Before closing the book on the final Grand Slam of the 2008 tennis season, join On the Baseline for a fascinating look at the stats and numbers from the 2008 US Open.

A record attendance of over 720,000 fans attended the tournament in Flushing Meadows, New York.

10 - Set points saved by Serena Williams in her quarterfinal match against her sister Venus.

23 - Sessions sold out at this year’s US Open.

222 million - Pages viewed by fans at www.usopen.org

4 - Titles captured by American players at their home Grand Slam.

477 - Instant replay challenges made during the two weeks in Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums.

155 - Calls that were overturned after player challenges.

720,000 - Over 720,000 fans attended this year’s Championships.

33 - Aces hit by eventual champion Serena Williams, the most of any player in the women’s draw.

14 - Double faults posted by former world number one Amelie Mauresmo in her fourth round loss to Flavia Pennetta.

128 mph - The fastest serve of the women’s tournament which was hit by Anna-Lena Groenefeld.

1974 - The last year prior to 2008 that the women’s final was not staged on a Saturday.

170 - Winners hit by Serena Williams in her seven matches.

0 - Sets dropped by Serena Williams along the way to her third US Open title.

38 - Countries represented in the women’s main draw.

Serena Williams captured her ninth career Grand Slam title on Sunday at the 2008 US Open.

Williams defeated No. 2 Jelena Jankovic in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 in the women’s singles final.

The final, which was delayed an extra day because of Tropical Storm Hanna, was one of the best US Open championship matches in recent years. Although Serena won her third US Open title in straight sets, Jelena Jankovic played spectacular tennis and forced Serena to come from behind in both sets.

“I was proud to be in the final, but I’m obviously disappointed that I lost,” said Jankovic during the trophy presentation. “Serena was the better player tonight.”

By virtue of winning the US Open, Williams also regained the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour number one singles ranking, overtaking outgoing number one Ana Ivanovic and Jankovic.

“I am so excited. I wasn’t even going for No. 1,” said an overjoyed Williams after the championship. “It’s just like an added bonus.”

Williams become the second straight winner (Henin in 2007) to claim the title without dropping a set. She also achieved this feat at the 2002 US Open.

Serena was awarded a winner’s purse of $1.5 million dollars. She has now overtaken Martina Navratilova for the No. 3 spot on the WTA Tour’s all-time prize money list.

Schedule for Day 14: Sunday, 7 September 2008

Arthur Ashe Stadium 1.00 PM
1. Women’s Doubles - Finals
Cara Black (ZIM)[1] v. Lisa Raymond (USA)[10]
Liezel Huber (USA)[1] Samantha Stosur (AUS)[10]
Not Before 4:00 PM
2. Men’s Singles - Semis
Andy Murray (GBR)[6] v. Rafael Nadal (ESP)[1]
To Finish 6-2 7-6(5) 2-3

Arthur Ashe Stadium 9.00 PM
1. Women’s Singles - Finals
Serena Williams (USA)[4] v. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[2]

Court 7 12.00 PM
1. Girls’ Singles - Finals
Coco Vandeweghe (USA) v. Gabriela Paz Franco (VEN)
Court 11 12.00 PM
1. Boys’ Singles - Finals
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)[3] v. Devin Britton (USA)
2. Men’s Singles Champions
Pat Cash (AUS) v. Mats Wilander (SWE)

An real-time copy of the main draw is available at the US Open website.

For more information about the US Open, please visit www.usopen.com.

Inclement weather has forced the USTA to postpone the match between Jelena Jankovic and Serena Williams overnight.

The women’s championship match is now scheduled to take place at 9:00 pm ET on Sunday, September 7.

Please check back at On the Baseline for more updates to the schedule as the weekend progresses.

US Open 2008

Schedule for Day 13: Saturday, 6 September 2008

Junior singles semifinals are planned to be played off-site.

Arthur Ashe Stadium 11.00 AM
1. Men’s Singles - Semis
Novak Djokovic (SRB)[3] v. Roger Federer (SUI)[2]
Not Before 12:00 PM, -THIS MATCH MAY BE MOVED TO LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM.
2. Men’s Singles - Semis
Rafael Nadal (ESP)[1] v. Andy Murray (GBR)[6]

Arthur Ashe Stadium 7.00 PM
1. Women’s Singles - Finals
Serena Williams (USA)[4] v. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[2]
2. Men’s Singles Champions
Pat Cash (AUS) v. Mats Wilander (SWE)

An real-time copy of the main draw is available at the US Open website.

For more information about the US Open, please visit www.usopen.com.

The USTA has released contingency plans for the final weekend because of the pending threat of Tropical Storm Hanna.

The Grand Slam will attempt to complete the women’s final on Saturday, but has already made plans for a Sunday afternoon/evening match if needed.

The current weather forecast for the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center calls for rain to begin late Friday, which will subside in the early morning until late afternoon. Rain is then expected throughout Saturday night. Due to this forecast, the USTA is advising the following:

SATURDAY — REVISED START TIME OF 11:00 AM ET FOR MEN’S SINGLES SEMIFINALS

Historically, match play for the first Men’s Semifinal begins at 12:00 Noon in Arthur Ashe Stadium. However, due to impending inclement weather on Saturday, Sept. 6, the Men’s Singles Semifinals will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m., weather permitting.

SCENARIO I:

IF SATURDAY DAY AND NIGHT SESSIONS ARE BOTH RAINED OUT

In the event that the USTA is forced to cancel the Men’s Singles Semifinals (Session #24) and the Women’s Singles Final (Session #25) due to inclement weather on Saturday, Sept. 6, each session would be rescheduled for Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., respectively.

As a result, the Men’s Singles Final (Session #26) would be rescheduled for Monday at 5:00 p.m. Tickets for each of these sessions would be valid for the same session at its rescheduled date and time.

Specifically,

* Men’s Singles Semifinals tickets will be valid for the Men’s Singles Semifinals at its rescheduled date and time of Sunday at 1:00pm;
* Women’s Singles Final tickets will be valid for the Women’s Singles Final at its rescheduled date and time of Sunday at 9:00pm;
* Men’s Singles Final tickets will be valid for the Men’s Singles Final at its rescheduled date and time of Monday at 5:00pm.

The following schedule will apply if both Saturday sessions are rained out:

Men’s Singles Semifinals (Session #24) - Sunday, Sept. 7th
1:00pm ET - ESPN2
4:00pm ET - CBS Sports*

Women’s Singles Final (Session #25) - Sunday, Sept. 7th
9:00pm ET - CBS Sports

Men’s Singles Final - (Session #26) - Monday, Sept. 8th
5:00pm ET - CBS Sports

* CBS live coverage to begin at conclusion of 1:00pm NFL coverage.

SCENARIO II:

IF SATURDAY DAY SESSION COMPLETED AND SATURDAY NIGHT SESSION RAINED OUT

In the event that the USTA is forced to cancel the Saturday Night Women’s Singles Final (Session #25) due to inclement weather, both the Women’s and Men’s Singles Finals would be played on Sunday as two separate sessions — one at 4:00 p.m. and one at 9:00 p.m. Tickets for the Women’s Singles Final would be valid for its rescheduled time; and tickets for the Men’s Singles Final would be valid for its rescheduled time.

The decision regarding which Final will be played at 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. will be decided upon based on the time of completion of the Saturday Men’s Semifinals. If the Men’s Semifinals are not completed on Saturday, Scenario I will take effect.

Singles Final - (Men’s or Women’s Final TBD) - Sunday, Sept. 7th
4:00pm ET - CBS Sports*

Singles Final - (Men’s or Women’s Final TBD) - Sunday, Sept. 7th
9:00pm ET - CBS Sports

* CBS live coverage to begin at conclusion of 1:00pm NFL coverage.

For more information about the contest and its prizes or to leave your pick, please go here.

Eight-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams is scheduled to compete on Saturday for the 2008 US Open women’s singles title.

Second seed and former world number one Jelena Jankovic will face Williams in the championship match.

Serena Williams, the fourth seed, advanced to the final round without dropping a set.

Serena’s quarterfinal match against her sister Venus was one of her best performances of the year, and her intensity continued on Friday against sixth seed Dinara Safina in the semifinals.

Safina raced to an early lead in the match before Williams stormed back to win in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.

Jelena Jankovic triumphed in an emotional victory over fifth seed Elena Dementieva earlier in the day on Friday. The former No. 1 was in tears after her 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Beijing Olympic gold medalist.

The Serbian had lost in her four previous Grand Slam semifinal appearances.

“I’m healthy and I really want to do well,” said Jankovic after her match. “I’m really focused, I really believe in myself, and I’m really going one match at a time.”

“I’m really trying my best out there, and so I’m motivated. So I’m happy to be in the final for the first time.”

Jankovic knows that her match tomorrow against Williams will not be easy, but she is ready for the challenge.

“It will be a tough match,” said Jankovic when asked about facing Serena. “She’s a powerful player. She loves to play here at the Open, but so do I. I love being here. I love the atmosphere.”

The atmosphere is something that Serena Williams thrives on at the US Open, and it helped lead her to two titles in 1999 and 2002.

“It is so awesome,” said Williams after her victory. “I’m just happy to be finally back in the finals.”

The winner of the championship match will not only claim the US Open title, but also the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour number one singles ranking.

Aaress’ Prediction: Serena Williams in three sets

The 2008 US Open women’s semifinals will take center stage on Friday in Flushing Meadows.

Jelena Jankovic, Serena Williams, Elena Dementieva, and Dinara Safina will vie for two coveted berths in Saturday’s championship match.

Aaress’ Picks for Friday

Elena Dementieva (RUS)[5] v. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[2]
It’s down to the final four at the US Open and not only is a major title on the line, but also the No. 1 ranking. One of the quartet could walk away with the trophy, while another could potentially steal away the top spot. Or, one superheroine can walk away with the package deal.

Both of the semifinals will be hard-fought, but this one is the toughest to call. Elena Dementieva has had a marvelous summer, but so has Jankovic.

This one will come down to who can deal with the pressure the best. Jankovic needs to reach a Grand Slam final to receive a validation stamp on her 2008 season, while Dementieva knows that the clock is ticking on her chances of winning her first Grand Slam. At nearly twenty-seven, Dementieva is well aware that time could quickly run out.
Elena Dementieva in three sets

Dinara Safina (RUS)[6] v. Serena Williams (USA)[4]
While I was watching Serena vs. Venus on Wednesday, the thought crossed my mind of how good it is to see Serena wholly committed to the sport. Memories of last year’s Australian Open started to return, and although Serena has had less drama this year in Flushing Meadows, we clearly know that her trip to NYC will be a failure in her own mind if she does not leave with the trophy under her arm.

Dinara Safina is a tricky customer, especially as she has been blessed (or cursed) with the Safin unpredictability. Serena holds a 3-1 lead over Dinara in their previous meetings, and that one loss came on clay, which is arguably Serena’s worst surface. These two have only met at the US Open once in 2002, where Serena cruised with a 6-0, 6-1 victory. It will not be near as easy for Serena on Friday in the semifinals, especially if Safina brings her best game to the world’s biggest stage.
Serena Williams in three sets

Please go here to view the complete schedule of play for Friday.

She Said What?

Venus Williams about her future singles and doubles plans with Serena:
“For the record, I’m aiming for the 2016 Olympics. We’ll be playing doubles. I’ll be here for a long time still grinding and earning titles and making life hard for anyone and everyone.

What Else is Happening in Flushing Meadows?

Inclement Weather Advisory
Tropical Storm Hanna might affect the women’s final on Saturday.

Paes and Black win U.S. Open mixed doubles title
India’s Leander Paes and Zimbabwe’s Cara Black won the mixed doubles title on Thursday.

USA Television Schedule for Friday

All times are Eastern.

Men’s Doubles Final/Women’s SF - CBS - 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Don’t forget to enter On the Baseline’s Pick the Winner’s contest! The entry deadline for Friday’s featured match is 10:00 am ET.

Schedule for Day 12: Friday, 5 September 2008

ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM MATCHES ONLY

Arthur Ashe Stadium 12.00 PM
1. Men’s Doubles - Finals
Lukas Dlouhy (CZE)[7] v. Bob Bryan (USA)[2]
Leander Paes (IND)[7] Mike Bryan (USA)[2]
Not Before 1:30 PM
2. Women’s Singles - Semis
Elena Dementieva (RUS)[5] v. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[2]
Not Before 3:30 PM
3. Women’s Singles - Semis
Dinara Safina (RUS)[6] v. Serena Williams (USA)[4]

An real-time copy of the main draw is available at the US Open website.

For more information about the US Open, please visit www.usopen.com.