Miami Open women’s doubles finalists dealt another big blow during rain delay

The Miami Open tennis tournament is ending the same way it began on March 15, with a lot of rain that affects play. As it began, the ending is also impacted by an interesting and controversial decision by tournament director James Blake.

The women’s doubles final between the Italian team of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini and the Indian Wells champions, Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, has been suspended for rain at a crucial moment. The score is 5-6, 40-0, and the Italians are serving to send the first set into a deciding tiebreaker.

When the women get the go ahead to resume play, they will change courts: from the Stadium to the Grandstand. The reason for this is to allow the men’s final between Jannik Sinner and Jiri Lehecka to begin on the Stadium court.

MORE: 3 ways Aryna Sabalenka is rewriting tennis history with Sunshine Double win

What prompts this decision

Finals days at the Miami Open have been rainy before, and with two matches on the docket, both get played on the Stadium court. It may take much longer than expected, but it eventually happens.

This year, the men’s final and the women’s doubles final will happen concurrently.

Fans will have to choose which match to watch, and in an era where doubles does not get the respect and attention it rightfully deserves, this is another blow for this tennis discipline.

MORE: Once a decade Sunshine Double achievement possible for Jannik Sinner at Miami Open

Different conditions on Grandstand court

Players have noted that the courts play differently, and that will be especially true after the rain. However, it is a tall order to ask the doubles teams to adjust to a new court after weathering a rain delay and to do it at a pivotal point in the match.

The first set hangs in the balance and could be decided within the first minutes of play as the players adjust to the new conditions.

It is an unsual decision that makes it seem as though the women’s doubles final where Siniakova and Townsend are attempting to win the Sunshine Double is a lesser priority or an afterthought.

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