WTA tournaments in Melbourne: Match tie-break instead of third set
Special times require special measures. Therefore, instead of the third set, a match tiebreak will be played at the three WTA 500 events in Melbourne from Friday.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Feb 04, 2021, 11:13 am
The tournament director of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley, had already leaked it at his press conference in Melbourne Park, now there is certainty: Due to the extraordinary circumstances in Australia, the WTA made a format change - instead of the third set, a match tiebreak will be started on Friday ( Short decision up to 10 points) bring the decision about the victory.
As the women's organization confirmed on Thursday, this regulation will apply until the end of the three tournaments currently taking place in Melbourne. On the one hand, one would like to save time with this change in view of the busy schedule, on the other hand it is probably also about protecting the players from injuries before the upcoming Australian Open.
Nothing new on the ATP tour
With the men, however, everything stays the same. At both the ATP Cup and the two tour events - if necessary - a third set with a tie-break will be played as usual.
After the positive case of an employee in the player hotel, the organizers were pressed for time . Since the Australian Open should start on Monday as planned, all events must be finished by Sunday. For this reason, a total of 67 games are scheduled for Friday in Melbourne Park, many professionals would have to play a second time if they win. If it rains as expected, some matches could also take place indoors, according to Tiley .