TENNIS THREAD!- From the Road to Rio, to Flushing Meadows...

[Raahh]

before my phone decides to give up altogether, here's a new thread to get us on our way.

Andy Murray still in the Olympic Singles, as is Rafa,

Jo Konta through for the women.

Lots of missing names from the top players- but we are edging towards the US open- without Federer- and who knows, maybe even without Djokovic.

Could we be heading for all change at the top?

Becker, I have to admit the same thought about Novak has crossed my mind...

Barbara, sorry to hear about your health scare. I know it's not as bad as it could have been, but it's still a horrible thing to have to go through.

I've only been following the US Open on here and via social media sites, as I haven't got Sky or Eurosport. It doesn't sound as if I'm missing much though!

Play is suspended. I'm watching Bake off though. Sad that the Delpo/Stan match is on late, and more so that they are meeting noe, as I would be happy for either to win the tournament (but Juan a bit more than Stan).

I knew people would question the 'luck' that Djok has had,(and, usual disclaimer that I'm no fan) but I agree with Barbara here- If it had been MY favorite player in the same shoes, I would be embarrassed (but relieved) by the results.. Yup, if Rafa had had half the luck, I'd be thrilled to bits.

Am glad it's on at a reasonable time Space

Oh yes - the year Murray won the US open I stayed up to watch the final, but I was abroad so there was an additional time difference. I think it finished around 5:30am!!

I've been thinking about the Djokovic thing too - as much as I dislike him (and that is a not insignificant amount ), it's a bit too 'obvious'. Tracks would be covered better than simply having multiple retirements, I think. Also, the amount you'd have to pay the more well-known players to deliberately throw/withdraw would be so high that you'd need to place huuuuuuge bets to get a decent return, and bets of that size would draw so much attention that questions would be asked.

Obviously, now that I've said that, we'll all get up tomorrow morning to newspaper headlines of "DJOKO-FIX!!!" and it will turn out that I was completely wrong

I could live with that, Space.

Oh dear. Ken has just broken Andy's serve after some minor aggro with the chair umpire and gone on to back it up with a hold.

I am guilty of the commentator's curse, aren't I? Saying how poorly Ken was playing, only to have him go on to win a set, etc. etc.

it's frustrating that they stick to the time schedule at the US open- this match could finish soon, they could get Halep on (and Serena in her freaky sleeves). They could finish in an hour, and I would get to see some of Juan and Stan.

But , no

It would be a good opportunity to get an early night, though. It I wasn't watching the Paralympics stuff

I think they do that, Raah, because the tickets are separate for the afternoon and evening sessions. So they have to clear out the first set of bums to make way for the second.

Oh dear. Ken has broken Andy right out of the gate for the 5th set. I wanted someting more interesting....

Andy has long ceased to be scary good. Now, he is just scary.

A loss here would fit with the Djokovic easy draw narrative, though.

Barbara- I know, but it still annoys me . and it's all to do with tv rights, too, of course.

and yy, I suppose it would add fuel to the Djok theories if Murray lost. Though I think Stan or Juan could give him a run for his money.

Now Andy has broken back; hope is not lost. This service game is frustrating, tho'.

Do you think so, Raahh? I'm a bit concerned about Delpo, and Stan can be so flaky sometimes.

I'll be happy with anyone but Ken from this half for the final.

I live in hope Barbara- and I don't want Murray or Djok to win!

Or ken!

I'll settle for a Monfils/Juan final though.

It's good to see Monfils playing to his potential and not just messing about.

I'm watching the paralympic opening ceremony. I didn't bother with the Olympic one, because it started at midnight. For some reason, this started much earlier.

It's very colourful, I suppose

4 all. Listening to it on 5 live via the telly. I only usually do this for the final.

What do we think about Monfils v ND? Their head to head is 12-0 to the Djokester. Gael has really ramped things up of late. And he is so likeable!

13th time lucky?!

It would be nice to have a Good Guys Final: Delpo v Monfils.

I would love to see Monfils beat Novak, and he could stand a chance, given that Novak hasn't been 100% coming into this tournament. But he also hasn't had chance to play, so it would be unwise to think that gives him a disadvantage.If anything, it means Monfils has no idea how well(or badly) Djok is playing. If that ramble makes sense?

it did in my head.

I've read so many articles these past few weeks, on how loved Delpo is.It really is amazing. I think he is genuinely one of the most liked players on the tour.

it would be an absolute fairy tale if he was to win again.

Yeah, I get it, Raah. I agree, it would be absolutely incredible and so deserved for Delpo to win.

I'm surprised that Ivan Lendl hasn't gotten up and walked out of this match by now.

I would have liked someone to threaten ND's #1 place. A win by Murray and an earlier loss by ND could have made that a closer possibility.

And here comes Ken to spoil the party.

and Nish wins.

Now, it all depends on his nerves as to how far he goes now. I mean, he lost the 2014 final to Cilic. I LOVE Cilic, and no-one can take the win from him, but I think Nish is a better player. I find him a bit dull, though. I'm not sure why. He's in the same bracket as Berdych, for me. Always there. But not breaking into the top.

The updated draw has put Nish in the wrong bit, and totally confused me.(doesn't take a lot).

It must be frustrating to be a fan of Andy Murray.