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It was an ominous beginning for the season’s final grand slam. Aftershocks from the 5.8 earthquake that hit the east coast last week rattled some U.S. Open tennis players prepping for the big tourney. It also prompted NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg to quip "Who knew we lived near a fault? Luckily it wasn't a double fault." .
When Hurricane Irene bore down on the Northeast on Sunday, Mother Nature looked to be as much a contender as the seeded players. Tournament officials took the unprecedented step of canceling Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Saturday and closing the Billie Jean King Tennis Center on Sunday, preventing the customary pre-event practice sessions and interviews.
Neither an earthquake nor Irene can keep tennis fans from flocking to New York's National Tennis Center however. The U.S. Open is always one of the best attended sports events attracting celebrities, fashionistas and an assortment of rich and famous. Designers and models (who follow up the U.S. Open with New York's Fashion Week) will be among those at center court for adrenaline-pumping action.
Legendary crooner Tony Bennett, fresh off his tribute to Amy Winehouse at the VMA's, was on hand for the opening ceremony. Alec Baldwin and Vogue editor Anna Wintour were also spotted.
Many players heading to New York from other tournaments had to adjust their travel and practice plans. Despite the hectic prelude, the first volleys took place according to schedule on Monday in Flushing Meadows.
Early Upsets
Both the Wimbledon champion and and the French Open winner have flamed out in early rounds of the U.S. Open. No. 5 seed Petra Kvitova, who won Wimbledon just last month, was upset yesterday while French Open winner Li Na is also heading home early after being defeated by unseeded Romanian teenager Simona Halep 6-2 7-5.
Two-time reigning US Open champion Kim Clijsters, who is ranked No.3, will miss the tournament with a stomach muscle injury. With Clijsters’ withdrawal and Kvitova and Li’s first-round exits, there will be no reigning Grand Slam champions in the second round of the Women’s Singles draw.
Moving On
2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic took to the court two days after the death of her grandfather and though she appeared emotional, she managed to survive the first round.
No. 7 Francesca Schiavone of Italy, No. 10 Andrea Petkovic of Germany, No. 20 Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium, No. 23 Shahar Peer of Israel and No. 26 Flavia Pennetta of Italy all advanced to the second round. Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, the 15th seed and the 2004 U.S. Open champion, is also moving on.
Women To Watch
Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki in action during her first round match. (Credit Image: © Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/ZUMAPRESS.com)
Caroline Wozniacki - the 2009 US Open runner-up (above - check out those guns), is the No.1 seed in the women's singles field this year. Wozniacki, who has yet to win a grand slam despite nearly a year with the top ranking, has been dealing with inconsistent play this summer, losing her first two hard-court matches.
Although she embarks on her fifth U.S. Open campaign and easily won her first round, the 21-year-old Dane has been in the news more of late for her budding romance with golfer Rory McIlroy than her on-court triumphs. Maybe this time will be the charm.
Maria Sharapova - The 2006 champion in New York moves up to third in the seedings. Sharapova just won the Cincinnati title with a hard-fought victory over Jelena Jankovic in the final. Still recovering from shoulder surgery in 2008, her serve remains a work in progress, but she battles with tenacity and can never be ruled out.
Fans have been on wedding watch since Sharapova became engaged to NBA player Sasha Vujacic last October. Off court she's been sporting a huge engagement ring. Watch for her to be as fierce as ever.
Serena Williams - The former No. 1 returns to the scene of three major triumphs and looks to be back in business. With major illness and injuries behind her, she’s the clear favorite despite having played just five tournaments this year. This is her first time back to Flushing Meadows since a lashing out at a linesman led to her default from the 2009 tournament’s semifinals.
Serena cited a big toe injury when pulling out of the Cincinnati hard-court tournament this month (though there was some speculation she wanted to attend friend Kim Kardashian's wedding). Even though she's only seeded 28th, Serena leads active women with 13 Grand Slam
