The U.S. Open opened yesterday in Flushing Meadows, and Maria Sharapova's win over No. 2 seed Simona Halep had the "electricity of a finals match -- a packed house under the open roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium," according to Elizabeth Merrill of ESPNW.com. Sharapova received a wild card and played in her first grand slam since returning from her doping ban. Sharapova "wore a NikeCourt Maria Sharapova x Riccardo Tisci Stadium Dress adorned with small sparkling crystals" for her match. The entire outfit "was black, from her visor right down to her shoes," and in "some ways, it was appropriate." She "came into the U.S. Open viewed by some as sort of a villain." However, she left last night with a "standing ovation and the hope of more late-summer excitement" (ESPNW.com, 8/28). In DC, Ava Wallace noted many in the crowd "stood to applaud" Sharapova as she "walked on court." The fans clapped at the "competitive play in front of them," and for the "sheer drama of Sharapova’s return" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/29). In N.Y., Stefan Bondy notes Sharapova at first "didn’t get much of a reaction from a crowd." But it "seemed to get behind the Russian as she pounced on Halep, needing one hour to win a marathon opening set" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/29). In Toronto, Rosie Dimanno wrote Sharapova "looked the part as she stepped onto centre court, rocking a glittery black jacket over a little lacy black tennis dress, greeted by a modest standing ovation." Organizers had "risked public denunciation for investing Sharapova with a free pass." Dimanno: "But hey, it’s New York. They do Slams differently in the Big Apple, raucously and under the lights" (TORONTO STAR, 8/29). ESPN's Chris Fowler said there was "great buzz building" in front of a "full house." It was a "party atmosphere" with "all the celebrities in house." There was just "so much attention and curiosity and intrigue ... and the level of play hasn't disappointed." ESPN's Chris Evert said fans need to "appreciate" what Sharapova has "done for the game." Evert: "We need her in women's tennis. She's huge marquee value for us" ("U.S. Open," ESPN, 8/28).
RAISE THE ROOF: This marks the second year of the new roof being used at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and USTA President Katrina Adams said the NGB is "just one year away from completing the transformation" of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. She said Louis Armstrong Stadium will be unveiled next year, "also with a roof for uninterrupted play." ESPN's John McEnroe said of the roof, "You don't have to worry about factors like wind (or) the heat now with the roof when you play at night, so I think the energy level, particularly for men, is better." ESPN's Patrick McEnroe added, "I remember when they built this thing, they said, 'No, they're never going to fill this thing. They're just going to fill it for the Finals.' And it's turned out it's just gotten bigger and better every year" ("U.S. Open," ESPN, 8/28).
SAFETY FIRST: On Long Island, Nicole Fuller notes a "phalanx of concrete barriers and new undercarriage bomb detection scanners have been added to the security measures ... in addition to the hundreds of NYPD officers securing the annual event." NYPD Lt. Tarik Sheppard said, "We really look at this as the number one target in the United States." More than 700,000 fans are "expected to flood the event" in '18. The USTA "employs some 300 private security guards for the event" (NEWSDAY, 8/29).
TAKING A BREAK: USTA Managing Dir of Communications Chris Widmaier said that the Trump Organization "suspended its suite agreement at the U.S. Open" while President Trump is in the White House -- but "wants to renew it when he is out of office." He said, "They asked us to suspend the suite agreement for the suite that they traditionally purchase. ... Because they are a long-term subscriber, we were willing to do that and we are doing that." Widmaier said that the particular suite, which is "adjacent to the television broadcasting booth in Arthur Ashe Stadium, would be sold on at most a one-year basis and 'there will be no long-term agreement' with anyone else" (AP, 8/28).
