As sure a sign of the onset of autumn as schools reopening and store catalogues advertising ridiculously early Christmas deals, the US Open's media hype machine has been spewing forth half-truths and tiresome exaggerations regarding the host city and its unique place in the tennis universe.

Let's get the disclaimer out of the way up front - I love New York City. I'm from here originally, live in it now and plan on staying here for many years to come. I possess a reflexive pride when speaking of my home turf on most occasions. And I do not believe its title of "world's greatest city" is unbefitting.

But I must defer to the somewhat objective and fiercely analytical columnist within and own up to the fact that when it comes to US Open coverage, there is an enervating parade of statements regarding the singular nature of the event that must be refuted. One must always be on alert for these sacred cow proclamations.

Below are just a few statements that are uttered annually during this time in the tennis calendar:

• Gotham fans are the smartest, wisest tennis fans in the world -- First of all, if they were that much more intelligent than fans from other cities, would they put up with the obnoxious music that plays between points on Arthur Ashe Stadium? I do believe there is a core of intelligent, experienced fans - usually sitting in the worst seats. With baseball fans, I think it is true: New York fans are the smartest. When King - excuse me, Mayor Bloomberg opened the ceremonies on Monday night he was greeted with polite applause. Had it been a typical, standard NYC throng in attendance, one would have heard loud booing cascading from above as all mayors receive boos from a typical NYC crowd, warranted or not. In fairness to fans at the main stadium, it's a wonder they remain in their seats for long at all as it's near impossible to see the happenings on court if one's seat is in the upper tier. It's a disaster of a venue for fans - which is why most spectators know to head to the outside courts where they are rewarded with fantastic, up-close seating. I think many in attendance at Arthur Ashe Stadium are passionate sports fans, just not tennis-specific, as exemplified by the predictability of their always rooting for the underdog. Just watch a Wimbledon telecast - it'd be hard to argue that the London fans don't have a better sense of appreciating the "tennis moment."

• Fans stay till the bitter end -- Again not true. One need only have watched that first evening when the pre-match ceremony lasted so long and Andy Roddick didn't take the court until after 10. I'd say the place was one-third full by the end of the second set. Some diehards stay, of course, but most don't. And who can blame them - many don't have the ability to stay up till well past midnight. especially if they live an hour or two away. But it is true that there is an extra source of energy for the night matches and it is unique to the Open.

• NYC is such a distraction to the players both on and off the court -- On the noise front they have a point, with the traffic difficulties getting to Flushing and the packed grounds. But am I to believe the cosmopolitan centers of Paris and London - haven't been to Melbourne but I hear it's nice - aren't full of distractions and things to do outside of tennis? And aside from that, this is an increasingly homogeneous world we inhabit and unfortunately New York has succumbed to this and is not as mysterious, dangerous or exciting a place as it once was - for better or worse.

• The heat and humidity are incredibly hard to endure -- Well yes and no. The weather can be tricky as it's quite fickle in the northeast this time of years. When it is warm and humid - causing many to utter that incessant mantra, "It's not the heat that's bad, it's the humidity" - it is difficult as the sun pounds down on the hard courts and seemingly forms instant burns and perspiration pools on the spectators. But more often than not, the Open ushers in the fall season and one will use jackets for the first time in months during the fortnight as often as they sweat. But the heat is minor compared to Australia - in fact, it's so hot there the roof is used on the center court when the heat index deems play impossible.

I could list a few more examples but the point is made. At best the US Open is the most balanced event, as the hard court is an equal opportunity surface that has seen both baseliners and serve-and-volleyers claim the title in the Open Era. And when there is a close night match late in the event and the fans are engaged - think Sampras vs. Agassi in the quarterfinals in 2001 - there's no better stage for the sport as it can be truly electric. But a bit of perspective is in dire need when comparing America's major tennis event with the rest of the world. This "image is everything" tone has overtaken the Open in recent years - what would really be worth the hype is a riveting final which New York is overdue for.

TOURNAMENT NOTES:

2nd Round match to look forward to this week on the women's side - young American Melanie Oudin vs. 4th seeded Elena Dementiava ... The scheduling of Rafael Nadal's matches couldn't have been more difficult for the third-seeded Spaniard. He won't take the court for the first time until late Wednesday afternoon - the same time a few men will be starting their second round matches. If he - or any of the other men who start their tourney on Wednesday - were to advance all the way to the final, he'll most likely have to win three matches in four days - and seven matches in 12 were he to take the title - as he's on the Thursday-Saturday-Sunday schedule for the final weekend. If the US Open continues to schedule the first round over three days for the foreseeable future, then they should do as the French did this year at Roland Garros - start play on a Sunday to gain that extra day of rest later in the tournament when it is most needed ... The combined coverage of ESPN and the Tennis Channel (for those lucky enough to have the latter) has been a gift to fans as nearly every match of consequence is shown throughout the day and evening. And Jimmy Connors has been a welcome addition to TC broadcasts, bringing a refreshing perspective to the coverage. Hearing Connors speak is a welcome antidote to the self-promotional and relentlessly self-referencing broadcasting duo of the McEnroe brothers on ESPN.