Beschwerden » Verdasco, No. 6 Kei Nishikori vs. Ben

CHICAGO -- It was a step back in time for Chicago Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist.Before a recent game, he hopped on his bike in his uniform, with his glove in hand and wearing black P.F. Flyers, and rode to Wrigley Field.I just wanted to get that feeling, he said. Its that feeling of youre riding to the sandlot like a kid. This place makes you feel like a kid.Zobrists ride a few weeks ago became an internet sensation after his singer-songwriter wife, Julianna, posted video and a picture of him on a bike ready to leave on her Instagram account . It also fit the life-is-fun theme preached by manager Joe Maddon that has included onesie-wearing plane rides and zoo animal visits for a team that has rolled into the postseason.Living near the workplace is one of the unique attractions of playing in a vibrant neighborhood like Wrigleyville. For the players and staff who take advantage, it means almost nonexistent commutes, more time with family and a chance to mingle with the surroundings in a way that might not be possible in other cities. For residents, well, you might have a Cub living next door.In a sense, it puts a different spin on the term friendly confines. Zobrist, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta all live in the neighborhood. So does president of baseball operations Theo Epstein. And general manager Jed Hoyer is just a few minutes drive away, in Lincoln Park.I think guys love that, Hoyer said. I think the neighborhood feel is great. The families like it. They can walk with their kids to the ballpark. The lifestyle stuff definitely sells a little bit.For Zobrist, it was a big selling point when he signed with the Cubs in the offseason. The native of central Illinois and his family live about a mile from Wrigley in a home with a miniature basketball court and play area outside for their three young children.Zobrist often takes his bike to the ballpark, though that ride in uniform was a first. But the biggest benefit is the extra time at home. When he played in other cities he had to leave around 2 p.m. for a night game. Now? Sometimes as late as 4.Its just a special thing, Zobrist said. Theyre never going to make another venue like this in professional sports where its basically in a neighborhood. And because of that, it has such a unique feel. I mean, its honestly baseball heaven on earth.For Lester, calling the neighborhood home was not the plan.He lived near Fenway Park for a few years when he played for the Red Sox before buying a house about a half hour away in Newton. When he signed with the Cubs before the 2015 season, he was seeking some separation from home and work so he looked in the suburbs.But he balked at the idea of sitting in traffic and eventually found a house about a mile from Wrigley. Sometimes his wife will walk to the ballpark, though he drives.I love being closer, Lester said. Its nice, especially when you get in from late road trips and youre two minutes from home.Hendricks and his fiancee enjoy hitting the shops and restaurants along the Southport corridor a few blocks from the ballpark. This time last year, he could walk the streets without any recognition. But thats starting to change thanks to a breakout season in which he -- like Lester -- is in the running for the NL Cy Young Award.Most of the time, its middle-aged people coming up wanting to shake your hand, maybe take a picture, said Hendricks, who lived downtown when he came up to the Cubs in 2014. Shake your hand and really just talk to you for a second -- how well the seasons going, how much theyre enjoying all this time. Thats something that you notice is a little different than other places you go, where you find many more autograph seekers.The neighborhood around Wrigley Field has experienced its share of ups and downs ever since Charles Weeghmans Chicago Whales of the Federal League moved to the ballpark in 1914. It became known as Wrigleyville in the 1980s when real estate agents renamed the area to capitalize on the Cubs popularity, and it is undergoing another transformation thanks to a multiyear renovation to the ballpark and its surroundings by the Ricketts family.Video boards, new bleacher sections and a state-of-the-art home clubhouse have already been added. An office building is being constructed outside the ballpark and a hotel is going up across the street.For all the bars and restaurants and construction and game-day crowds, there still are plenty of quiet tree-lined streets nearby for a small-town feel in a bustling metropolis.Its something longtime Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster noticed when he joined the team in 2004 and moved into the neighborhood. He could walk home after a game, see people playing cornhole in their yard and stop to have a beer with them.Theres something really special about being a Chicago Cub and to be in the neighborhood and see the passion behind all the people, from bar owners to a coffee shop to whatever it is -- they really support their team and love their team, said Dempster, who works in the front office. And theres a mutual feeling. I felt the same way about the people in the neighborhood, the businesses. The environment was great. 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Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. NEW YORK -- A look at Mondays play, the opening day of the $46.3 million U.S. Open tennis championships:WEATHER: Sunny, dry and hot. High of 95.ATTENDANCE: Day: 37,260.MENS SEEDED WINNERS: No. 4 Rafael Nadal, No. 7 Marin Cilic, No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, No. 10 Gael Monfils, No. 18 Pablo Cuevas, No. 20 John Isner, No. 23 Kevin Anderson, No. 31 Albert Ramos-Vinolas and No. 32 Benoit Paire.MENS SEEDED LOSERS: No. 13 Richard Gasquet and No. 28 Martin Klizan.WOMENS SEEDED WINNERS: No. 2 Angelique Kerber, No. 3 Garbine Muguruza, No. 7 Roberta Vinci, No. 9 Svetlana Kuznetsova, No. 12 Dominika Cibulkova, No. 14 Petra Kvitova and No. 24 Belinda Bencic.WOMENS SEEDED LOSERS: No. 27 Sara Errani, No. 28 CoCo Vandeweghe, No. 30 Misaki Doi and No. 32 Monica Puig.TOP PLAYERS ON COURT TUESDAY: Men: No. 2 Andy Murray vs. Lukas Rosol, No. 3 Stan Wawrinka vs. Fernando Verdasco, No. 6 Kei Nishikori vs. Benjamin Becker. Women: No. 1 Serena Williams vs. Ekaterina Makarova, No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Jessica Peguula, No.dddddddddddd 5 Simona Halep vs. Kirsten Flipkens, No. 6 Venus Williams vs. Kateryna Kozlova.STAT OF THE DAY: 142 -- The speed in miles per hour of American teenager Frances Tiafoes fastest serve, 3 mph more than big-serving American John Isners fastest during their first-round match, won by Isner in five sets.QUOTE OF THE DAY: Its not my fault she lost in the last round of qualies. -- Polona Hercog, responding to Donna Vekic, who sarcastically tweeted classy after Hercog retired from her first-round match against No. 2 Angelique Kerber early in the second set. Vekic wouldve replaced Hercog in the draw if Hercog withdrew before the match.TUESDAY ON TV (All Times EDT): 1-11 p.m., ESPN.ON THIS DATE (Aug. 30, 1988): 17-year-old Pete Sampras loses to Jaime Yzaga in five sets and 18-year-old Jim Courier defeats Horst Skoff in three sets in their U.S. Open debuts. ' ' '