Some highlights from the first three days of the US Open.

USA TODAY Sports, Susan Mullane

Zheng Jie of China in her match against 

Venus Williams

The Open begins Monday us with a shock for late arriving tennis fans.

There's a two hour wait to get in to the facility: the holdup is unheralded and due to enhanced security checks at the gates!

James Blake announces his retirement at the end of the tourney. He has entered 13 US Opens and was on tour for 14 years.

Farewell to James of Fairfield, CT and Harvard stock: he exited in the first round in a thrilling five setter against Ivo Karlovic of Croatia going the distance valiantly. The match ended in a tiebreaker--3 in all. Final score: 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6

Serena Williams is the favorite on the women's draw. Can Victoria Azarenka or Li Na beat her?

American women advance into the second round: Sloan Stephens, Venus and Serena Williams, Jamie Hampton and Christine Mchale are all into the second round.

Stephens advanced to the third round in a match that finished up at about 1AM Thursday morning;  she plays fellow American Jamie Hampton. Wow- should be some match.

The Chinese ladies are a pleasure to behold especially Li Na, Zheng Jie and Shuai Peng.  Zheng took out Venus Williams in an epic second round 3 set match that started around 1 P.M. and finally ended at 8P.M. due to rain delays (6-3, 2-6, 7-6).

This Sino-Surge is nothing less than amazing considering that 10 years ago tennis was virtually unknown in the country and interest has SURGED there since Lin Na won the French Open in 2011 against Francesa Schiavone becoming the first Chinese player ever to win a major.   (For her character and daily physical fitness regimen See the New York Times article on Li Na, China's Tennis Rebel.)

Rain delay Wednesday PM is putting the damper on everybody.

John Mcenroe HEARKEN:   your vehement protests and wishes are coming true: The USTA has just  announced plans to build a retractable roof at Arthur Ashe stadium.