The Acura Classic (July 28 – August 5 at
the La Costa Resort & Spa), today
announced its lineup of on-air
commentators for the tournament’s 3-day
coverage on both ESPN2 and The Tennis
Channel. For the first time, veteran
sportscaster Ted Robinson, lead
announcer for NBC’s coverage of both
Wimbledon and the French Open since
2000, will provide play-by-play
commentary of the Acura Classic on
ESPN2. He will be joined by on-air hosts
Pam Shriver and Mary Joe Fernandez. The
Tennis Channel’s coverage will be
anchored by Leif Shiras and Katrina
Adams. Coverage on both networks will
include three days of matches from
Friday, August 3 though Sunday August 5.
In a move that will add another exciting
element for TV viewers, this year’s
Acura Classic will feature on-court
coaching for the first time. Players
will be allowed to converse with their
designated coach during each set break,
as well as when opponents call for their
trainer or take other emergency breaks.
On-court coaches, who will be seated
conveniently near the courtside, will be
equipped with microphones for all
matches aired on television, and the
sound will be broadcast live.
Additionally, the Acura Classic will
again employ live Hawk-Eye “Instant
Replay” technology on this year’s ESPN2
broadcasts.
Highlights of this year’s Acura Classic
coverage will include three live
broadcasts on ESPN2, including the
Championship Final on Sunday, August 5th
and a Semifinal Match on Saturday,
August 4th. Additionally, for the first
time this year Quarterfinal Matches will
be televised on Friday, August 3rd on
both The Tennis Channel and ESPN2. The
Acura Classic is also part of the Sony
Ericsson WTA Tour's exclusive Tier I
international tennis package, which will
reach a potential international
viewership of over 457 million homes.
The tournament will be televised in
Australia, Europe, China, Japan, the
Middle East, Russia, South America and
South Africa.
Following is the broadcast TV schedule
for the 2007 Acura Classic.
ESPN2
ESPN 2
Friday, August 3rd
8:00 PM PT/11:00 PM ET
ESPN 2
Saturday, August 4th
8:00 PM PT/11:00 PM ET
ESPN 2
Sunday, August 5th
2:00 PM PT/5 PM ET
The Tennis Channel
The Tennis Channel
Friday, August 3rd
11:00 AM PT/2:00 PM ET
The Tennis Channel
Saturday, August 4th
1:00 PM PT/4:00 PM ET
The Tennis Channel
Sunday, August 5th
Doubles Final
7:00 PM PT/10:00 PM ET
