DIRECTV to air Australian Open

From Sunday until Friday 21, viewers can enjoy up to six live matches from six different courts on one screen: Channel 638. From January 21-30, live coverage will be available exclusively on ESPN International — Channel 620 and ESPN HD — Channel 1011.

Persons can select their match of choice to hear live audio, or at the push of a button watch any of the six matches on its own full-screen court channel. Individual court channels: 639, 640, 641, or 642 can also be directly accessed.

Get real time statistics for each match on the interactive mosaic channel, 638. Scores for each match will be available as well as a continuously updated schedule of upcoming matches. Coverage of in-progress, completed and upcoming singles matches from the current and prior day will be available whenever you want.

DVR customers can record matches for viewing at a later time. Live matches can be “put on hold” with just a click of the “Pause” button or create your own personal replay using the “Rewind” button. DVR customers can then fast forward to current match plays. Each daily session has approximately eight hours of coverage, and any match starting prior to 2 am will be shown to completion. Each match day serves off at prime-time at 8 pm with the exception of the first day of play which starts at 7.30 pm.

Roger Federer has been tipped to beat top seed Rafael Nadal after displaying remarkable form in his first tournament for the season, not dropping a set in the Qatar Open on Saturday, becoming the first three-time winner. However, Nadal will be aiming to complete his first career Grand Slam.

In the absence of defending champion Serena Williams on the women’s side, a few players are marked for spotlight. The top contender is world number one ranked Caroline Wozniacki, although her best result at the Australian Open is reaching the last 16 in 2008 and 2010. Her powerful yet consistent tennis which has brought her 12 WTA tour career titles is unquestionably good enough to win a major title.