U.S. Open aces and faults

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 Jankovic.)

ACE. A well-struck lob.

ACE. Long rallies with variety beyond mere groundstrokes.

By the Numbers

1 More time (at least) to see retiring champion Kim Clijsters play at the Open. Though eliminated in singles Wednesday and in women’s doubles yesterday, Clijsters will play a first-round mixed doubles match with American doubles specialist Bob Bryan late today (fourth match on Court 17).

7 Consecutive Grand Slam events won by a different woman going into this year’s Open, going back to the 2011 Australian Open (Clijsters, Li Na, Petra Kvitova, Samantha Stosur, Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams).

17 The now-completed new show court — with the fourth-largest seating capacity of 2,800 — on the tennis center grounds’ southeast edge, with a round configuration and sunken court level that make it one of the best spots to watch a match.

Futhermore...

U.S. Open officials noted one of the green strategies at the tournament is producing the thousands and thousands of lanyards for credentials — worn by players, on-court personnel, officials, security guards and other staffers — from crushed old tennis ball cans.