Open Thread

Michael and I had a really fun day -- and night -- at the U.S. Open yesterday. 

We got lucky when both Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick were scheduled to play during the day session on Ashe stadium -- we normally go at night, so seeing the defending champ and what could potentially be Roddick's last match was exactly what we would have picked if we had been given the choice. Nole had no problem with Julien Benneteau, dismissing him 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. (Loving the new Uniqlo apparel!)

  Roddick keep his tournament alive by beating the handsome Italian Fabio Fognini, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-4, setting up a round of 16 showdown with 2009 champ Juan Martin del Potro (top, flashing some fur). Roddick was awfully adorable in the post-match interview, saying this was "all new" to him when asked how he was handling the final moments of his career, saying no one had offered him any retirement advice. "Anyone here retired and want to chime in?" I'd love to see him go deep.

  Victoria Azarenka was supposed to be on Ashe next, so we decided to run over to see defending champion Samantha Stosur beforehand, who was playing upset queen Laura Robson on Louis Armstrong. While we were there, we caught up with my friend Todd, who was working the event. Both women were playing pretty poorly, but Stosur was able to hold it together a bit better, enough for a 6-4, 6-4 win. As we were watching, Todd realized that the Azarenka match had been inexplicably moved to Armstrong, so instead of having to schlep back to the nosebleeds we ended up staying for that one too, turning the outing into an all-day/night event.

 Michael was impressed by the latest world number 1, but all I could think was that her opponent, Anna Tatishvili, hits the ball unbelievably hard. Anna's serve, however, was a glaring weakness, so the Australian Open champ was able to beat her 6-2, 6-2, in a match that was far closer than the score indicated. Really loved sitting so close to the court in Armstrong, so am curious to see what the planned renovations are going to do to the stadium -- not to mention the dismantling of the Grand Stand. Todd says a new intimate court is planned to replace it/them, but knowing how the USTA works sometimes -- still no roof! -- I have my doubts.

Anyone else out go out to Flushing Meadows? Michael is there tonight without me! His nephew got great seats from a client -- just call me bitter and jealous!!!!