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All new TENNIS thread- are we ready for clay? The road to Roland Garros starts here...

999 replies

Raahh · 14/04/2016 10:28

well, it has already started so, get the vanish out, the orange stuff gets everywhere.

Highlights to include- can Rafa win a tournament this April?
Is Djok starting a losing streak wishful thinking ?
Will Murray get enough sleep to retain his title in Madrid? (Doesn't appear to be scheduled to play Munich)
Will Stan's shorts be a patch on last year's?
And never discount the Rog Bot!

So, Vamos! Allez! Let's go!

Tennis
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Raahh · 24/05/2016 17:09

Afternoon, everyone.

Hello Bagel ! Ike is now a not so mini,mini schnauzer, and I can't imagine life without him reallyGrin.

MrsV-miniRaahh has been watching YouTube videos. She has been telling me all about why James Bay's Hold back the river video is rubbish (there's no river) and planning her birthday party. Her birthday is September 29th!!

Rafa's match was on Eurosport, they put it on when Bedene finished. (I think there are 2channels?) . He played very well, his first serve points percentage was nearly 95% (which those of us who support Rafa will know is brilliant, since his serve is a definite weakness). Groth, he of the fastest serve ever, had no chance, very few 'free' points- Rafa's return was great.

Obviously, I want Rafa to win the tournament. He is getting better, and came out all guns blazing today. There was no hint of the lack of confidence from last year.

But it really must be Djok's to lose. He wasn't too great in Rome though, some not great matches, and barely turned up to the final. Doesn't mean Murray is suddenly a favourite to win though-he didn't play many 'good' opponents. He also committed the sin, I think, of underestimating a player. Radek was always going to be tough.

Stan (until Geneva) had a fairly rubbish clay season. He will have to do much, much better from now on.

Outsiders I would love to see come through- Ferrer, Thiem (who has come on so far this year).

Nishikori will also be a big threat. Don't like him much, though.

Brief mention for the Women- glad Heather won, Jo is playing now, have never taken to Laura.

And SHIRT WATCH! What do we think of the stripy zebra-esque print shirts some are wearing? it made my eyes hurt.

And here ends my ramble. Have to take dd1 to football soon.

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Raahh · 24/05/2016 17:22

Granollers is currently beating Fognini 2-0 - foggy is in Rafa's bit of the draw , and had been s bit of a thorn in his side over the last year- so Vamos Marcel!

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MrsVamos · 24/05/2016 17:36

Hello lovely Smile

Glad to hear MiniRaahh is letting you watch the tennis by keeping herself entertained ! LOVE her logic re James Bay having no river, she'd fit right in here !

Don't have Eurosport, only ITV4. Sad

Have to say, completely disagree that the Slam is Novak's to lose. He lost against Andy a couple of weeks ago, and we all know that RG seems to be his nemesis. I don't think he's been playing as well as he can of late, for some reason he doesn't look as formidable as he once did.

I think there are other factors too. He whinges and whines like Murray if conditions on court aren't perfect, and his demons in his head seem to be getting worse as he gets older. I bet he will be miffed that he had to play later than planned today, miffed that Rafa and others have played really well and gone through without issue. These things all seem to build up and build up to be massive issues for him to have to mentally and emotionally overcome, and I can think of a couple of players who seem to cope better than him.

Wouldn't surprise me if he went out either before or at the quarters stage. There's just something niggling, I don't know what...

Although, listening to effing Jim Courier earlier you'd think he was the only male to ever sodding play tennis. Angry

DH commented that he was surprised Novak could play, Jim had his tongue so far up his arse. Grin

Having not seen anyone else play really, Angry I have no idea yet who is a serious contender. Murray looks doubtful if he plays again like he did yesterday, something not quite right there too.

I have my dreams, and I DO BELIEVE. Wink

MrsVamos · 24/05/2016 17:38

Jo Konta is having a bit of a mare. Sad

Assuming David and Jo are going well ?

I'll pop off to look...

MrsVamos · 24/05/2016 17:41

I think David's won, Jo's nearly won.

Azarenka is having a mare, Robson needn't have bothered turning up.

MrsVamos · 24/05/2016 17:42

This is really v annoying. Can hear huge crowd roars clearly from PC and we are watching Jo lose.

MrsVamos · 24/05/2016 18:03

Poor Jo. Sad

She's really tried, but nothing is working for her.

Onwards to grass season for her...

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 24/05/2016 18:05

I miss the red button where you can choose your match! Would have loved to see Ferrer play. I mean, I want to be patriotic and all that but actually, I just want to see the best matches out there and that's not this one. Wish I had something other than ITV4!

MrsVamos · 24/05/2016 18:24

Yy, TheOnly.

I think last year they got complaints and John explained that its not even down to them, as in ITV4, its the French broadcaster who decides what gets shown.

Might have changed this year though because there has been lots of Brit coverage. I do hope whoever decides doesn't think we all want to watch only the Brits featured.

Oh. FFS. Seriously ? Serena Williams ? URGH.

Oh, oh, and she's been broken but media have already been informed she has been struggling with food poisoning.

For someone who lives in France a lot she's clearly not got the hang of the food. Wink

MrsVamos · 24/05/2016 18:53

Well. Serena's clearly not ill. Grin

carabos · 24/05/2016 19:37

Serena's always suffering with some minor ailment or another. It's a tactic - if she loses, well it was down to the flu / food poisoning / virus and if she wins it burnishes her creds as the GOAT - look everyone, Serena wins with one hand tied behind her back.

I think she's an incredible athlete but I don't like some of the nonsense that surrounds her.

Raahh · 24/05/2016 20:03

I agree carabos- and RG last year was awful for her mooching around half dead- and then making a miraculous recovery.

Also made me view her bessie mate Marion differently- she is so far up Serena's arse, she couldn't say anything constructive at all.Neither couldSam- they werevery negative about whoever she played. It was all a totally over effusive love-in. if I didnt already dislike her, I really did then.

But yes, she is a formidable athlete, but she definiely knows how to 'play the game'.
I swear the officials are scared of her.

I forgot Tsonga in my 'outsiders I would like to win'. It would be a great boost for the tournament, and Paris, too.

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MrsVamos · 24/05/2016 20:35
Grin

She was mooching on court today. Looked like she was having a warm up session - crop leggings and jacket on.

You made me giggle, Raahh - it was Marion and Sam vommentating and they were very quick to get the "shes's been ill" point in !

Apparently, Serena NEVER looks at the schedule, and never knows who she is playing next, she just finds out on match day. Allegedly she doesn't like it if any journo's try to talk about her next opponent either.

I think that's a bit disrespectful.

Raahh · 24/05/2016 20:47

It is a bit rude- like, I don't need to do any research- I can beat anyone.

And how the hell does a person accidentally eat dog dog food? if not to mask the drugs ?Grin

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MrsVamos · 24/05/2016 20:58

I know ! She said she didn't realise it wasn't fit for human consumption !

Now, my lass has the packets of food like Natures Diet etc...I can tell by the bloomin smell I wouldn't want to eat it !

And canned or pouched food, even if it does have teeny bits of veg in, looks vile and I bet doesn't really smell of anything !

Perhaps someone warmed it up and she assumed it was a chef prepared casserole ?!

MrsVamos · 24/05/2016 21:00

Ol' John I made me smile tonight. He's raving that 3 male players are through to the 2nd round.

Except that Carl Kyle has Isner next.

Bless.

hugoagogo · 24/05/2016 21:04

Congrats on the baby grouchy, she is adorable FlowersChocolate
Didn't see much tennis today, what with stupid work.
Murray putting me through the wringer as per.
Bloody Bartoli sucking up to Serena was sick making as usual, but maybe a bit less annoying than the know it all constant talking from Martina Navratilova!

Raahh · 24/05/2016 21:05

I love it when they get over excited by the number of Brits that go through. Takes me back to the heady days of Jeremy Bates.Grin

I am guilty of occasionally letting Ike eat chicken.

But I'm quite sure Pedigree chum and proper Beef Casserole are very different. Grin

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Raahh · 24/05/2016 21:07

Kyle/Carl wimped out of his second round against Kyrgios last year. Wonder if he will do the same this year?

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MrsVamos · 24/05/2016 21:14

Oh my word, Jeremy Bates ! What a blast from the past ! Such a trier !

Yy, I'm norty, Lass eats all kinds of meat. She luffs it. Smile

I think Carl/Kyle currently thinks he's Mr. Invincible...

hugo Hullo ! Lovely to see you !

Raahh · 24/05/2016 21:17

hugo evening!

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hugoagogo · 24/05/2016 21:26
Grin
BagelGoesWalking · 24/05/2016 23:30

Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't enjoy the Marion/Serena love fest. Really annoyed me last year. Also dislike the cold/flu/food poisoning that always seem to afflict her, then miraculously disappear. Do they really think the public don't notice tactics like this?

Did at songs win? Only saw the beginning

Ha! Jeremy Bates - what a blast from the past Smile

BagelGoesWalking · 24/05/2016 23:31

"At songs" = Tsonga

hugoagogo · 25/05/2016 07:45

Yes Tsonga went through, the commentary implied he isn't it great form, but I haven't seen enough of him playing to make an opinion. They cut away to poor Laura getting thrashed. obv.
It's a shame Murray is on third today as I would have liked to see Gasquet as well. I do love his backhand Smile

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