USO Blog: Friday

06 September, 2008 | 00:09

So everyone has now gone to bed before the big day - Super Saturday at the US Open.

A pretty light day on Friday, which is always the case. The guys (Miles, Matty, Jez and AI) strike the right balance of time on court vs. energy conservation.

So - they grabbed a tournament van from 56th and seventh at around 11:30am. The journey out of Manhattan and into Flushing Meadows is a bit of a lottery, but usually takes a little over 30 minutes.

No problems today - they were out on court at around half twelve, once Andy had got a stretch and massage from AI....

Miles working the shirtless look in the heat.

Ladies, form a queue. If only because there isn't a queue currently.

The tourney site has that 'week two' feel - very few players around; just the guys at the sharp end of the tournament and some of their staff.

And their Blackberry's...

All the talk for later on is about the weather, with Tropical Storm Hanna working her way up the coast just in time for Super Saturday.

There's definitely been something in the air for the last few days: very hot, and very humid.

If you're doing anything active, you tend to seek out shade when you can. Andy's no different..

 

There's five practice courts, and just the two players today. No surprises they chose courts well apart from each other. Good to keep a bit of distance all round...

Somewhere beneath the huge Arthur Ashe court lurks Rafa...

Mark Petchey did his Sky interview with Andy after practice. He did away with the traditional shirt and tie...

In fairness, Petch had just been hitting out on court. He is wearing shorts, and not just a towel...

Last activity of the day - a press call.

Plenty of papers back in the UK looking for that picture that tells the story ahead of the match.

Getting a couple of NYPD's finest involved lets you know you're in New York...

Five minutes later he was in tournament transport, and back at the hotel by 3:30pm.

Plenty of time for everyone to relax (or jog around Central Park), before heading out for dinner at 7:30pm.

Healthy food for everyone, and then back to the hotel for some sleep.

Let's just hope the weather allows some tennis.