2012 Citi Open: Day One And USTA Member Appreciation Day

by Carole Zidouemba · August 1, 2012

[James Blake] [Kevin Anderson, Frank Moser] Go HERE for more photos of the tournament!

Monday was the first day of the 2012 Citi Open, the annual tennis tournament that happens in Washington. It is part of the ATP World Tour 500 of the 2012 ATP World Tour and also the WTA International tournaments of the 2012 WTA Tour. In its 44th edition, and previously known as the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, this is the first time that the tournament is combining the men and women's events.

Like every year, star players and tennis lovers came to the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park to participate in the tournament. This year, as it falls as the the same time as the Olympics, not as many players are present. But, we still have key players such as James Blake, Sloane Stephens, Pablo Andujar, Melanie Oudin, and Michelle Larcher de Brito.

What made this first day special was that it was USTA ( United States Tennis Association) Member Appreciation Day: those with an USTA membership received a "buy one get on free deal."

Livingsocial also hosted a special event during the tournament: the Chef challenge featuring Bryan Voltaggio of Bravo's Top Chef fame and Victor Albisu, former BLT Steak executive chef. It was a culinary competition with various ingredients. Both chefs created creative dishes and it was a tight race. But, only one chef could be the winner, and at the Citi Open, it was Victor Albisu.

Monday's matches were the first round and the tournament continues until Sunday, August 5th.

Tennis players spotted: James Blake, Melanie Oudin, Pablo Andujar, Sloane Stephens, Xavier Malisse, Barbara Zahlavora Strycova, Edina Gallovits-Hall, Karolina Pliskova, Olga Govortsova, Vera Dushevina, Michelle Larcher de Brito, Melinda Czink, Anna Chakvetadze, Alexandr Dolgopolov Jr., Vera Dushevina, Eleni Daniilidou, and Sesil Karatantcheva.