Venus Williams Match Moves to Wednesday to Benefit Television

Two-time U.S. Open champion Venus Williams would normally be playing her quarterfinal match today or tonight against Jelena Jankovic, but because their match has such national television appeal - and also because defending champion Maria Sharapova was bounced from the tournament three days ago - it was put off until Wednesday night to be played before the expected men's showdown between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, the USTA said.

"It's clearly a marquee matchup that showcases the sport," USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier told Newsday. "We talked to each player and they encouraged it, thought it was a good idea."

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With the highest remaining seeds in the bottom half of the women's draw being Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anna Chakvetadze, USTA Managing Director Jim Curley, Chief Executive Arlen Kantarian and Chief Business Officer Pierce O'Neil decided to make the move for the benefit of the national television audience, Newsday said.

A smart move considering the Federer-Roddick match is a rematch of last year's final and should be a ratings winner for the USA Network. Venus would meet sister Serena in the semifinals if both win their next matches.