Marin Cilic was the defending champion in the men's singles event, but lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.
Serena Williams was the three-time defending champion in the women's singles event and was also trying to complete the calendar Grand Slam, but she lost to Roberta Vinci in the semifinals.
Flavia Pennetta won the Women's Singles title and became the first Italian to win the US Open.
The tournament consists of both men's and women's singles and doubles draws as well as a mixed doubles event. There are singles and doubles events for both boys and girls (players under 18), which is part of the Grade A category of tournaments, and singles, doubles and quad events for men's and women's wheelchair tennis players as part of the NEC tour under the Grand Slam category.
The tournament is played on hard courts and takes place over a series of 17 courts with DecoTurf surface, including the three main show courts - Arthur Ashe Stadium (with permanent steel erected and new video boards, LED court lighting and sound system in place, as part of a refurbishment project), Louis Armstrong Stadium and Grandstand. It is the last ever US Open played on courts without the operational roof on center court and with the old Grandstand in place. Starting from the 2016 edition, the Arthur Ashe Stadium will have completed retractable roof and matches will be played on newly built Grandstand.