Weather Update: 18 & Over 4.5 Nationals playing modified Fast 4 due to forecast for rain

I wrote yesterday in my preview of the weekend that Arlington, TX, the site of the 18 & Over 4.5 Nationals, that rain was forecast for Saturday and even a good chance of showers today and Sunday.

I've learned that it appears the USTA is taking the pre-emptive step of going to a short format immediately and is not waiting for the rain to come.  The format is is a modified Fast 4, first two sets first player to 4 games (no tie-break) and a 3rd set that is a 12 point (first to 7) tie-break.  I have not confirmed, but I'm guessing the games are no-ad as well.

This format will definitely get matches done quicker.  The absolute most points played (assuming a 7-5 3rd set tie-break) is 110.  While a normal scoring match that goes to one deuce every game and 7-5 tie-breaks the first two sets and a 10-8 tie-break in the third would be 234.  So the matches should take about half the time and perhaps they can get most if not all the round-robin in today.

Of course, there was a 50% chance of rain today, so doing that may be difficult.

Stay tuned for updates.