So that Nine has some tennis content to show in primetime for Perth viewers?
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Even Nine did kinda realize the match is going to be short. Look at the difference in the Perth schedule on the weekend.
They’re risking that the match point and trophy ceremony will be on 9Gem…
…but not Sunday.
My estimation of 10.10pm stemmed from an approximate budget of 7.40pm first ball + 1:30 match + 0:30 ceremony + 0:30 postmatch.
Even if I’m generously giving Nine 1:00 postmatch and the match itself ended up being 2:00, it’s still 11.10pm. Hardly midnight.
That is why I thought that there might have been a doubles match after the Women’s Final. One because of the long scheduled time on Nine, and two because it was the case a few years back. I hadn’t realised that the doubles was changed to during the day.
The post match segments will probably include some highlights of the doubles and the Women’s Final, to stretch it out to midnight in some cities.
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AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 14: WOMEN’S SINGLES FINAL
SABALENKA V RYBAKINA FROM 6.30PM AEDT
AUSSIES KUBLER AND POLMANS IN THE MEN’S DOUBLES FINAL
The stage is set for Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina to fight for victory in the 2026 Australian Open women’s singles final tomorrow - Saturday, January 31 from 6.30pm AEDT on the 9Network.
Two of the most powerful hitters in women’s tennis will serve up the next chapter in their growing rivalry when Sabalenka chases her third AO title, and Rybakina looks to deliver revenge after losing the 2023 final against the same opponent.
Sabalenka has flexed on her opponents throughout the tournament so far to continue her dominance at Melbourne Park, where she has lost only four of 57 sets played at the AO over the last four years.
Despite Sabalenka’s impressive record in Australia, defeat in last year’s final has only thrown fuel on the fire in her journey back to the summit on Rod Laver Arena.
Rybakina presents as a tough opponent with a head-to-head record of 6 wins in 14 meetings, as the 2022 Wimbledon champion looks to fight fire with fire from the service line.
Aussie’s Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans will headline the day session in the final of the men’s doubles from 12.00pm AEDT in a huge day of grand slam tennis.
The Morning Serve is live from 11.00am AEDT before day session coverage is live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now from 12.00pm AEDT.
Expert commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Jelena Dokic, John McEnroe, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Stosur, Dylan Alcott, John Millman, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith and Alicia Molik.
Running into a 4th set now. Not sure Nine will be happy bumping into the news in AEDT areas; might have preferred the game to be over.
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Alcaraz led 5-4 (30-0) at 5.33pm and 6-5 (30-0) at 5.43pm.
He had two chances to provide the perfect lead-in to AEDT states.
Instead, not only did he concede the first set this tournament, the match will run over Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide news time. If there is a set 5, so goes Brisbane.
No lead is safe in tennis. Both players learned that the hard way today.
There’s gonna be a big audience for MASH!
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Well, on that front, Yorkshire Auction House won’t be far behind.
The Primetime Ratings would Rocket.
Would be an 8pm-9pm AEDT estimated start if the current match is still going
Has 9 dropped TP in QLD this afternoon?
Yes.
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Wwos could’ve tried to get someone in their Melbourne Park broadcast compound to get on the blower to NPC Media at Frenchs Forest and quickly ask them to delete that promo from the Nine ingestion.
Chances that the Alcaraz-Zverev match could end before 9 comes back on air (in NSW/VIC/TAS area), or stay alive if Zverev wins the tiebreak that is happening right now.
Quick timing note here.
The current match has gone to a fifth set (how?!), therefore it cannot finish before 7pm.
That means the “45 minute rule” is now in effect. My estimation is set 5 will last 40 minutes (if no tiebreak), which means Djokovic v Sinner will start at 8.20pm AEDT.
But hey, I think we can appreciate the only channel-change notices that will appear will be “WA viewers to continue watching - standby to switch/switch now to…”.