Yes, starting earlier doesn’t have to mean bowing to US
The first time I covered the Australian Open, in 2001, the final began at 2pm. Andre Agassi beat Arnaud Clement in a lopsided final that lasted one hour, 46 minutes. This year marked my 18th visit and on Sunday I wondered aloud (on the internet) why, since 2005, the Australian Open men’s final has been played at night, when Wimbledon, the US Open and Roland-Garros are all afternoon starts.
