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Net gains: US Open adds extra day in 2013

The move came after several top male players complained that the US Open was the only tennis major that had its semi-finals and final on consecutive days.

THE US OPEN will incorporate a day’s rest before the 2013 men’s and women’s finals for the first time — but it could only be temporary.

The move came after several top male players complained that the US Open was the only tennis major that had its semi-finals and final on consecutive days.

In the past, the two men’s semi-finals and women’s final have been played on ‘Super Saturday’, with the men’s final scheduled for the Sunday.

The 2013 edition will now have the women’s final on Sunday and the men’s final to be contested on the Monday night. US Tennis Association spokesman Chris Widmaier said that feedback received was a key reason for the alteration.

“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,” 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.”

Following the announcement, Widmaier said that a decision about the schedule of the 2014 US Open would come after the 2013 event.

The USTA also announced that the total tournament prize money will rise US$4 million to a record US$29.5 million. However, the USTA said they have not yet decided how the new prize pool will be distributed.

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