\n<\/p>\n
It was 14:50 local time when Sinner finally served to get the match under way but there were still plenty of empty seats – especially in the upper tier – as spectators continued to try to make their way through security.<\/p>\n
Every spectator has to go through an airport-style scanner outside of Ashe, meaning they have to empty pockets into a tray, go through a full-body scanner and be searched if the detector beeps.<\/p>\n
At the change of ends after the third game of the opening set, an influx of people entered the stadium to take their seats but many were still left queueing outside.<\/p>\n
Martina Navratilova, who won four of her 18 Grand Slam titles at the US Open, expressed sympathy for those stranded outside.<\/p>\n
“Let’s spare a thought for the thousands of people waiting outside in the drizzle – it’s been raining on and off – and they’ve paid thousands of dollars for these tickets,” Navratilova said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
“It’s not that he’s coming that’s the problem, it’s that they only made one entrance for the whole crowd.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n