It's possible that the organisers made their decision (which half played first) from a pro Aussie perspective. I am sure that having played the Sydney final on Saturday night Tomic was happier playing on Tuesday than on Monday.
Rain delays from the quarters onwards are very significant factor even now at Wimbledon with only 1 covered court. So I suppose that, at least, is removed from the Aus Open scheduling debate.
I do think that however much we dislike the way the scheduling affects a particular player, it can make for a more exciting tournament. If we iron out all the discrepancies it removes the wonderful matches we've all enjoyed where a combination of factors leads to an unexpected outcome.
The one thing that raises sport above all else is that you don't know who will win until it's over..
My local team Brentford are playing Chelsea on Sunday. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt we'll get slaughtered but you just don't know for sure until it's over. (please don't burst my bubble of vain hope ) Ballboys are being offered armour as I write.
I'm looking forward to how the US Open fracas unfolds. I'm sorry but a final on a Monday is just a step too far for an old codger like me.
I'm hunkering down now to prepare for the morning. I don't care so much who wins as wanting to see a competitive injury free match.
Well I know , I hope it just made me sound like some righteous and fair person ! Frankly I'd be happy if Fed fell over the umpires chair on the way in and defaulted .
In fairness I do hope it is a good match but obviously I would take Andy winning a poor match over Fed winning a good match.
Also putting my patriotic support for Andy aside I really think he has a better chance of beating Novak and whatever happens tomorrow I really don't want Novak to win this tournament. Wawrinka was robbed in the fourth in round and Novak's dishonesty in that incident is not something that I will forget in a hurry.
In fairness I do hope it is a good match but obviously I would take Andy winning a poor match over Fed winning a good match.
Also putting my patriotic support for Andy aside I really think he has a better chance of beating Novak and whatever happens tomorrow I really don't want Novak to win this tournament. Wawrinka was robbed in the fourth in round and Novak's dishonesty in that incident is not something that I will forget in a hurry.
I must have missed this incident though I did see a fair part of the match - what happened?
Meanwhile in today's match from what I have seen so far Andy looking pretty good just not quite in control enough to be certain of victory.
Andy will be wondering how this match has gone to a 5th set as he has been the better player throughout, but Federer certainly upped his game when it mattered most.
I think Andy is mentally tough enough these days to not let it affect him in the decider.
Andy will be wondering how this match has gone to a 5th set as he has been the better player throughout, but Federer certainly upped his game when it mattered most.
The match should have finished in 3. It is only Murray's sloppiness that has kept Federer in the match.