Heading into their major home tournament there are a lot of expectations surrounding US tennis.

Serena Williams is in phenomenal form after her comeback from a career-threatening injury while Mardy Fish’s rise to No.7 in the world along with his recent victory over Rafael Nadal will have lifted hopes they could do well in the men’s draw too.
However the lingering question over the future still remains. Serena and her sister Venus have three maybe two more US Opens left at the top of the game and Fish is unlikely to match his declining compatriot Andy Roddick in winning it during his career swan song.

This is therefore the moment for the next generation to make a claim. They’ll be under the microscope more than they have been all season during what they’ll be hoping is a two-week stint in New York.

For the men it’s all on Ryan Harrison, a 19-year-old who’s broken into the top 100 this year and continues to rise to career high levels with every stride he makes.

The stats say an American man last won a Grand Slam in 2003 (Roddick at the US Open) but if it weren’t for the greatest player of all time Roger Federer, there would have been many more triumphs.
Effectively Federer stopped Roddick becoming a legend of the sport which is a fate also inflicted on Lleyton Hewitt whose own nation is stressing over the future as well.

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1. buy a metrocard and take n°7 train to get to the USTA Billie Jean King Center.

2. enter by the South Gate: the morning lines at the East Gate, right off the subway/LIRR, are the longest and slowest. Walk around the crowd and to the South Gate, which is directly in front of the Unisphere.

3. pack a bag: a see through bag is your best bet for fast cleaning security. Don’t forget your sunscreen, your sunglasses and a water bottle. There’s plenty of fountains to fill up your bottle.

4. buy a 3$ drawsheet with the matches schedule.

5. leave the US Open grounds to eat: it’s less crowded and cheaper.

6. scour the practice courts: you may watch your favorite player hit
balls for an hour.

7. watch some juniors matches: those kids are perhaps the next Rafael Nadal or Serena Williams.

8. watch some double matches: the matches are fast paced and you will finally see some serve and volley game!

9. attend a night session: the atmosphere is incredible and even sometimes electric.

10. US Open for free: check out the Qualifying Tournament and the Open Practice Day.

Enjoy your day at the US Open!

Here’s a quick visitor’s guide if you plan to attend this year’s US Open.

Arthur Ashe Kids Day kicks off the 2011 US Open by bringing the sports and entertainment worlds together for a full day tennis and music festival for children and family, including interactive games, musical entertainment and free tennis clinics. The ground open at 9:30 am on Saturday, August 27. Admission is free for the interactive games and clinics with top pros. Special tennis and music shows inside Arthur Ashe Stadium do require tickets.
This year’s lineup will feature defending champions Rafael Nadal and Kim Clijsters, world No.1 ranked Novak Djokovic, 2003 US Open Champion Andy Roddick but also actor Bradley Cooper, basketball player Carmelo Anthony and singer Cody Simpson.

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All US Open 2011 posts are tagged US Open and are listed up below:

2011 US Open visitor guide
10 tips for your day at the US Open
2011 US Open schedule and records
Did you know?

Fashion and gear:
2011 US Open: Polo Ralph Lauren men’s collection
2011 US Open: Polo Ralph Lauren women’s collection
2011 US Open Ralph Lauren Tennis Sneaker
2011 US Open: Caroline Wozniacki adidas outfit
Andy Murray, Fernando Verdasco and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga adidas outfits
2011 US Open: adidas Barricade 6.0 Murray
Maria Kirilenko and Anastastia Pavlyuchenkova adidas shoes
Marcos Baghdatis and Viktor Troicki adidas shoes
Maria Sharapova Nike outfit
Serena Williams Nike outfit
Roger Federer Nike outfit
Victoria Azarenka Nike outfit
Li Na Nike outfit
Rafael Nadal Nike outfit
2011 US Open Bloomingdale’s Collection
Reebok Court Victory Pump – US Open edition
Tomas Berdych Nike shoes
Juan Martin del Potro Nike shoes
Sam Stosur’s Lacoste outfit
Sergio Tacchini kit for Novak Djokovic

A trip down memory lane:
US Open biggest upsets
1971 US Open: Chris Evert becomes the “It Girl”
1981 US Open: Tracy Austin defeats Martina Navratilova
1981 US Open: John McEnroe defeats Bjorn Borg
1991 US Open: Connors, 39 qualifies for the semifinals
1991 US Open: Seles and Capriati introduce power in womens tennis
1991 US Open: Stefan Edberg defeats Jim Courier
2001 US Open: Venus defeats sister Serena
2001 US Open QF: Andre Agassi – Pete Sampras
2001 US Open: Lleyton Hewitt defeats Pete Sampras
2003 US Open: Roddick wins his first (and only) Grand Slam title
2004 US Open: First time to NYC for a French fan of Agassi

Recap and analysis:
US tennis
2011 US Open dailyrecap
Serena Williams and Sam Stosur roads to the 2011 US Open final
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal roads to the 2011 US Open final
First Grand Slam title for Sam Stosur
2011 US Open by the numbers

Polls:
Who will win the 2011 US Open?

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Four adidas players – Maria Kirilenko, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Marcos Baghdatis and Viktor Troicki – have created their own customized miadidas shoes, they will wear during this year’s US Open.

2006 Australian Open runner-up Marcos Baghdatis incorporates the green, copper and white colors of the Cypriot flag into his Barricade design.

Viktor Troicki has emblazoned his nickname, Troya, on his shoes that provide a symbolic color scheme: blue represents hope, while black and white symbolize his journey from darkness to light — and the red, blue and white represent the Serbian flag.