There are many things to like about this year’s coverage.
But one that hasn’t been mentioned is the lack of that stupid “Live and Free” watermark clutter that sticks out like dogs on Seven. The difference was so obvious when flicking between the cricket and tennis yesterday. Thanks Nine for not giving us that pointless watermark.
The lack of live and free and after the tennis is a huge positive as well as all matches streamed at no charged at 9Now and the availability to Chromecast matches
According to the AO website, the Djokovic match won’t begin before 7:30pm AEDT (like last night) so don’t know why they would have an 1 hour pre-game for that.
The only thing I can think of is if the women’s doubles final (featuring Sam Stosur) goes three sets, Nine might want to be able to show the conclusion of that on the main channel?
Some of my mates are saying that AO moving to Ch9 is working like a charm, so many Aussies advancing much further and even winning just like Stosur winning Ladies Doublés.
According to AO website, the junior boys singles final is scheduled at Rod Laver Arena not before 2.30pm AEDT. Is Nine planning to show this match?
EDIT: with the early end to tonight’s men’s semi-final in which Djokovic dispatched Pouille in straight sets, Nine is now replaying this afternoon’s women’s doubles final.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN BROADCAST SCHEDULE - Saturday 25 January
NAOMI OSAKA & PETRA KVITOVA SET FOR BATTLE IN TONIGHT’S WOMEN’S FINAL
On Nine tonight from 6.30pm, the 2019 Australian Open Women’s Final will see an exciting duel between two grand slam champions – the veteran Petra Kvitova from the Czech Republic, and the rising star from Japan, Naomi Osaka .
The two players have experienced contrasting runs to tonight’s big clash. For Kvitova, the journey has been fairly smooth, with the 28-year-old not having lost a set.
Osaka, on the other hand, has been taken to three sets in three out of her six matches , including her semi-final clash against Karolina Pliskova.
Both women will be in search of a maiden Australian Open win, with the victor taking home a $4.1 million pay cheque.
In this afternoon’s coverage on Nine, Australia’s own Dylan Alcott will be on the hunt for a fifth straight AO title when he takes on American David Wagner in the Final of the Men’s Quad Wheelchair Singles
According to Ticketek website, both days of Australia v Bosnia and Herzegovina will be twilight sessions. Friday session starts at 4.30pm AEDT with 2 x Best-of-3 Set Singles. Saturday session starts at 3.30pm with 1 x Best-of-3 Set Doubles and 2 x Best-of-3 Set Reverse Singles.
Todd Woodbridge is the MC for post-match presentations for this year’s Australian Open. Previously it was Seven’s commentators who had the role like Sandy Roberts, Bruce McAvaney and Basil Zempilas.