• US Open

US Open schedules Monday finish

ESPN staff
December 14, 2012
Weather caused havoc with the schedule at the 2012 US Open © Getty Images
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The men's US Open final will be played on a Monday in 2013, the United States Tennis Association has confirmed.

Andy Murray won this year's US Open title late on Monday evening local time after rain had forced organisers to postpone the final for a fifth consecutive year.

However, the USTA has now taken the unprecedented step of scheduling a Monday final, extending the tournament to 15 days after consulting with players.

The US Open's signature 'Super Saturday' - with both men's semi-finals and the women's final played on the same day - has been scrapped after complaints the finalists did not have a day to recover between the semi-finals and the final.

In 2013, the men's semi-finals will still take place on Saturday, with the ladies' final moved to Sunday, while a long-term decision over scheduling is unlikely to take place until after next year's tournament.

"We listened to the players and understood we needed to accommodate their request for an extra day of rest between the semi-finals and final," USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said. "The USTA reached out to many of the top players, player agents as well as the respective tours.

"So far, everything has been fairly positive. The day of rest is being embraced across the board. Because of the nature of the game, and to assure a final that can be played at the highest competitive level, you need an extra day of rest. We recognised that."

The USTA has also confirmed that the prize money pit will increase by a record $4 million to $29.5 million.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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