Monday morning.. Ready to leave.. This bus takes me to New Brunswick staiton in New Jersey
America runs on Dunkin.. So did I... Doughnuts for breakfast every morning
The NJ transit train took me from New Brunswick station to NY Penn station
Train no. 2... from NY Penn Station to Mets Willet Point station... You step out of the station and directly on to the US Open grounds.. On the way back home, its train, train and cab.. Total daily round trip transport cost ~$50
Here I am... Almost surreal..
This grounds pass enables me access to all the courts except the Arthur Ashe stadium
Head straight to the Louis Armstrong stadium where former world no. 1 Dinara Safina is warming up for her match against Daniela Hantuchova... Any apprehensions I had about being not too close to the action are immediately out the window
Hantuchova is also warming up on Armstrong - her long legs are as smooth as her groundstrokes
Ready for some live action.. Its 11 am... Nikolay Davydenko kicks off proceedings on the Armstrong stadium
His opponent is American journeyman Micheal Russel
The Russian is broken early on in the first set
Russel consolidates his break to go up 4-2 in the first set
Davydenko breaks back on his way to winning the first set 6-4... Time to hop courts
Reach the Grandstand court just in time to see French Open champion Francessa Schiavone wrap up her first round win
Stick around in Grandstand to watch Robin Soderling take on the Austrian qualifier Andrea Haider-Maurer
Soderling warming up
The sun is out and the weather is HOT.. Note to self - DO NOT FORGET SUNBLOCK - it costs $17 onsite
Maurer serving - he wears Adidas Barricade shoes.. just like me :)
Soderling hits a forehand on his way to winning the first set 7-5.. Time to check out what else is happening on the grounds
Almost Famous - Former player and now commentator, Justin Gimelstob.. I saw him everyday on the grounds
Serbia's Ana Ivanovic warming up on court no. 5.. Also seen is her coach Heinz Gunthardt.. Not seen in pic or on tournament site, Steffi Graf, Gunthardt's former pupil
Ana's practice session draws a lot of spectators
On the other side of the same court, Italy's Flavia Pennetta - NO, she is not named after a pasta - YES, she is just as delectable
Is Kournikova back??
Nope... Thats Maria Kirikenko on the practice courts
Spain's Maria Jose Sanchez Martinez on one of the outer courts during her first round match
Spain's Feliciano Lopez during his first round win
Electric blue - Israel's Shahar Peer on an Court no. 4 during her first round win
Ana - Up close and personal after signing some autographs
Time go to cheer Sania on court no. 7.. Seen in the stands, hubby Shoaib Malik.. Overheard in the stands, various comments by the two young Indian ladies about how good he looks
Sania warming up
Her opponent is Portugese scream queen Michelle Larcher De Brito
Me in the stands on court no. 7... If you look real hard, you can see Sania in the background
Sania wins the first set 6-3.. I leave her in the safe hands of Shoaib and venture out
French Open semi-finalist Jurgen Melzer on the adjacent court no. 6
His opponent is the Russian Dmitry Tursunov, the funniest tennis blogger never to win a Slam.. actually the funniest tennis blogger, period!!
Time to go back to Armstrong... Safina and Hantuchova are about to kick off their first round match
Safina, sporting a new dyed look, loses the first set 3-6
Things you dont see on TV... This guy is situated behind the umpire and all he does is hold that thing and move it in the direction of the ball every time it is hit
Hantuchova looks just as pretty from behind
Safina loses the match 3-6, 4-6 in 1 hour 40 minutes.. time to move scout around again
On Grandstand, Soderling is pushed to five sets before he can finally beat Maurer
Back to court no. 4, this is former junior world no. 1, Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania, now aged 20
His opponent is 23 year old American Ryan Sweeting
Berankis wins this match in four sets
Back on court no. 6, Tursunov takes a two sets to one lead over the 13th seeded Melzer
Tursunov scrambling around as Melzer fights back to take the fourth
Melzer completes a five set victory to move into the second round
On court no. 7, India's Somdev Devvarman has already lost the first set by the time I reach
His opponent is Kevin Anderson.. The South African also wins the second set easily.. Time to wander the grounds again
Legendary coach Nick Bolletiari doing an onsite radio interview
It's evening time and Lleyton Hewitt is playing his first round on the Armstrong stadium under the lights
Frenchman Paul Henri Mathieu stands in his way to a potential third round encounter match up against the Fed
Mathieu takes a two sets to love lead and looks to be heading for a victory
Ivanovic starts off her match against the Russian Ekaterina Makarova on the Grandstand court
This is the Russian Makarova - the southpaw has a big powerful game but is making far too many unforced errors today
Ivanovic wins the first set 6-3
Back to Hewitt and Mathieu - from a different view.. turning your neck side to side is not as much of a problem as I imagined it to be
Hop back to Grandstand to see Ana finish off Makarova 6-2 in the second
In Armstrong, French Davis Cup captain Guy Forget is sitting in Mathieu's box
Hewitt battles back to win the third and fourth sets but Mathieu triumphs in five
Day 2 Grounds Pass - I'm thinking of upgrading my ticket for a seat in Ashe
Note to others - You cannot upgrade a grounds pass ticket to an Ashe ticket - You can only upgrade an Ashe seat for a better Ashe seat
Change in camera leads to improvement in picture quality.. Thanks Mr. Plakkot
The first match on Grandstand features two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova
Her opponent is the 39 year old Kimiko Date-Krumm, who is back after 12 years in retirement
Kuzy arguing a call with the chair umpire early in the first set
Kuzy hitting a forehand as she goes up a break in the first set
Kuznetsova wins the first set 6-2
On Court no. 6, Aussie Alicia Molik takes on..
.. former Wimbledon semi-finalist Mirjana Lucic, now a qualifier into the main draw
Lucic wins the first set in a tie breaker
Its Marcos time... Baghdatis takes on Arnaud Clement on Armstrong
Clement wins the first set 6-3
Baghdatis bounces back to win the second & third sets
A view of the scoreboard on Armstrong... under which is one of the few places you can get respite from the sun on this day.. Note to others - if you like wind, then you should be in the highest stands
Doesn't he look rick a rock star??
The man with the shot gun.. Still trying to figure out what purpose he serves
Note to self - Bend knees more when playing
Baghdatis was foot faulted four times.. While he was arguing with the umpire, one fan shouted out loud 'Come on Serena, Serve' (google 'Serena foot fault' for those with a short memory)
The crowd got wildly behind the Cypriot as the match got down to the wire
Baghdatis loses the fifth set 5-7... he's hugely popular with the fans and they're disappointed his good summer ends so early
Spaniard Fernando Verdasco on the Grandstand - one of the most powerful shots I saw all week was him ripping his forehand
He takes on Italy's Fabio Fognini in an entertaining encounter.. This is the view from the galleries.. more on that later
Check out the tattoo on Fognini
SPIDERMAN updating the giant draw on the grounds
Steffi sighting #1 - the roll of champions on site
I participated... Hoping they'll call me back next year
Gael Monfils on the practice courts
Tommy Robredo on court no. 6 during his firt round win
American Robby Ginepri on court no. 4 during his first round loss
His conqueror, the Argetine Eduardo Schwank
Autria's Tamira Pazsek, once a highly rated junior, now struggling in the pros
She beat Lucie Safarova on court no. 10 in three sets.. Safarova is also the girlfriend of Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych
Italian Ice - Today's flavour is Mango.. $5.00
Radek Stapenek on court no. 13.. Even from this close, I couldn't see what Vaidisova and Hingis see/ saw in him
France's Julien Benneteau beat Stepanek on court no. 10 in four sets
Me at the galleries with Grandtsand Court behind... You can stand here and watch the match down.. if you walk ten steps from where I am, you reach the Armstrong stadium and can check out whats happening there
Ten steps later, this is the view into the Armstrong.. American favourite James Blake taking on Belgium's Kristof Vilegin
The Americans really get behind one of their own.. The crowds are loudest and the stands most packed when an American favourite is playing
Me with the Armstrong stadium in the background
On court no. 11, red hot Aregntine David Nalbandian is taking on the South African Rik De Voest
The Argetine's backhand is a beauty
His forehand ain't too bad either... Nalbandian has one of the cleanest strokes I've seen
This is Rik De Voest
The big screen and giant scoreboard outside Ashe.. That's Sharapova who is playing on Ashe currently
You can sit on the lawns and watch the big screen too
Better known for her on court fashion rather than her on court game, this is American Bethanie Mattek-Sands on court no. 7.. We like her.. We'll tell you why later
On the adjacent court no. 8, India's Leander Paes plays his first round doubles match with Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy.. His hands are just as quick as they say they are
Unfortunately its not enough.. Paes and Dlouhy lose in three sets to Damn and Polasek
The Court of Champions... Steffi sighting #2
The famous globe - also seen in the Will Smith blockbuster MEN IN BLACK
Who's that girl??
Asia's top-ranked woman player, Akgul Amanmuradova, during her first round win on court no. 14
The start of the Indo-Pak Express run... Bopanna and Qureshi during their first round win on court no. 16.. What I didn't observe but read about later that one of their opponents, Brian Battistone, was playing with a two-handed racket
Verdasco is still where I left him.. battling Fognini on Grandstand
The Italian plays with a lot of flair and was trying to beat Verdasco at a second Slam in a row
Verdasco finally triumphs in five sets and and avenges his Wimbledon loss to Fognini
Walking over to Armstrong as Wimbledon finalist Vera Zvonareva takes on Slovak Zuzana Kucova
Zvonareva on her way to a straights sets win
The view of the globe by night from Armstrong
Over to Granstand, I'm on the front row to watch Germany's Sabine Lisicki take on..
...18 year old American wild card Coco Vandewenghe
This was the first match I watched start to finish
And it wasn't that long.. Lisicki hits a drop shot on her way to winning the first set 6-1
I always wanted to capture a picture of one of the players with their skirt flying up... Bingo!!!!
Coco has potential and she showed few glimpses of it on this day.. but watch out for her in the coming years
Lisicki has recorded the seventh biggest serve in womne's tennis at 124 MPH in the past and frequently clocked 120 MPH on this day
The German rips a backhand on the way to winning the second set 6-0
Lisicki throws her arms in the air after match point
and waves to the fans before throwing some autographed balls into the stands - a standard practice on the three showcourts after each match
Here's another German to watch out for - Andrea Petkovic - currently ranked no. 38 on the world
Thats the 17th seed Nadia Petrova - she treated the fans on Armstrong to the probably one of the worst outfits to step on a tennis court
Petkovic wins the first set and I step out to the grounds... I learn later she won in a third set tiebreaker
On court no. 11, Rik De Voest has battled back to win the fourth set against Nalbandian
Nalbandian is considered a dark horse for the title but on this day he is being given a tougher than expected workout
The stands are packed and people are standing on the adjacent court's seats to catch the action on this one
Nalbandian argues on a close call with the umpire - for those who didn't know, Hawk-Eye is available for challenging calls only on the three main showcourts
This is matchpoint for Nalbandian.. the ball in the picture has been hit by Voest and would fail to get over the net
Nalbandian and the crowd celebrate a hard fought victory
The players are given a standing ovation by the crowd
The water fountains in front of the giant screen outside Ashe
Everybody takes a picture of themselves in front of the fountains.. Mine is taken a few days later
Nadal is playing on Ashe... I watch on the big screen
His opponent is the hard hitting Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili
I always wanted to take a picture of Nadal plucking his shorts.. Bingo!!!!
The world no. 1 is missing in action but not from the Nike stores.. With Nadal leading a set, its lights out for me for Day 2 of the Open
Grounds Pass for Day 3.. Note to others - Ticket cost $50.. If you buy it on that day itself, the cost is $55.. If you buy it online from Ticketmaster like I did, cost is $63
Who's this girl???
We don't know... and we don't care
I head straight to court no. 13 to see Sania's second round match
More on her opponent coming up.. check out the shadow for now
Thats her opponent.. Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova seeded 20 and the highest ranked teenager in the world
Sania in receiving position on the deuce court... This one is specially for u CHD
Sania in receiving position on the ad court.. This one is also specially for u CHD
Seen in stands again.. hubby Shoaib... Things you don't realise on TV - how easy it is for players on the outer courts to talk to their support box in between points
I'm in the first row right behind the service line cheering on for Sania
I message my family to tell them to try and see me on TV if they are showing the match.. My brother says he can't.. His in-laws think they did
Sania goes up 2-0 in the first set but loses it 2-6
I've always wanted to take a picture of a player while they getting a ball out from under their skirt... Bingo!!!! Sania also loses the second set
On to court no. 11 and this is Indian Wells champion Ivan Ljubicic, seeded 15
His opponent is 18 year old American wild card Ryan Harrison
The view from the stands.. see court no. 12 lying adjacent to this court in the top half of the frame
Harrison has a sweet backhand
Ljubicic has a mean serve
Harrison rides the crowd's support to win the first set 6-3
Time to wander about
I make my way to Grandstand.. Michael Llodra is getting medical treatment
The best seats in the house - the shaded side of Grandstand - notice how packed it is
On the opposite side, the sun is out in full force.. Notice that the stands are only half-packed
Llodra's opponent is 7th seeded Tomas Berdych.. The Wimbledon finalist is already a set down when I reach
Llodra is one of the few remaining serve-n-vollyers in the game... Here he is seen chipping a return down the line on his way to the net
Berdych's big shot is unable to serve him well on this day.. He is also broken in the second set by the Frenchman
Llodra volleys his way to a two set to love lead
Things you don't see on TV - this is the enclosure for seating for the disabled.. The Grandstand has four such enclosures on each corner of the court.. At this point, there are 18 people in wheelchairs watching this match
The shadows come across the Grandstand
But there is no where for Berdych to hide
Llodra hits the winning volley to complete a straight sets upset
The two men shake hands
People are always ready to take a picture for you.. I reciprocated as well.. Must've taken pictures for atleast 10 people during my time there
Steffi sighting #3... The Hall of Fame stall on the grounds
Smashzone - smaller courts for kids to start playing on... also attrached lot of adults since this section of the grounds is air-conditioned
So I'm waiting outside the giant screen at Ashe.. looking at all the scores and wondering which match to go to next when out of the blue, this woman comes up to me and says 'I gotta leave... Do you want my ticket for Ashe?' - I say 'YESSSS'.. What's that thing they say about being at the right place at the right time???
The third match of the day on Ashe is between Venus Williams and Rebecca Marino
Watch out for Marino in the coming years.. she's got a HUGE serve
This is seven time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams
Any apprehensions I have about not being able to see the ball or the players clearly from the high stands at Ashe quickly vanish
Check out the suspended camera in the centre of this picture
It follows the players as they come out of the chair after their changeover
This camera is only seen on Ashe
Venus wins the first set against Marino in a hard fought tie-breaker that included an exchange at the net in one of the most exciting points I've seen in person
Venus hits a forehand on the way to breaking in the second
The sights you see once you step out of your seat and into the promenade at Ashe.. this is a view of the outer courts
This is a view of the practice courts
Thats Kim Clijsters on the practice courts
This is Switzerland's Patty Schnyder also on the practice courts... We don't like her.. She beat Steffi in her last US Open in the fourth round in 1998
A view of the fountains.. People sitting on the sides and watching the big screen outside Ashe
Further back of the fountains, people can lie down on the lawns and also watch the big screen.. Other things people do on the lawns as I discovered are eat, chit-chat, sleep, have serious conversations and indulge in some amount of PDA
The globe as seen from the Ashe promenade
A view of court no. 11 and 12 from the Ashe promenade
Thats the giant draw board.. In the background is the Louis Armstrong stadium
Back inside Ashe
Venus wins the second set 6-3 and the match
Me with the Arthur Ashe court in the background
On the way down Ashe, you can see the ESPN commentary booth really up close... Thats Pam Shriver in red.. I just finished reading her book 'Passing Shots'.. nice read
That is Patrick McEnroe.. I bought his new book HARDCOURT CONFIDENTIAL.. not the most gripping tennis I've read.. At one point, his more famous brother John walked through the stands on Grandstand to get into the commentary booth on Grandstand and was giving high-fives to the crowds in the stands as he passed them
I walk across to Armstrong... this is 18 year old American Melanie Oudin who made a suprising run to the quarterfinals last year
Her opponent is the 29th seed from Ukraine, Alona Bondarenko
Bondarenko has one of the cleanest groundstrokes in the women's game today.. Unfortunately, technique only gets you only so far which is why you probably have not heard of her before
The crowd really got behind Oudin as she lost the first set 2-6
She also has a sister - Katryna - They have won a doubles Slam together
I walk up the stands at Armstrong and into the galleries over Grandstand.. This is Frenchman Gael Monfils, seeded 17, against Russian Igor Andreev
I've heard of Monfils' athleticism.. Now I've seen it.. He is what they call in India 'paisa-vasool'
While unsuccesfully attempting to retrieve a drop shot by Andreev, Monfils runs over the net into the Russians side of the court
A few points later, Monfils attempts a drop shot himself
Swinging his way to a two sets to love lead over Andreev
I can hear the loud screams from Artmstrong.. I walk across and Oudin has a break in the second set and the crowd is going wild
Unfortunately she is unable to hold on and Bondarenko wins the second set 7-5 and the match
Checking back on Grandstand... Andreev is locked out and loses in straight sets
Look at the bald guy below the USTA sign in this picture.. Thats Andre Agassi, husband of Steffi.. He was doing a book-signing of his autobiography OPEN.. I bought another copy, stood in line for 30 minutes, got it signed by him, shook his hand but didn't ask about Steffi... The security ensured that no one got a picture with him or anywhere close to him
Passing by the giant screen, John Isner is playing his first round match on Armstron.. I'm feeling hungry...
Not anymore... Double scoop at Ben & Jerrys $7.00.. Converted into rupees ~Rs. 329.. Time to finish it.. Less than 329 seconds
On court no. 10, the glamorous duo of Wozniacki and Hantuchova ensure the stands are full
On court no. 7, Belgium's Xavier Malisse is down two sets to love against Israel's Dudi Sela
Malisse is a former Wimbledon semi-finalist and a former boyfriend of Jennifer Capriati
Sela completes a straight sets victory
On the adjacent court no. 6, Britain's top player Elena Baltacha is drenched in sweat as she loses in straight sets in this second round match
Her conqueror is the Wimbledon semi-finalist Ptera Kvitova
Head back to Armstrong.. Portugese Frederico Gil has the unenviable task of taking on the man who serves from the trees...
John Isner... Seeded 18 and measured at 6ft 9 inches and one of America's bright hopes this fortnnight
Quick Gun Murugun... MIND IT!!
This is what he does when the ball is not in play
Isner serves his way to a straight sets win and moves into the second round
As I end my day at the Open, Janko Tipsaveric and Andy Roddick begin their second round match on Ashe
He's not crying.. He's just wiping off his sweat
When I reached home, I'd learn that Roddick lost in four sets
Day 4 grounds pass - ticket prices for the first Thursday are officially $58
Start the day at Grandstand.. France's Aravane Rezai, pictured here, is seeded 18
Her opponent is the 18 year old American Beattrice Capra, who won a play off for Americans to get into the main draw
For someone who whacks the crap off her groundstrokes, Rezai has a rather weak serve.. usually clocking only 85 MPH on her first serve
Capra wins the first set 7-5 much to the delight of the almost packed Grandstand crowd
Over on Armstrong, this is Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas
His second round opponent is the red-hot and 30 pounds lighter Mardy Fish, of America.. Fish wins the first two sets easily
I'm back on the galleries and Rezai has levelled their match at one-set all
Down a break in the third, Rezai is disgusted and throws her racket to the ground
An old woman standing next to me in the galleries was telling me that she is cheering for Rezai because she likes her go-for-broke tennis
Rezai is beaten in the third... the locals have a new star to cheer.. Beatrice Capra is this year's breakthrough star of the women's draw
Thats Brad Gilbert in the commentary booth at Grandstand
One of the many US Open stores on the grounds
Back to Grandstand, the much anticipated showdown between Nikolay Davydenko and Richard Gasquet
Gasquet wins the first set easily
Davydenko also goes down a break in the second
Gasquet wins the second set
The Grandstand is filled to capacity.. At this point, people are allowed in only when somene leaves.. which happens at every changeover.. Also, note the galleries is also packed
Back to Armstrong for another anticipated battle between second seeded Jelena Jankovic and Mirjana Lucic
Check out the pink shorts under Jelena's purple dress
Jankovic wins the first set 6-4
One of the best views... right up and centre at Armstrong.. it gets really windy here.. Lucic wins the second set 6-3
When Jelena is court, always expect some drama
Me with Jelena and Mirjana and Armstrong in the background
The shadows are getting longer
Jankovic has too much match toughness and consistency and wins the deciding set 6-2
Back to Grandstand and Taylor Dent is already two sets to love down against Sodelring
Soderling wraps up a straight sets win
Thats his coach Magnus Norman.. former world no. 1.. former French Open finalist.. former boyfriend of Martina Hingis.. He was visibly limping while walking
This is Roger Federer's father.. I didn't recognise him at first glance.. but when some ladies came up and started talking to him about Roger, I gave him a second look and clicked this
Thats Maria Sharapova on the practice courts
Also seen on the practice courts are legends Martina Navratilova and Jimmy Connors
Does it look like this woman was recently diagnosed with breast cancer??
The legends take a break from the practicing
Sharapova runs over to say hi to Martina and ask her for a favour
Maria's second round match later that night was against a left hander so she asked Martina is she could hit some serves for practice... Martina readily obliged
Connors chatting with Sharapova's hitting partner and coach Michael Joyce, a former ATP pro himself
Rafa Nadael on the practice courts.. I'll have to wait to go back to a Slam to watch a match of his live
Sharapova walking off the practice courts
Lines to get into one of the outside courts
One of the 33 water fountains on the grounds.. A bottle of Evian costs $3.75.. Fountain Pepsi costs $4.00
American verison of Nimbu Paani comes with the seeds inside
Care for a Mojito??
Or some beer??
Perhaps some vodka??
Several local bands play live music on the grounds usually towards late afternoon and the evening
American Express has quite a few of these stalls across the grounds.. They answer any quesiton you have.. Also, if you have an Amex card, they give you a radio which has live US open commentary from across all courts.. And if you spend $150 with you Amex card on the grounds, you get a $50 gift voucher that can be used at Ralph Lauren
One of my favourite pit stops
One of the busier US Open stores on the grounds
The Panasonic 3D stall - you can see your swing in 3D
I try it myself - then capture someone else in the act
Thats the screen in which you can see yourself
Thats Serena Williams doing an onsite interview with ESPN
Time for dinner.. Pepperoni pizza... $9.00
Checkin in on Armstrong... James Blake vs. Peter Polansky of Canada
Blake wins the second set after losing the first
On Grandstand... its Bethannie Mattek-Sands.. donning a new avatar.. We like her.. We'll tell you why later
Her opponent is the German Andrea Petkovic.. its one set all
I'm watching this from the galleries, which has by now become one of my favourite viewing spots
Back to Blake, he wins the third set
Isn't the sky pretty??
Its night now... Blake is on his way to victory.. the stands are packed.. the fans are cheering loudly
Thats the distance you need to walk to get from Armstrong to the galleries overlooking Grandstand
Mattek-Sands changes her top
She is part of the US team that has reached the Fed Cup final this year without the Williams sisters
Check out the multiple shadows under the lights
Petkovic in receiving position
This one goes down to the wire
Petkovic wins the decider 7-5.. If you don't like her yet, check out this Youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d49ENiFVl_k
Catch Ferrero completing a win on the giant screen
Sights & sounds of the Open.. The Arthur Ashe commerorative statue
Start of Day 5.. Time to encash my traveller's checks... Pitstop at the Bank of America branch outside NY Penn Station
This is the famous Madison Square Garden.. just outside NY Penn Station
My first self purchased Ashe pass.. Price $75.00
Head over to the practice courts.. This is Svetlana Kuznetsova in blue
Most people were there to watch Federer
Soderling was also practicing on the adjacent court
I decide to come back on hour later when Fed's practice session ends and try to get an autograph
This is the view from where I am seated on Ashe... Russian Elena Dementieva and Slovak Daniela Hantuchova
Hantuchova builds a 5-2 lead in the first set in this thrid round encounter
Demetieva's serve is not the weakness it once used to be
Hantuchova is known on the tour as 'The Legs'
Dementieva storms back to win five games in a row and the set 7-5
Its a windy day in New York... the effects of Hurricane Earl
The big screen inside Ashe.. there are two of them on opposite sides of the court
Dementieva wins the second set 6-2 and books a fourth round berth
The guy in blue is Roger... I try in vain to get his autograph but there are too many people trying and he obliges only a few
Lines to get into Grandstand
This is the hyped match of the day - American teen Harrison taking on the Ukranian Sergiy Stakhovsky
Stakhovsky is ranked no. 36 in the world and uses his strong grundstrokes to come into the net quite often
Remember this face... he is going to be top 20 soon
Harrison is a picture of concentration as he prepares to receive serve
Harrison loses the first set 3-6
but bounces back to win the second set 7-5
The stands are packed to capacity.. Announced on the public system 'Entry and re-entry to Grandstand is not guaranteed at this point'
Harrison is only 18 but can already clock upto 125 MPH on his first serve
Time for lunch... by this point, I had decided to buy one meal at NY Penn Station due to the inflated prices inside the grounds.. This sandwich is from Starbucks and costs $5.75
I decide to head over to Ashe where Kvitova is up 5-2 against...
...two-time defending champion Kim Clijsters
Clijsters breaks back to level the set
Clijsters wins the set 7-5 and I decide to get back to Harrison-Stakhovsky
The Grandstand is still packed to capacity.. So I decide to head up to Armstrong and go the galleries to watch from there
It starts drizzling and Stakhovsky asks the chair umpire to stop play
The chair umpire explains her decision to Harrison
Play starts soon and I find myself a seat in Grandstand
Those guys behind the grills and are seated on the highest row of Armstrong.. but they have turned to watch the match on Grandstand instead
It starts raining lightly again
This is the covered section of the Grandstand where you can find protection from the rain and the sun
Time to walk around the grounds and see whats happening
This is the NIKE store on the grounds
The most popular cap seen on the grounds.. the RF cap
The second most popular hats on the grounds were the New York Yankee ones
Roger branded t-shirts at the NIKE store.. I saw several people wear RF t-shirts and caps every day at the Open
Thats the Rafa branded t-shirt at the NIKE store.. I saw exactly two people wear this in all my time at the Open
This is the Lacoste store
The rains have stopped... the courts are being dried... Sam Querrey is practicing on the outer courts
Lets take a walk through the Food Village... Lots of options... Burgers..
Crepes... the Ham & Cheese one was sumptuous
Barbecue?? The chicken wings here are gooooooooddddddd
Waffles and fries at Carnegie Deli
Chicken Tikka?? Observed that Americans, not Indians, ran this stall
Hot Dogs and Italian sausages
Fish-n-Chips??
Didn't get a chance to try the Mexican food here
The California Rolls here were good... The Spicy Tuna was better
Play gets underway again
Stakhovsky wins this exciting exchange and the fourth set to level the match at 2 sets all
Harrison is officially my new favourite now
He goes up a mini-break in the deciding set tie-break to send the crowd into a tizzy
There's Pam Shriver behind the cameraman.. waiting for the match to finish and interview the winner
The galleries and the last row of Armstrong are packed and all eyes are on Harrison
Stakhovsky saves three matchpoints to level the tie-breaker at 6-6
Two points later, the Ukranian is on the floor.. in celebration.. winning the breaker 8-6
The crowd is disappointed but gives both players a standing ovation
SIghts and sounds of the Open.. one of the popular picture spots
Passing by court no. 13 where 13th seeded David Ferrer is on his way to a straight sets win
I go back to the galleries where French Open champion Schiavone is taking on Alona Bondarenko
Schiavone is fairly popular in New York and it seems like all of NY's Italians are converged on Grandstand
Over on Armstrong, France's Virginnie Razzano, who recently sued the WTA Tour cliaming one their measseurs injured her foot, is taking on...
...the Serb Ana Ivanovic
Ivanovic wins a tight first set 7-5
The guys in white were cheering boisterously for the Serb and after each point she won, they let out war cries of 'Ana, Ana, Ana'
The Ana fist pump
Back to Bondarenko and Schiavone.. the second set is a closely fought affair
Schiavone brings the house down with this tweener http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlaC9lBqfeY
She wins the second set 7-5 and then sticks around to sign some autographs
Across on Armstrong, Ana wins and throws her wrist band to her noisy fans
The only true doubles stars in the game today.. the Bryan brothers
This is me.. That is Bethannie Mattek-Sands... Now you know why we like her
Time for some food.. Hot Dog for $7.00
Time for dessert.. Ben & Jerry's double scoop.. Also for $7.00.. Good way to end the day
Day 6 - Sold out - I bought this ticket fo Ashe for $125 from the official resale market
Jankovic is already a set down by the time I reach against Estonia's Kaia Kanepi
The $125 view
Kanepi wins 6-2, 7-6 in the biggest upset of the tournament so far.. Here seen on the big screen inside Ashe being interviewed by Mary Joe Fernandez
Bhupathi and partner Max Mirnyi on court no. 13.. they lost in the second round to Argentine duo Eduardo Schwank & Horacio Zeballos
Leander Paes having an animated discussion with someone on the grounds
Back to Ashe for Sharapova vs. the new American teen star Beattrice Capra
The first few games are tough and go to deuce.. But Sharapova wins the set 6-0
The grunt is louuuuudddddd
Capra is unable to string together enought points to win a game
Sharapova wins 6-0, 6-0
Its another windy day at the Open.. the flag is waving boisterously
Addicted to Ben & Jerry's.. this shake is called Addicted to Chocolate
Head to Armstrong.. this is the top-seed Caroline Wozniacki.. We like her too
and her yellow shorts
Wozniacki is having an easy time against Chinese Taipei's Yung-Jan Chan
A sneak peak at Gael Monifls taking on Janko Tipsaveric on Grandstand
A plane flies over Grandstand once every 5 minutes on an average
Settle down into Ashe to watch the Fed
This is Mary Joe Fernandez interviewing him before he gets on the court.. this is shown on the giant screen inside Ashe
Federer and his opponent, Paul Henri Mathieu, walk on to the court and wave to the crowd
Missing from the stores.. Adidas
For those not fortunate enough to have seen Fed live yet, I try to capture his full reportoire..
The Federer serve
The Federer drop shot
Did I tell you how huge the Ashe stadium is??
The Federer forehand
The Federer backhand
Federer in receiving position
Fed wins the first set easily
Setting up to unleash another forehand as he wins the second set
Federer getting in position to retrieve
Straight sets win.. the post-victory interview as seen on the big screen
Fed throws some autographed balls into the stands
Until we meet again
Number of times the Sahara India jersey was seen on the stands - 2
The Ralph Lauren store
Over on Armstrong, France's Arnaud Clement is trying to take out another crowd favourite..
...The slimmed down Mardy Fish
Its another packed day at Armstrong... Clement takes the first set
Fish comes back and takes a two sets to one lead
Fans get ready to take Mardy's autograph as he closes in on the victory
Clement has other ideas.. he battles back to take the match into a decider
Fish wins the decider 6-3 to sent the crowd goes wild
The post-match handshake
Fish waves to the crowd and acknowledges their support in his on-court interview
Here he is giving the crowd a hug
The showroom of Mercedes-Benz, sponsor of the ATP Tour
More musical entertainement on the grounds
Me and the fountains
My first night session - third round between Novak Djokovic and James Blake
The crowd is firmly behind Blake
The atmosphere is just as electric as I've heard it is.. A packed Ashe stadium under the lights is a must-experience for any tennis junkie
Who's that guy???
Djokovic starts strong... and takes the first set 6-1
Blake breaks to lead 5-2 in the second set and gets the cowd excited
The match seen on the giant screen inside Ashe
Novak breaks back to send the set into a tie-breaker
Time to change seats for a view from behind the baseline - I discovered that tennis is veiwed best from the 'behind the baseline' angle
A view of the packed stadium
Djokovic serving in the tiebreaker
Blake returning in the tiebreaker
I'm THAT guy!!!
Blake gets ready to challenge a call
The Ball is OUT... Soon so will James be
Blake is unable to stop to Serbian juggernaut in the third set as well
Djokovic is through to round four
A few minutes later, he is being interviewed by Justin Gimelstob for the Tennis Channel
And then acknowledges the hoard of screaming fans... Me included
Saturday night dinner.. Boiled pasta with red sauce and cheese for $9.00... Add $2.00 if you want meatballs
The second match of the night session gets underway.. featuring Kuznetsova
And the pretty Russian Kirilenko
Sunday evening I decide to buy a ticket for Day 8.. I can buy a ticket for $100.00 from the resale market but don't have access to a printer to print it and everything (AND I MEAN EVERYTHING) is closed for the Labour Day weekend.. I can buy a ticket from the resale market which I can pick up onsite for $160.00.. I decide to buy a better seat from the official site for $175.00
Nicholas Mahut doing some promo work for the Hall of Fame
Gimelstob with supermodel Tyra Banks doing some promo work for Tennis Channel
THE Jon Wertheim... Our paths crossed during the Sharapova Caroline match
First pit stop.. Armstrong stadium... an all French clash between Gael Monfils...
..and Richard Gasquet
The stadium is packed for the Monfils Gasquet clash
Gasquet serving
Monfils wins the first set 6-4
And the second set 7-5
Over to Ashe where Kuznetsova is taking on Dominika Cibulkova
The dimunitive but pretty Dominika Cibulkova has taken the first set from Kuznetsova 7-5 on Ashe
Kuznetsova continues to struggle and the seocnd set goes into a tie-breaker
Cibulkova completes a 7-5, 7-6 victory
The big match of Day 8 - Novak Djokovic and local favourite Mardy Fish
Fish has the whole stadium behind him
And at 28, he is playing the best tennis of this life
Strawberry Smoothie $5.50
Lunch for the day - Tune Sandwich - $7.75
Things you don't see on TV... these guys (5 in yellow + 2 in red) come out on every chanegover on Ashe and keep a watch on the crowd to ensure security of players
The camera suspended inside Ashe - the camera was missing on Days 5 and 6 due to the windy conditions
Fish serving to Djokovic
Djokovic celebrates after his straight sets win
The two men, good friends off the court, shake hands at the net
The coveted suites inside Ashe
The last match of the day session on Ashe features Maria Sharapova
Her serve has not been the same since her shoulder injury last year
Wozniacki can hit with a lot more power than I thought she could
The US Open ball boys uniform
The US Open ball girls uniform
Sharapova loses the first set 3-6
This dress was one of the hot-sellers in the NIKE store
Wozniacki had an answer for everything Sharapova threw her way
Check out her grey shorts
This, along with the Harrison-Stakhovsky duel, was the best tennis I saw all week
Sharapova gave it her all... but could not break through Wozniacki's defense
Wozniacki looks to her box after completing a hrad-fought 6-3, 6-4 win
The two women shake hands
Wozniacki is far more popular in NY than you might imagine
Her post-match interview as seen on the big screen
There are approximately 50 such people on the grounds.. ready to help you with just about anything u need assistance with
Time to leave the grounds and bid goodbye to the Open
People queing in to get into the night session
Those were the best days of my life... I'll be backkkk soon
