The new Louis Armstrong Stadium made its long-awaited debut this year at the US Open. The 14,061-seat venue – which is the 13th-largest tennis arena on the planet – became the second covered stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center. The intimate atmosphere played host to some of the best matches of the tournament, as well as a few historical moments:
Simona Halep vs. Kaia Kanepi, First Round, 6-2, 6-4
Armstrong opened with a bang in its inaugural match. World No. 1 Simona Halep took to the stage fresh off a title in Montreal and a final in Cincinnati. The New York crowd loves an underdog and it got one in Kaia Kanepi. The first-ever match played in the stadium had all the electric excitement of a stunner, with Kanepi emerging victorious, 6-2, 6-4. No top-seeded woman had ever lost in the first round at the US Open, a stat that could not keep Halep down.
“Actually I'm happy I was first one there, even if I lost,” Halep said, smiling. “It is a nice stadium, and every court here, it's beautiful. It was all good.”
Kevin Anderson vs. Denis Shapovalov, Third Round 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
History was made in the second set, as fans and players alike witnessed the roof being closed for the first time as rain rolled in. Safely under cover, the crowd was treated to a three hour and 43 minute epic. The slugfest between Kevin Anderson and Denis Shapovalov saw experience win out over youth.
“Very different atmosphere, very different feeling," said Anderson. "I must tell you it was incredibly exciting. Felt like in a coliseum almost...The crowd was really into it, especially as the match went on. It was really exciting playing in those sort of conditions. Definitely a treat being out there today.”
Andy Murray vs. James Duckworth, First Round, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3
Andy Murray’s long road to recovery finally culminated with his first Grand Slam match since Wimbledon 2017. The former world No. 1 was sidelined with a hip injury that required surgery back in January. In a tightly contested affair the Brit, who won his maiden Grand Slam title in Flushing Meadows back in 2012, emerged victorious, and the cozy confines of Armstrong earned the praises of one of the game's greats.
“I think it looks great,” Murray said. “I think it's a bit easier to play on than the old Armstrong...it's shaded from quite early on in the day, which is nice for the players and also, I think, the people watching, as well, for the fans. I like it a lot. I think it's nice, big improvement.”
Dominika Cibulkova vs. Angelique Kerber, Third Round, 3-6, 6-3 6-3
An affair that saw No. 4 seed Kerber pitted against Cibulkova, No. 29, the drama was high. The five-foot-three Slovakian scurried around the court, covering 10,392 feet during the contest. Kerber, the 2016 US Open champion brought fireworks of her own in a close contest that saw the German fall just short with 81 points to Cibulkova’s 89. Launching 40 winners, Cibulkova earned her way into the hearts of the Louis crowd.
“I like to play on big stages,” Cibulkova said. “So yeah, of course, the fans are helping always when you're winning. It gives you special energy...overall, the court was nice and everything went well.”
