The best of the 2013 US Open - in pictures

Fireworks explode over the Arthur Ashe Stadium during the opening ceremony Photograph: Alex Trautwig/Getty Images

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia serves during her women's singles first round match against Anna Tatishvili of Georgia Photograph: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

The shadows of Serena Williams (left) and Venus Williams show them conversing during their match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Lucie Safarova in the women's doubles Photograph: Tim Clayton/Corbis

Venus Williams of the US serves during the women's doubles third round match Photograph: Al Bello/Getty Images

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia takes a tumble in round two against Juan Martin del Potro Photograph: Darron Cummings/AP

Tennis fans watch play under darkening skies Photograph: Darron Cummings/AP

A ball runner places balls for service on the racket of Michal Przysiezny of Poland Photograph: David Goldman/AP

Bernard Tomic of Australia in action against Albert Ramos of Spain
Photograph: Tim Clayton/Corbis

Great Britain's Heather Watson in action during her first round match Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Britain's Andy Murray in action during his third round match Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning the second set against Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany during their fourth round men's singles match Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Court attendants ride dryers across the court at Arthur Ashe stadium during a rain delay in the fourth round Photograph: Mike Groll/AP

Carlos Berlocq of Argentina returns a shot through his legs during his men's singles second round match against Roger Federer of Switzerland Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus signs autographs for fans Photograph: David Goldman/AP

John Isner of the U.S. cools off during a changeover against Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany Photograph: Kena Betancur/Reuters

A bellboy finds a novel way to negotiate the flooding underneath the grandstand stadium after a sudden downpour of torrential rain
Photograph: Tim Clayton/Corbis

A praying mantis sits at court level at Arthur Ashe Stadium Photograph: David Goldman/AP

Venus Williams sports a floral number Photograph: PCN/Corbis

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand during his men's singles fourth round match against Marcel Granollers of Spain Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Richard Gasquet of France serves to his compatriot David Ferrer Photograph: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Mikhail Youzhnyof Russia during their men's singles quarter-final match
Photograph: Tim Clayton/Corbis

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot to Tommy Robredo of Spain during their fourth round match. Photograph: Darron Cummings/AP

Yui Kamiji of Japan stretches to play a forehand in front of her partner Sabine Ellerbrock of Germany during their wheelchair women's doubles final match against Jiske Griffioen and Aniek Van Koot of the Netherlands Photograph: Dan Istitene/Getty Images

The Manhattan skyline is seen from the courts at Flushing Meadows Photograph: David Goldman/AP

Flavia Pennetta of Italy serves against Victoria Azarenka during the semi-finals Photograph: Darron Cummings/AP

Victoria Azarenka shows her frustration after missing a shot against Flavia Pennetta of Italy Photograph: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

Serena Williams returns a shot during her women's singles semi-final match against Li Na Photograph: Chris Trotman/Getty Images for the USTA

Defending champion Andy Murray reacts with rage in a break between sets during his defeat to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in the quarter-finals Photograph: David Goldman/AP

Rafael Nadal's taped fingers are seen during his men's singles semi-final match against Richard Gasquet of France Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Serbian Novak Djokovic consoles Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka after an epic men's semi-final match which Djokovic won in five sets. Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

Serena Williams jumps for joy after winning the women's singles final against Victoria Azarenka Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

People watch the men's final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

Nadal cradles the championship trophy after defeating Djokovic in four sets. Photograph: Darron Cummings/AP