UPDATE: Top Players Now On Tap As Rain-Delayed US Open Resumes
By BigLeadSports
The USTA said it is monitoring the weather in New York, but expects matches to begin at 11 AM (ET).
The USTA attempted to play some matches on Sept. 7 but pulled back when such players as Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray protested the playing conditions.
Today’s matches include the top five-ranked men, and the top two-ranked women in addition to Serena Williams.
On the men’s side, No. 1 Novak Djokovic is scheduled to play Janko Tipsarevic (No. 20); No. 2 Nadel is playing Gilles Muller, No. 3 Roger Federer goes up against No. 11 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, No. 4 Murray faces Donald Young and No. 5 David Ferrer goes against Roddick (No. 21).
Meanwhile, No. 1 ranked Caroline Wozniacki is scheduled to play No. 10 Andrea Petkovic, No. 2 Vera Zvonareva goes up against no. 9 Samantha Stosur and Serena Williams (N0. 28) faces No. 17 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
TV coverage is scheduled for ESPN 2 and the Tennis Channel.
The tennis players had protested to the ATP, the worldwide governing body for men’s tennis.
“We understand it was a difficult situation with the rain and fans wanting to see tennis, but the health and safety of the players must be everyone’s priority,” the ATP World Tour said in statement. “If the players have any concerns, those must be taken into consideration.”
The USTA is trying to avoid a negative streak due to weather. The men’s finals were moved in 2008, 2009 and last year due to rain. Two days of delay seem likely to add to that record, with the women’s finals on Sept. 11 and the men’s finals on Sept. 12.
The event coincides with the 10th anniversary of 9/11, during which the USTA plans to hold a memorial for those lost during the terrorist attack in 2001.
The USTA already had to cancel Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day this year due to Hurricane Irene.