ESPN eyeing U.S. Open

ESPN is poised to become the network of all of tennis' Grand Slam events with the news Monday that USA Network will no longer televise early round matches of the U.S. Open tournament after this year.

Already cable home — in some cases partnering with the Tennis Channel — for the U.S. Open series leading up to the Aug. 25-Sept. 7 tournament in New York as well as Grand Slam events the Australian and French opens and Wimbledon, ESPN told Tennis Week it was in discussions with the United States Tennis Association about acquiring the U.S. Open contract. Tennis Week is reporting the deal is already done. CBS has the broadcast rights.

ESPN announced earlier this month it had finalized a six-year agreement with The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club to keep Wimbledon on the cable network through 2013. The deal also includes enhanced digital and international rights.