US Open Betting / Sean Calvert / 04 September 2008 /

The British number one will meet the world number one in a repeat of this year's Wimbledon quarter-final. Hopefully, there will be a different outcome. Sean Calvert reports.

After arriving at the surprisingly efficient Terminal 5 at Heathrow last night, I got home just in time for the latter stages of the afternoon and beginning of the night session of Day 10 at the US Open.

Yet again the day session went long and as I tuned in to the coverage Andy Murray was two sets up on Juan Martin Del Potro, who was looking like a man far from the peak of physical perfection.

The lanky Argentine did manage to pull a set back, despite applying surgical tape at regular intervals to various parts of his anatomy and when Murray threw in two double faults in game one of the fourth set it was all up for grabs, or so it seemed.

There didn't seem much evidence of the supposed bad blood between the two, which was highlighted by Del Potro applauding an excellent Murray winner in game three of the fourth set, although I can't say there was much reciprocation from the Scot.

Murray broke back before Del Potro missed a sitter to regain the break and the Argentine held his head is in hands - rightly so because a great chance to regain the initiative was missed.

Emotions were running high and there was controversy when Del Potro made a challenge after realising his own reply to a length ball from Murray was long, but the umpire allowed it and it set him up with his fourth break point.

Murray clung on again though and he was going 'challenge happy' by this stage, as he had chalked up 12 thus far with only two of those being successful.

The day session ticket holders were desperate for another set and had switched their allegiances to Del Potro in the hope that he could extend their enjoyment by taking them to a fifth and it looked like he would when Murray threw in a shocking game seven to go 4-3 down.

However, thanks to some great scrambling, the Scot broke back again and we were back on serve.

All of a sudden it was Del Potro who began to appear out on his feet and a love game from Murray ended with the Argentine ducking underneath the Murray serve to forfeit the game and go 5-4 down.

The number 17 seed then came roaring back with a love game of his own, but it wasn't to be for Del Potro, who couldn't last physically and Murray broke to win the match 7-5 in the fourth and he goes on to face Rafa Nadal, who came from a set down to take out Mardy Fish later on.

At the end there was nothing but kind words and mutual respect between the pair to confirm that stories a supposed rift are nonsense, although it's hard to imagine Murray being the most popular guy on tour.

There was not time to muse on Murray's social standing in the locker room however as the match of the night - certainly as far as the fans were concerned anyway - was next up and it was time for Venus v Serena.

I was in the company of John McEnroe and Tracy Austin for this one and the pair spoke with their usual authority on the subject of the Williams sisters.

The crowd were right up for this one, as they had been made to wait for some considerable time outside while the Murray match was happening and the tension appeared to have got to the players a bit, as they made a nervy start to the match.

Serena in particular looked edgy and flat footed to begin with and she found herself a break down, which she couldn't claw back, so Venus was the first to set points at 5-3.

The elder sister was unable to take them though and as the standard rose, Serena took the set on a breaker to take control of the match.

Mac had informed me that the winner of the first set of these encounters has gone on to win the match in 15 of their 16 clashes to date and that stat held true as Serena won the second set and the match the same way she had won the first, coming from 5-3 down to take it on the breaker.

It's not the same on TV of course and in case you're thinking of taking a trip out to Flushing Meadows next year, I've compiled a short list of things to know about the US Open.


Good things about the US:

Ease of movement between the courts, particularly Armstrong and Grandstand where seats are easy to come by for big matches if you don't mind the sun.

The stroll to the grounds from Willets Point/Shea Stadium on the boardwalk with the buzz of excitement, smell of fast food and diesel from the trains.

The large seats and great views even on Ashe at the back.

Lots of food stalls, restaurants and bars with plenty of variety

The pricing of the tickets is very reasonable compared to Wimbledon, although not as cheap as the Australian Open.

Bad things:

No shade on Armstrong or Ashe, which can be a nightmare in the 90 degree heat.

Over zealous officials over-officiating in the wrong areas, but letting people walk around in a servers eyeline.

Clueless and somewhat ignorant fans unless Americans or Roger Federer are playing.

The razzmatazz at changeovers and fans moving around between points or whenever they feel like it.

You're not allowed into the night session until the day games on Ashe have finished.

Things you need to know:

Very important - there is a toilet adjacent to Court 12, behind the main food plaza, which no one knows about and is your own personal bathroom. Big queues elsewhere.

Get on Court early - position yourself where you want to be just before 6pm prior to the night session fans entering the grounds.

Second guess the crowd - the US Open crowd always make a beeline for any five setter (or three set ladies match), so if you want a seat get there early.

Bring a hat and some sunscreen or preferably an umbrella to keep the sun off - it's brutal
Have a look round the smaller courts while there's a big match on Ashe or Armstrong. You'll see the players practising. I saw the likes of John McEnroe and Jamie Murray having a hit there.

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