2012 U.S. Open Preview (Day One)
On Day One of the 2012 U.S. Open, Arthur Ashe Stadium will be filled with champions to open the final Grand Slam of 2012. Defending women’s singles winner Samantha Stosur kicks off the 2012 U.S. Open at 11:00 a.m. against Petra Martic. She is followed by reigning Olympic Gold Medalist Andy Murray, who will be seeking a rare Olympic-U.S. Open double as he faces Alex Bogomolov Jr., with 2006 U.S. Open champion Maria Sharapova rounding out the Day Session with a match against Melinda Czink.
Following the U.S. Open’s Annual Opening Night extravaganza, the Night Session opens with three-time champion Kim Clijsters looking to extend her 21-match US Open winning streak against 16-year-old American Victoria Duval, the youngest player in the singles main draws at the 2012 U.S. Open. Five-time winner Roger Federer, seeded number one for an Open Era-best sixth time, brings down the curtain on the day against American Donald Young, who made a surprise run to the fourth round here a year ago.
The 2012 U.S. Open will kick off with a dramatic Opening Night Ceremony that includes an immersive video and
light show. The show and ensuing ceremony will take place prior to Monday’s Night Session in Arthur Ashe
Stadium and will feature a special performance by pop star Jordin Sparks. Sparks will perform “Celebrate,” the hit song from the movie “Sparkle,” in which Sparks stars alongside the late Whitney Houston, in Houston’s final performance. Houston opened Arthur Ashe Stadium 15 years ago with a performance of “One Moment in Time.” A video and light show will follow Sparks’ performance, and then Sparks will return to sing the national anthem. Sparks is herself a U.S. Open veteran, having first performed at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day in 2009.
Also, for the 11th consecutive year, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will “Welcome the World to New York” and to the U.S. Open. Following Sparks’ performance, USTA President Jon Vegosen will be joined on-court by young people from the NJTL network, who represent the future of tennis, the “sport of opportunity.” The ceremony will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
Americans in action on Day One of the 2012 U.S. Open
â–ºJames Blake, Tampa, Fla.
â–ºMallory Burdette, Jackson, Ga.
â–ºMardy Fish, Los Angeles
â–ºJulia Cohen, Philadelphia
â–ºRobby Ginepri, Kennesaw, Ga.
â–ºSamantha Crawford, Tamarac, Fla.
â–ºDenis Kudla, Arlington, Va.
â–ºVictoria Duval, Bradenton, Fla.
â–ºBobby Reynolds, Marietta, Ga.
â–ºNicole Gibbs, Manhattan Beach, Calif.
â–ºMichael Russell, Houston
â–ºJamie Hampton, Auburn, Ala.
â–ºTim Smyczek, Hales Corner, Wis.
â–ºVarvara Lepchenko, Allentown, Pa.
â–ºJack Sock, Lincoln, Neb.
â–ºMelanie Oudin, Marietta, Ga.
â–ºDonald Young, Atlanta
Spectator seating increases at the 2012 U.S. Open
Bleacher seating around the outer field courts has been increased in 2012, and all courts now will seat at least
340 spectators. The new seating also provides additional media seating and locations for tournament photographers. The seating per court is now:
â–ºArthur Ashe Stadium: 23,771
â–ºLouis Armstrong Stadium: 10,103
â–ºGrandstand: 6,106
â–ºCourt No. 17: 2,800
â–ºCourt No. 5: 336
â–ºCourt No. 9: 336
â–ºCourt No. 12: 336
â–ºCourt No. 14: 336
â–ºCourt No. 15: 336
â–ºCourt No. 16: 336
â–ºCourt No. 4:1,484
â–ºCourt No. 6: 624
â–ºCourt No. 7: 1,463
â–ºCourt No. 8: 624
â–ºCourt No. 10: 620
â–ºCourt No. 11: 1,552
â–ºCourt No. 13: 584
