for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 • The CourieR SUN 59 sports US Open gets underway in grand style at National Tennis Center BY THE QUEENS COURIER STAFF editorial@queenscourier.com @QueensCourier The eyes of the tennis world are again on Queens for the next two weeks as the best players in the world seek the coveted U.S. Open championships at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Festivities leading up to the tournament’s start on Aug. 31 began last week with two fun-filled days of activities. Queens Day on Aug. 26 offered guests a range of events and programs centered around the “World’s Borough,” while Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Aug. 29 featured music, entertainment, tennis exhibitions and other activities geared at the younger generation of tennis fans. The real business of the tournament got underway on Aug. 31 with the start of the two-week U.S. Open tournament, headlined by a grand opening ceremony in the evening on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Billie Jean King herself helped welcome guests, while Josh Groban and Vanessa Williams performed for the crowd. Though Day One of this year’s open featured a few surprising upsets, including the ouster of Ken Nishikori, last year’s open runner-up, the men’s and women’s top seeds — Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams — were both victorious in their first-round matches. When eyes weren’t on the action, fans across Arthur Ashe Stadium did their share of people watching, and they weren’t disappointed in finding a number of celebrities in attendance such as Alec Baldwin, Katie Couric and Ben Stiller. Photos courtesy of Dominick Totino Photography Top-seeded Novak Djokovic’s bid for another U.S. Open title got off to a good start on Aug. 31 with a first-round victory. A focused Ben Stiller at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Rafael Nadal was victorious in his firstround match on Aug. 31. A girl takes a swing on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. CMA Sports Cards & Memorabilia Opens in Howard Beach CMA Sports Cards & Memorabilia has opened up shop in Howard Beach with a grand opening on September 1st. The sports cards and memorabilia company specializes in cards, autographs, licensed products and much more! They are involved in all phases of the sports memorabilia business including buying, selling & trading with their customers, both new and old. CMA Sports Cards & Memorabilia is located at 158-36 Cross Bay Blvd.. For further information Hoping to one day compete on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court, these call 718-659-0028 kids take part in an exercise on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. Seeking a Grand Slam sweep, Serena Williams secured a first round U.S. Open victory on Aug. 31. These stilt walkers raised the net on Arthur Ashe Kids Day.
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