US Open 2007

We stayed at the Radio City Apartments thanks to a tip from our good friend and former dog/house sitter, Cory. We were very lucky to get a room/apartment since it was Fashion Week and the US Open (tennis not golf) was going on... Thanks, Cory! The location was great. The beds weren't anything to write home about - hard as boards - but, by the time we went to sleep each night, it really didn't matter.

We spent all day Wednesday at the US Open. We had tickets for the day session - Section 305, Row L. We got to see the following matches (winner in bold):

Women's singles quarter finals
Anna Chakvetadze vs Shahar Peer (6-4, 6-1)
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Agnes Szavay (6-1, 6-4)
Men's singles quarter finals
Nikolay Davydenko vs Tommy Hass (6-3, 6-3, 6-4)

We stayed on the grounds to watch the night matches on the big screen but missed most of the Venus Williams vs Jelena Jankovic (4-6, 6-1, 7-6[4]) women's singles quarter finals match due to technical difficulties. We did see the beginning of the Roger Federer vs Andy Roddick (7-6[5], 7-6[4], 6-2) men's singles quarter finals match on the big screen. It was pretty late by the time the match started and since it was a week night, people started to leave before the match was over. It's illegal to buy/sell tickets on the grounds at the US Open but it's not illegal to give someone tickets. So, the first person I asked gave me two tickets. Two box seat tickets! Luckily, we had already discussed the possibility of only getting two tickets with Matt & J-J. We all agreed that whoever got tickets would use them. So, after some persuasion Jeremy and I were off to our seats - Box 197, Row D. Sweet!

The seats were in line with the net. It was great. Luckily, Matt & J-J got two tickets not long after us and they also got to enjoy the rest of the match in Arthur Ashe Stadium. They didn't get box seats but I don't think J-J cared as long as she got to see Federer!

We had tickets for the day session again on Thursday - Section 308, Row K. We got to see the following matches:

Women's doubles semi-finals
Yung-Jan Chan / Chia-Jung Chuang vs Agnes Szavay / Vladimira Uhlirova (6-2, 7-6[5])
Men's singles quarter finals
David Ferrer vs Juan Ignacio Chela (6-2, 6-3, 7-5)
Mixed doubles finals
Victoria Azarenka / Max Mirnyi vs Meghann Shaughnessy / Leander Paes (6-4, 7-6[6])

Thursday night, we headed back to Manhattan to meet up with Cory for dinner at Ray's Pizza, just a half block from our hotel. The pizza was great and it is always great to see Cory.

Jeremy headed back to Houston Friday morning so he could have rehearsal for his upcoming show, Lucky Stiff. I decided to stay with Matt & J-J until Saturday night. Friday, we went our separate ways and I headed to the International Center of Photography museum and then to Central Park where I wandered around for hours. We met up in time to head to Shea Stadium for the Mets vs Astros game - Gate B, Mezzanine Level, Section 10, Row M, Seat 13. I talked Jeremy into going to Yankee Stadium to see the Yankees vs the Mets last time we went to New York so I thought it was only fair that I go to Shea Stadium this time. Just so happens, they were playing the 'Stros.

Yes, I even wore my Astros jersey to the game. Those Mets fans don't scare me! Of course, the Astros lost so I was pretty safe from getting beaten up.

Saturday, we went our separate ways briefly. J-J called to say that on their way to the subway they noticed that Broadway was closed and it was lined with street vendors selling their wares. So, I met up with them to do some haggling. I hate to shop but I love to haggle. I got some ties for Jeremy and some belts for me. I also bought a couple of purses and wallets and some wine bottle covers for gifts. It was fun trying to fit everything into my small suitcase for the flight back. Be sure to compliment my Dolce & Gabbana purse the next time you see me!

I almost forgot to mention all the star gazing at the US Open. We met Nick Bollettieri (Agassi's first coach - super nice man) and Mary Joe Fernandez. Nick Bollettieri gave us all a business card and autographed it for us so go check out his site. Mary Joe was autographing head shots. Supposedly they are worth $100 on e-bay. I got a pretty good picture of Patrick McEnroe and Nick Bollettieri talking. We got our picture taken with Nick Bollettieri but I'll have to get a copy from Jennifer (aka J-J). A kind stranger took a picture (of our feet) with my camera! I got a really good picture of Mary Joe - she looks just like she does in her head shot. We saw Jerry Seinfeld entering Arthur Ashe Stadium. We saw Gene Wilder, Tim Robbins, Stone Phillips, Josh Groban, and I forget who else in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Andre Agassi was there but we only saw him on the screen - he was in the press box. Some day I will meet him. Remind me to tell you about the woman with Stone Phillips. I can't believe she is his wife but I'm pretty sure he is married. Let me tell you, she was something else. But that's a story for another day.

Pictures have been uploaded on our Flickr page so check them out. I'll add more when I swap pictures with Jennifer.

Next trip, I fly to KC then drive to Springfield/Nixa/Ozark, MO for my cousin's (Angela's) wedding. Lots of family pictures to follow.

Cheers!

~Tracy