US Open (ATP) 2006 on Universal HD

[Chandu]

Reminder that the 2006 ATP US Open coverage begins on Monday. All opening rounds will be in 1080i HD on Universal HD. Check the program schedules for Universal HD.

I'm assuming NBC will do the later rounds in HD, but am not absolutely sure about that.

Another point BTW - This will be Andre Agassi's last major tournament. Good luck to him.

[Chandu]

For those who've never seen tennis in HD, tune into ESPN2HD **RIGHT NOW** to check out what the coverage will look like. There are some completely new rules introduced from US Open onwards (which are being trialed in these smaller ATP competitions right now). Basically, players get chances to challenge referee decisions with video reviews. There are 2 challenge chances per set for each player, and if you win a challenge you don't lose "challenge chance count". It's a bit complicated, but once you start following, you get the hang of it.

Of course, I don't know if it's a good thing or bad thing being able to see Lindsey Davenport in HD. I'm sure many will feel exactly opposite about Maria Sharapova. As for me personally, I'll be interested in watching due to the sport itself (mostly interested in watching high level men's tennis).

[Chandu]

Wow!! I'm happy NBC / USA / Universal HD guys are happy with the way this tournament opened. They've obviously scheduled marquee matches in primetime hoping for best ratings. Tuesday night primetime is the James Blake 1st round match.

[Stewart Vernon]

I wish there had been HD back in what I consider the glory days of tennis back when I was little... With Borg, McEnroe, Lendl, Connors (no particular order here), Navratilova, Graf, Evert, and so forth... I used to love watching tennis back then.

[Chandu]

Wow!!! What a great match that was on Thursday night between Agassi and Baghdatis! I tip my hat to Baghdatis for his good display of sportsmanship and spirit, playing through unbearable injury like that. He earned tons of respect from me.