Date:06/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/06/stories/2004100608681800.htm

Sport - Tennis

Australian Open: Men's final at night

MELBOURNE, OCT. 5. The centenary Australian Open will feature the first night men's final in a Grand Slam event, organisers confirmed at the launch of the 2005 tournament.

The Australian Open began as the Australasian Championships in 1905 in Melbourne. It was held twice in New Zealand and rotated around Australia's mainland capitals before finding a permanent home in Melbourne in the 1970s.

``Winning a Grand Slam is the pinnacle of a player's career. Add in the prestige of becoming champion in the centenary year and we can expect this Australian Open to have an extra special edge,'' said Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard.

Pollard said the men's final, scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, January 30, will attract a broader international audience because it will be screened in prime time in Australia, during the afternoon in Asian time zones and Sunday morning in Europe.

``It's now (from 2005) in daylight hours in Europe,'' he said. ``It's great hours in Asia so it's a real step forward for worldwide coverage and interest and viewership.''

Australian Open chief executive Paul McNamee said 2003 singles champions Roger Federer and Justine Henin-Hardenne would be competing at Melbourne Park to defend their titles. — AP