauff, and Osaka
The first round is in the books. The early nerves, the five-set escapes, the surprise exits — all filed away. Day 5 at the 2026 US Open belongs to the heavyweights.
Alexander Zverev, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Taylor Fritz, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Gael Monfils. It’s a schedule built for prime time, even if it starts before lunch.
And you don’t need a cable subscription to see any of it.
Where the US Open Lives on TV
In the United States, the US Open remains anchored to ESPN. That’s your main home, with coverage spread across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and the ESPN app, depending on the session and court.
Cord cut long ago? You still have plenty of ways in.
- DirecTV: The base package starts at $59.99 for the first month and includes ABC and ESPN+.
- ESPN Unlimited: ESPN’s own streaming option, with live sports and archived shows, from $29.99 per month.
- Fubo: Carries ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 in its Sports plan at $65.99 per month, with a quarterly billing option if you prefer.
- Sling: The Essentials plan includes ESPN and ESPN2 for $19.99 per month. There’s also a Sling TV Day Pass for $4.99 if you only care about a specific day’s play.
- YouTube TV: Its Sports Plan brings ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 for $64.99 per month.
As always, the fine print matters: you’ll need the right package tier to guarantee all the channels that carry the Open.
How to Watch the US Open for Free in the US
If you’re not ready to commit to a monthly bill, the free-trial route is your best friend.
DirecTV, FuboTV, and YouTube TV all offer trial periods that can cover key stretches of the tournament. Time it right, and you can ride those days through some of the biggest matches without paying up front.
Then there’s the Australian option.
9Now, VPNs, and the Australian Workaround
In Australia, 9Now is streaming the 2026 US Open for free. For viewers in the US, UK, or elsewhere who can’t tap into domestic trials, a virtual private network (VPN) opens another lane.
A VPN lets you connect to a server in another country and access content that’s normally geo-locked. ExpressVPN is one such service, with a wide spread of global servers and a strong reputation for streaming.
To watch the US Open via 9Now with a VPN, the steps are simple:
- Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN such as ExpressVPN.
- Install the VPN app on your device of choice.
- Connect to a server located in Australia.
- Head to 9Now and start streaming the live coverage.
Top-tier VPNs generally aren’t free, but many offer short free trials or money-back windows for first-time users. Used smartly, that can carry you through the Open without a long-term cost.
A Quick Tip for Your TV
One small detail that can change how tennis looks at home: motion smoothing.
Turn it on, and the pace of the ball and movement can appear smoother and sharper during live sport. Turn it off once you’re done, or your films and shows will slide into that dreaded “soap opera” look. It’s a simple tweak, but for a tournament played at this speed, it’s worth the extra button press.
Day 5 Schedule: Stars All Over the Order of Play
Play begins at 11 a.m. ET, and the day doesn’t let up.
Women’s Singles – Round Two
- 11:30 a.m. ET Naomi Osaka vs. Kateřina Siniaková
- 12:40 p.m. ET Alex Eala vs. Oleksandra Oliynykova
- 7 p.m. ET Coco Gauff vs. Paula Badosa
Osaka, a former champion in New York, steps back into a stage she knows well. Gauff, now one of the faces of American tennis, closes the night session against the dangerous Paula Badosa.
Men’s Singles – Round Two
- 11 a.m. ET Félix Auger-Aliassime vs. Karen Khachanov
- 1 p.m. ET Taylor Fritz vs. Mattia Bellucci
- 7 p.m. ET Learner Tien vs. Gael Monfils
- 8:10 p.m. ET Alexander Zverev vs. Quentin Halys
Auger-Aliassime and Khachanov bring heavyweight baseline hitting to the morning. Fritz, leading the American charge on the men’s side, takes center stage in the early afternoon. Then comes the evening: Monfils, still box office, followed by top seed Zverev under the lights.
The Shape of the 2026 US Open
This edition of the US Open stretches across three weeks, from Sunday, August 23 to Sunday, September 13, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.
The event breaks down like this:
- Qualifying events: August 24–27
- Mixed doubles: August 24–26
- Men’s and women’s singles main draw: August 30–September 13
- Men’s and women’s doubles: September 3–12
- Junior events: September 3–12
- Wheelchair events: September 8–12
Finals weekend is loaded:
- Women’s Doubles Final: Friday, September 11
- Women’s Singles Final & Men’s Doubles Final: Saturday, September 12
- Men’s Singles Final: Sunday, September 13
First played in 1881, the US Open stands as the second-oldest Grand Slam tournament, behind only Wimbledon. The history is heavy, the stakes even heavier.
Who’s in the Field?
This year’s draw is stacked with pedigree: 17 former Grand Slam singles champions are in the field, 10 of them past US Open winners.
On the men’s side, the landscape shifted when Jannik Sinner was ruled out through injury. That absence pushes Alexander Zverev (1), Carlos Alcaraz (2), and Felix Auger-Aliassime (3) into the top three seed positions.
The women’s draw is led by power and precision:
- Aryna Sabalenka (1)
- Elena Rybakina (2)
- Jessica Pegula (3)
The United States sends a deep contingent: 28 players in the main draw, more than any other nation. Alongside Pegula, the home hopes include Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, and the enduring presence of Venus Williams.
The stage is set. The seeds are in place. The big names are on court today.
All that’s left is to decide how — and where — you’re going to watch it unfold.
