It’s after 11 PM and Andy Roddick’s first round U.S. Open match just started versus German Bjorn Phau. Apparently, nobody figured Venus Williams to struggle before coming back to edge feisty Russian Vera Duchevina 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3 in a match that lasted over two and a half hours.

Late night matches at the Open have become a tradition but one avid tennis fan wonders if it’s always fair to the men that they follow the women who play at least two less sets. Perhaps it’s time for the USTA to consider making changes so that it’s a level playing field.

Most New Yorkers will wait because they enjoy the atmosphere at Ashe Stadium. But some do have to work the next day. For the prices they pay, the tennis could be finishing up a little earlier.

How would I feel if I covered it? I’m not sure. I’d probably enjoy the chance to cover such featured matches in Flushing but sometimes, it doesn’t end until the early hours of the morning. Especially if there’s a couple of competitive matches. That can’t be much fun for the press who have deadlines to meet.

Perhaps it’s time for the honchos to do some rethinking. Other than that, I’ll gladly watch Roddick-Phau with ESPN’s new McEnroe team calling the action. But not everyone can stay up. Let’s remember that.