Today, ESPN2’s first-ever coverage of tennis’ US Open was highlighted by many memorable moments, dramatic play and commentary both insightful and humorous. With programming on ESPN Radio, ESPN360.com, ESPNEWS and more – in addition to ESPN2’s 100 hours during the two-week tournament – ESPN is completing a Grand Slam, presenting all four of the sport’s majors, which no U.S. network has ever done before, let alone in a single year.
- There were matches that were routine — straight-set victories by defending champions Roger Federer and Serena Williams – and bizarre: two-time US Open winner Venus Williams flirting with unprecedented disaster before finally escaping from Vera Dushevina 6-7, 7-5, 6-3 in 2:43.
- ESPN’s newest analyst, four-time US Open champ John McEnroe, who played in the network’s first-ever tennis telecast on Sept. 14, 1979 (a Davis Cup tie vs. Argentina from Memphis, Tenn., just one week after ESPN launched Sept. 7), said to his booth partner for the Federer vs. Devin Britton, Cliff Drysdale, who was on that first telecast and has been ESPN 30 years: “I never thought this day would come that you and I would be in the booth together. This is pretty amazing. I’m sure you didn’t either.”
- Federer was interviewed by host Chris Fowler and analyst Brad Gilbert on the ESPN2 set, to the delight of hundreds of fans who gathered and chanted “Ro-ger, Ro-ger” on the plaza outside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
- Day merged into night as the afternoon session ran long and the network continued with James Blake’s match against Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo until its conclusion, virtually up to the start of the evening session at 7 p.m. ET, preempting the scheduled daily highlights show (6-7 p.m.).
- An emotional opening night ceremony, hosted by ESPN alumna Robin Roberts, now co-host of ABC’s Good Morning America, honored athletes who have done great deeds off the fields and courts of competition – Doug Flutie, Mia Hamm, David Robinson and tennis great Andre Agassi.
- The McEnroe brothers – John and Patrick – debuted as a booth pairing for the Andy Roddick-Bjorn Phau match. Earlier, on the ESPN set, John promised great things, saying to his younger sibling, “We can’t just be OK. We’re going to kick some ‘you know what.’”
- Roving reporter Pam Shriver provided fans insights into Venus Williams’ aching knee by interviewing the star’s father, Richard Williams, and Billie Jean King, who suffered from knee problems during her legendary career. (Pam also asked Billie Jean if she needs a ticket to enter a facility that is named for her. Ms. King admitted she goes “by the book” and has a credential for admittance.) In addition, Shriver tracked down Venus’ hitting partner David Witt about the knee and the high number of foot faults called on the #3 seed.
- Lamenting the plight of fans who may have to leave while play continues late on a weeknight – at the time Venus Williams vs. Dushevina was barely into the 2nd set at 9:45 p.m. and did not end until 10:51 p.m., meaning the nightcap match of Andy Roddick and Bjorn Phau could be playing to 1 a.m. or later, Mary Carillo said, “Not us, but some people have real jobs.”
- The first-ever appearance of ESPN Radio/ESPN2’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m.) from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The duo will be on the air live again tomorrow, Tues., Sept 1.
ESPN2’s coverage continues tomorrow, Tues., Sept. 1, with the following matches starting at 1 p.m.:
(1) Dinara Safina (RUS) vs Olivia Rogowska (AUS)
(4) Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Ivan Ljubicic (CRO)
(5) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) vs Roberta Vinci (USA)
(22) Sam Querrey (USA) vs Michael Yani (USA)
(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) vs Camille Pin (FRA)
At 7 p.m., ESPN2’s Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM will present two matches:
(29) Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL)
(2) Andy Murray (GBR) vs Ernests Gulbis (LAT)
This week’s schedule:
Date |
Time (ET) |
Event |
Network |
|
Tues, Sept 1 |
6-10 a.m. |
Mike & Mike in the Morning with Mike Greenberg & Mike Golic |
ESPN Radio / ESPN2 |
|
|
Noon-2 p.m. |
US Open Updates |
ESPNEWS |
|
|
1-6 p.m. |
Early Round Action |
ESPN2 |
|
|
6-7 p.m. |
US Open Scoreboard |
ESPN2 |
|
|
7-11 p.m. |
Early Round Action |
ESPN2 |
|
Wed, Sept 4 – Fri, Sept 4 |
Noon-2 p.m. |
US Open Updates |
ESPNEWS |
|
|
1-6 p.m. |
Early Round Action |
ESPN2 |
|
|
6-7 p.m. |
US Open Scoreboard |
ESPN2 |
|
|
7-11 p.m. |
Early Round Action |
ESPN2 |
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