U.S. Open a big part of Big Apple this time of year

A-Rod, the $252 million ballplayer, tormented, taunted, more likely is looking forward to the end of the season, especially after Tuesday night's failings against Boston, when he went 0-for-5, hitting into two double plays, struck out twice and made an error. "CLUTCH?" thundered the Daily News. "CALL HIM A-BYSMAL."

Another headline, the one on the back page, labeled him "BOO ROD." In the Newsday he was "A-FLOP." Alex had company. Pitcher Andy Pettitte gave "A Pett-iful Showing."

Alex also had a comeback. Wednesday night he had a couple of doubles against the Red Sox, although before a sellout crowd the Yankees lost big again and watched their hopes for the postseason dwindle even more.

You can't avoid baseball in New York as August meets September. Shea Stadium, about to be decommissioned after 44 years, and Citi Field, adjacent, almost finished, are just across the subway tracks from the tennis center.

This week the Mets are away -- seemingly repeating last year's collapse down the stretch -- and the Yankees are home. Next week it's the reverse.

You can't avoid tennis, either. Those word-twist headlines aren't reserved only for the Yanks or Mets. Or Giants or Jets. The New York Post summed up No. 1 seed Ana Ivanovic's sloppy win over Vera Dushevina this way: "RAGGEDY ANA."

It wouldn't be "Raggedy Andy," however. He was sharp. And strong. He had a 147 mph serve for an ace in the second game of the first set.

And like Yankee Stadium, Wednesday night Arthur Ashe Stadium was a sellout, 27,763. But unlike Yankee Stadium the crowd left satisfied, Roddick's victory coming immediately after that of another American and another ex-champ, Lindsay Davenport.

"The biggest thing about New York is playing night sessions," said Roddick, who turns 26 on Saturday. "It's a different animal than any other tournament. I'd like to think I'm ready for it."

Roddick skipped the Olympics because of a bad shoulder. Instead, he split with his coach, brother John, and hooked up with another, Patrick McEnroe, who has a brother, John.

"I feel OK," Andy said, about to walk on court. "Better than I have all summer. I'm ready, absolutely. I'm going to try to do my job tonight."

The job was completed, quickly, efficiently. Roddick used his most effective weapon, the serve, keeping Santoro from ever getting settled. Santoro, known as The Magician for his guile and finesse, had no magic and basically no chance from the time his serve was broken in the first game.

"I am so excited to be here," Santoro had said. This was his 17th U.S. Open, more than anyone else in the draw. He was part of the scene that sweeps over New York at the close of August, but then Santoro was gone. As summer soon will be.