Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has described the scheduling of matches as a ‘total mess’ after a US Open women’s match didn’t end until the early hours of Monday morning.
Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng beat Donna Vekic 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-2, in an encounter that didn’t end until 2:15am local time. Making it the latest-finishing women’s match in US Open history. It comes just two days after Aryna Sabalenka didn’t walk into court until after midnight to play her third round match.
“The tennis scheduling situation is a total mess. It looks so amateurish having matches going on at 2,3 4am. Sort it out.” Murray wrote in a post in X directed at tennis’ governing bodies.
Ironically, there have been changes to this year’s rules aimed at limiting early morning finishes. The USTA has allowed the tournament referee more flexibility in their decisions to move matches to other courts if they have not started by 11:15 pm. As long as they can do so.
Despite the controversy, Zheng is taking it all in her stride. She has been taken to three sets in three out of her four matches played so far in the tournament.
“It’s always nice for me to play at the night session. I’m used to it,” she said during her on-court interview.
“When I played in Palermo all the time I played really late. It’s my first time playing here in New York til 2 in the morning. That’s unbelievable. Thanks to the fans who are not sleeping tonight and supported me here.”
Zheng will next take on Sabalenka for a place in the semi-finals.
