OPEN SEASON: Best in Tennis Hunt for Titles
By Andrea de Vera
OnlineTickets.com
As summer nears an end, the best in tennis get fired up for the year’s final Grand Slam tournament – the U.S. Open.
It’s a time of blistering serves and blazing returns, untouchable aces and unbelievable comebacks. When underdogs rise and even the highest-ranked athletes sometimes fall, it’s that time of year again, folks. Welcome to the U.S. Open.
From Aug. 27 to Sep. 9, tennis is king in Queens as tennis fans rush to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, NY, host of the 2007 U.S. Open. Inside Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, the world’s best tennis players lace up and battle it out on the hard courts.
As the final event of the Grand Slam tournaments, the U.S. Open is one of the biggest, most prestigious tennis competitions of the year boasting five major championships up for grabs – men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Originally a men’s singles and doubles tournament in 1881, the U.S. Open – formerly the U.S. Championships – provided entertainment exclusive to high society. Today, the U.S. Open’s appeal and popularity has grown, while annual prize winnings have increased as well. This year, winners could divvy up over $22 million in prize money.
During the 2006 U.S. Open, Roger Federer (Switzerland) claimed his third straight U.S. Open title after defeating Andy Roddick (USA) 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. Maria Sharapova (Russia) topped No.2-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne (Belgium) in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, and claimed the women’s singles crown.
Other 2006 U.S. Open winners included men’s doubles victors Marin Damm and Leander Paes, women’s doubles winner Nathalie Dechy and Vera Zvonareva, and mixed doubles champs Martina Navratilova and Bob Bryan.
This year, if No.1-ranked Federer claims a U.S. Open title, he would be the first man in the modern era to win four straight titles. However, winning won’t be easy since Federer may collide with the likes of Andy Roddick, Tommy Haas, or James Blake before reaching the finals.
Meanwhile, No.2-ranked Sharapova hopes to repeat her 2006 success despite having to compete against a tough and talented lot in women’s singles play. Each of the last six years boasts a different U.S. Open winner, and this year may follow that trend with stars-on-the-rise Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic vying for the title.
While there are favorites to win it all in 2007, big names and higher seedings don’t guarantee victories. Until the final round, titles are still up for grabs, while it is talent, strength, speed, and savvy that will ultimately prevail.
For the slickest Grand Slam courts and the biggest Grand Slam thrills, reserve 2007 U.S Open Tennis Championship tickets from OnlineTickets.com today, and be there for every twist, turn, slice, and smash along the road to the championship.
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