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Andy Murray calls for change after late US Open finish: ‘It’s a total mess’

Posted on by Vaseline
Andy Murray calls for change after late US Open finish: ‘It’s a total mess’

Andy Murray has criticised the scheduling of the US Open after Flushing Meadows hosted the last women’s event.

Zheng Qinwen secured a 7-6(2) 4-6 6-2 victory over Donna Vekic at 02:15 local time, two minutes later than an earlier clash between female competitors at the last Grand Slam of the year had ended.

Late finishes at the majors have been a recurring theme this year, with criticism of late finishes also coming from the Australian Open and French Open.

And Murray, who ended his active career after the Olympics, has called on organisers to “sort it out”.

“The tennis scheduling is a total mess,” the Scot said on X, formerly Twitter. “It looks so amateurish to have matches at 2, 3, 4 in the morning. Sort it out.”

The men’s matches, which are played over five sets, often last late into the night in New York. The quarterfinal between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in 2022, for example, will end at 3 a.m.

The round of 16 match between Zheng and Vekic was a repeat of the Paris 2024 final, with the Chinese winning again, keeping alive her hopes of a maiden Grand Slam title to go with her Olympic gold medal.

“It’s always fun to play in the night session because I’m used to it,” Zheng said. “It’s the first time I’m playing here in New York at 2am. It’s incredible. Thanks to the fans who don’t sleep tonight and support me here.

“She is really difficult to play on hardcourt, she puts me under pressure. At Roland Garros I was in control. But today she hit really aggressive. It was difficult for me to play against her. It was a very nice win for me.”

The seventh seed will face Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16.

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