Date:08/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090857251900.htm

Sport

Finals put off by a day

NEW YORK: Serena Williams waited six years to return to the U.S. Open final. What’s another day?

The title match between two-time champion Williams and first-time Grand Slam finalist Jelena Jankovic was postponed from Saturday to Sunday because of heavy rain brought by Tropical Storm Hanna.

Williams vs. Jankovic originally was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (2300 GMT) on Saturday, but about 3 (hours) before that, organisers announced they were shifting it. Eventually, the tournament announced play will start at 9 p.m. Sunday.

The men’s final was rescheduled from Sunday afternoon to Monday evening (2100 GMT). It’s the first Monday final for the men at Flushing Meadows since 1987, when Ivan Lendl defeated Mats Wilander.

It will be Williams’ first U.S. Open final since 2002, when she beat older sister Venus.

After beating Dinara Safina in straight sets on Friday in the semifinals, Williams was asked if she was concerned that forecasts were calling for rain on Saturday.

“I don’t know if we’ll play tomorrow, but I’m ready to play tomorrow,” Williams said.

“Hopefully we can. If not, I’ll be ready for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday — doesn’t matter.”

She is seeded fourth, Jankovic second, and the winner is assured of moving up to No. 1 in the rankings.

Saturday’s rain also forced play to be called off in the men’s semifinal between No. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 6 Andy Murray. That was slated to resume on Sunday, with Murray ahead 6-2, 7-6(5), 2-3.

Roof will be built

Meanwhile, the organisers say that they are more committed than ever to putting a cover over Arthur Ashe Stadium to prevent future washouts at the tournament.

Tournament chief executive Arlen Kantarian said they just completed a third study on a new roof but declined to give details on what the cost would be or when the roof would be built.

“At this point it is a question of when and not if,” said Kantarian. “We believe this tournament has reached the point where we are looking seriously at putting a roof on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.” — AP