Being there: An Ending sprouts an ascendancy?

I wanted to be there but this morning when I walked up to the box office I never intended to buy an Ashe ticket but the attendant told me it was just a dollar more than I grounds pass, I went for it. It turned out to be one of the best dollars I have ever spent. Laura Robson def. Kim Clijsters 7-6 7-6 in the second round to end Kim's career at her best event. Here are my videos from up in the clouds of Ashe. Not a bad first match there which seems to be its own ecosystem separate from the rest of the hustle and bustle of the grounds. Apologies for the shaky video from the clouds.

Kim serving to stay in the match the first time.

Kim serving to take it to the second set tiebreaker.

Second set tiebreaker

Match Point 

Olympians do baseball

They have all arrived back home and the popular activity this week seems to be throwing out first pitches at baseball games.

2012 @usolympic gold medalist @conorjdwyer chats with Gene Honda before tonight's first pitch. @usaswimming twitpic.com/anp940
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 25, 2012

.@southpaw takes a bite out of @usolympic @cullen_jones' gold medal today @usaswimmingtwitpic.com/anlp2w
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 25, 2012

Not the best form and not too much zip but it was a strike! Thank you @cubs for a dream come true! twitter.com/RowdyGaines/st…
— Rowdy Gaines (@RowdyGaines) August 24, 2012

Even a former Olympian got in on the action.

'@jasonlezak threw out a first pitch and @boyziimen tenor @shawnstockman sang the Anthem -- perfect pitches for both: twitter.com/Dodgers/status…
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 23, 2012

Tonight @jordyn_wieber showed off her nerves of steel with a great first pitch for the #Tigers. ow.ly/i/S6rs
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) August 22, 2012

Jordyn Wieber stopped by Comerica Park tonight. She threw one pitch for the Tigers - the first one. #Olympics twitter.com/freepsports/st…
— Freep Sports (@freepsports) August 22, 2012

Gold medalist @gabrielledoug and an award-winning mascot in the same picture? Why not: twitter.com/MLB/status/238…

— MLB (@MLB) August 23, 2012

It was great to hang out with one of my favorite Olympian... Aly😊 twitter.com/davidortiz/sta…
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) August 26, 2012

Video of Aly talking during the game. 



Swimmer Breeja Larson throws first pitch at Diamondbacks game


Olympic gold medalists Carli Lloyd, Heather Mitts, Susan Francia and Jordan Burroughs throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

USO 12: Practice Videos

I was on the US Open grounds on Wednesday and Thursday checking out some practices here are the short little videos. Sorry for the quality but this is the best my camera can do. 

Serena practicing on Wednesday. 

Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka practicing on Grandstand Wednesday. 

Laura Robson practicing on Thursday. 

Kim Clijsters practicing on Grandstand Thursday.

Vika Azerenka on Armstrong Thursday.

Maria Sharapova does overheads on Armstrong Thursday. She was practicing with Dani Hantuchova

Sugarpova High

My US Open festivities began Monday with a trip to Henri Bendel's for some Sugarpova. The store was packed and the entire front of the store was all the different types of candies.

Justin Gimblestob was there as the host. 

I love the window and her dress was lovely.

More pictures under the cut.