U.S. Open Tennis

ACE. Andy Roddick’s sly reference to Roger Federer as “the world’s most interesting man.”

FAULT. There has been quite a bit of fan grumbling about the tight quarters at the primary practice courts, preventing most spectators from getting a glimpse of the stars’ workouts.

SERVICE WINNER. U.S. Tennis Association officials, as part of a $500-million improvement of the Billie Jean King National...

ACE - Best seat in the house (without sitting): The walkway connecting Armstrong Stadium to the Grandstand, offering an ideal look at the Grandstand action.

FAULT - No sock-making company has solicited Jack Sock for an endorsement deal, he confirmed.

LET - The Open’s junior tournament, which begins today, may or may not allow a look at future champions in the main draw. Only three Open...

ACE. Doubles tennis featuring American twins Bob and Mike Bryan.

FAULT. Open officials’ decision to schedule the Bryans on 2,800-seat Court 17, leaving hundreds of fans shut out, while simultaneous matches in 10,103-seat Louis Armstrong Stadium and the 6,106-seat Grandstand began with roughly half of the seats filled.

ACE. Spectators’ rhythmic clapping in anticipation of a Hawk-Eye replay.

FAULT....

ACE. Civility at tennis matches. Instead of boos from the crowd, a flubbed shot evokes a group “Awwwwww.”

FAULT. The missing star power without Rafael Nadal (knee tendinitis) in the Open field.

ACE. Hustling ball persons.

FAULT. The rare occasion when a player challenges both a linesperson’s call and the subsequent Hawk-Eye replay confirmation of the call. (This means you, Jelena...

ACE: American Sam Querrey, on top-ranked Roger Federer’s unwavering confidence: “I feel at times he can go out there and swing away because he’s, like, ‘Hey, I’ve got 17 Grand Slams, $500 million; who cares if I miss this?’ And, most of the time, it’s going to go in.”

ACE: Serena Williams, reminded that she previously had been quoted that she didn’t like tennis or practice sessions, despite...

ACE - Pre-serving quirks displayed by most of the players. Andy Murray’s is to tap a third service ball back to the ball person between his legs. LET. Rafael Nadal may be home nursing knee tendinitis, but his image and Nadal-branded gear are available as usual at the Open.

FAULT - International events such as the Open reveal ongoing culture confusion. China’s Li Na — Chinese put the surname...

ROGER FEDERER Age 31, Switzerland No. 1 Seed The act you’ve known for all these years. Federer’s Wimbledon title last month gave him 17 major championships, adding to his record career total, and his recent play — his straight-sets loss to Andy Murray for the Olympic gold medal notwithstanding — continues to argue for his great good chances in this, his 54th consecutive Grand Slam event.

NOVAK...

SERENA WILLIAMS Age 30, USA No. 4 Seed This player is Trouble, with a capital T, that rhymes with P, and that stands for Perennial champion. She has won 14 major titles, easily the most among active women, and is closing in on Martina Navratilova and Chris Event (18 apiece); Margaret Court has the career record (24). Now, if Williams can avoid past Open controversies ...

VICTORIA AZARENKA...

Can I still buy a ticket?

Tickets are still available for Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Grandstand and Outer Courts, but some sessions are sold out. Tickets may be purchased online at usopen.org or ticketmaster.com, at the box office at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and at Ticketmaster outlets.

When can I enter the venue?

The grounds for the day...

ACE

Novak Djokovic’s agreement to do a little dance after his rousing semifinal victory over Roger Federer, but only “if everybody dances with me in the stadium.” All obliged.

ACE

Djokovic confirmed that he was talking to himself after Federer broke his serve to go up 5-3 in the fifth set of their semifinal. Then again, “I talk to myself all the time,”...