MUMBAI: French Open 2006 has graced Ten Sports at a time when its hands are full with the India-West Indies cricket series. The broadcaster has however found a way out by roping in Zee Sports as a telecast partner for the tennis tourney.

According to a deal inked by both the broadcasters, while Ten Sports retains the marketing rights, Zee Sports will exclusively telecast all the final matches, which include Men Singles, Men Doubles, Women Singles, Women Doubles and Mixed Doubles live. The other matches will be available on both channels.

This arrangement has been necessitated because Ten Sports' focus will of course be on West Indies versus India cricket series which is shaping up to be a real classic confrontation.

Ten Sports VP programming Peter Hutton comments, "We have been concerned for some time about the clashes every year between West Indies cricket and our live coverage of the French Open. This new arrangement will allow viewers to choose between their favourite sporting events so that no one loses out."

Zee Sports business head Himanshu Mody adds, "We are delighted to conclude the broadcast sharing agreement with Ten Sports for one of the most exciting tennis events of the year." He further added, "This acquisition adds to the exciting line up of tennis properties on Zee Sports which includes WTA, Davis Cup and Fed Cup."

The agreement marks increasing co-operation between Ten Sports and Zee Sports, after Ten recently sub-licensed the India versus Pakistan cricket from Abu Dhabi from Zee for the Pakistan region, points out an official release.

French Open 2006 is scheduled for 27 May to 13 June, while the cricket series will go on till 30 June. The countries have already played three One Day Internationals. The remaining matches will be played as per the following schedule: May 26 Fourth ODI Trinidad / May 28 Fifth ODI Trinidad / Jun 02-06 First Test Antigua / Jun 10-14 Second Test St Lucia / June 22-26 Third Test St Kitts / June 30 - Jul 04 Fourth Test Jamaica.