Tennis fans in the Philippines will have the chance to watch their favorite players on free tv, as AkTV will be presenting coverage of the 2013 Australian Open.
Starting on January 22, AkTV will be kicking off their coverage of the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific with quarterfinal action in the men's singles, starting at 5:30 PM (via satellite) that day and on January 23. They will then show the men's semifinals on the 24th and 25th at the same time.
The women's final will be shown live on January 26, at 4:00 PM, with the men's final to be shown at the same time on January 27.
The coverage will be accompanied by local commentators and analysis. AkTV Sports Manager Vitto Lazatin notes the thrust that AkTV has in providing a Filipino perspective on international sporting events. Vitto adds that this will broaden the appeal of the sport to the Filipino audience.
Already booking his seats in the quarterfinals is top-seed Novak Djokovic, who virtually needed everything he got to take care of Stanislaus Wawrinka. Awaiting him in the quarters is Tomas Berdych. Also in the quarters is Olympic champion and US Open winner Andy Murray, who will be facing the unseeded Jeremy Chardy.
The women's draw has some familiar names in the quarters, like defending champion Victoria Azarenka, who faces Svetlana Kuznetsova, and former Aussie Open losing finalist Li Na, who faces Agnieszka Radwanska. Also in the bracket is Maria Sharapova, who will be facing countrywoman Ekaterina Makarova. Maria had earlier dispatched Venus Williams, and might have the chance to dispatch sister Serena, if the American can take care of her quarterfinal opponent, Sloane Stephens.
Awaiting the singles' champions is $2.5 million in prize money, the biggest that they have offered.
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