... then two come along. This ATP one in Australia seems designed to stick two fingers up to the ITF one, inviting 24 teams not 18 (although that will lead to loads of dead rubbers) and awarding ranking points (which they stopped doing for Davis Cup a few years ago).
They haven't stopped with the tinkering there, though - doubles matches, if required after the two singles, will be played no-ad and match tie-break if one set apiece. Is that deliberately to ensure the doubles match is done with as soon as possible? Seems a bit of an insult to any specialist doubles players going out there to play, who may end up being the equivalent of substitutes only expecting to be brought on for extra time if needed in football tournaments.
They haven't stopped with the tinkering there, though - doubles matches, if required after the two singles, will be played no-ad and match tie-break if one set apiece. Is that deliberately to ensure the doubles match is done with as soon as possible? Seems a bit of an insult to any specialist doubles players going out there to play, who may end up being the equivalent of substitutes only expecting to be brought on for extra time if needed in football tournaments.
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