2012 US Open: Super Saturday Washout Very Possible

Every year, the final Saturday at the U.S. Open is a very special day. As a matter of fact, it has come to be known as Super Saturday. You have the men’s semifinal matches topped off by a primetime under-the-lights women’s finals.

As tennis fans get ready to watch at 11 a.m. ET, the opening men’s semifinal between No. 3 seed Andy Murray and No. 6 seed Tomas Berdych, followed by No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic taking on No. 4 seed David Ferrer, there could be a weather issue. But before we get to that, here is a very important program note for those watching the matches starting at 11 a.m.

If your local CBS affiliate is not showing the Murray-Berdych match, you can see it live on CBS Sports Network. However, at noon the entire CBS network should be on board for the full day of tennis.

Now back to the weather issues.

What is at the moment in jeopardy is the Woman’s final between No. 1 seed Victoria Azarenka and No. 4 seed and three-time U.S. Open champion Serena Willams, set to start at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

According to local New York television station WCBS, there is a 50 percent chance of rain predicted for the area starting this morning, and it builds throughout out the day. There is between a 60 and 70 percent chance of rain from 4 p.m. this afternoon that stays in place until very early Sunday morning.

The last thing that U.S. Open officials want to see is a washout of the entire day of tennis forcing them to move all the action to Sunday up against the opening of the NFL season. That would also force CBS to juggle the matches between the main network and CBS Sports Network.

Also, that would make for a Monday men’s final, which would not be good for ratings or the crowd either. So let’s hope that the rain holds off and Super Saturday can go off without any rain delays.