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?

So hot and yet Serena has extra black sleeves on.

Beautiful Rafa!

One more

Was very glad to wake up earlier to easy wins for Rafa and Milos.

Great pictures saffron- hope you had a good time.

Saw the end of Thiem's match. He looked very sweaty.

I've got all the matches recorded, so might watch Rafa when I come back from taking the kids to school.

fairly easy win for Djok- Verdasco is very dangerous as a 'floater' in the draw, and not seeded. It could have gone the way Rafa went last year. But Djok is clearly starting 2017, as he started 2016.

Karlovic and Zeballos are involved in an epic. And on a court that looks dark on the tv, like a squash court. Zeballos is wearing a hideous shirt as well. 80's inspired geographic prints appear to be 'in'

It has reminded me that Del Potro isn't playing, seeing Zeballos, and that makes me sad.

Shame for Naomi Broady. It was a very tough match, and very close. 19 aces, too.

Raonic is so adorable. Great start to his match, lets hope he can stop Dustin. 🇨🇦

Although I love Dustin's style of tennis and I love seeing a guy with dreadlocks playing tennis. He is definitely one of the more interesting and colourful characters on the tour.

I've just realised this couldnt possibly be live, it's 5:15 AM in Melbourne right now!!

So no spoilers please

That was supposed to be a Canadian flag

The Aussie commentator keeps calling him Ray-On-Itch and it's driving me crazy.

Haven't managed to watch any tennis because of new puppy taking all my attention despite leaving the TV on all day. Could hear all the groaning from Serena's match though

hearts there was definitely a flag there earlier! I'm sure!

I like Milos, he is my ' one to root for' during Rafa absences. I like how he has progressed over the years. And I much prefer his hair ruffled, and not slicked down. I hope this is the year he is able to win big.

I watched the Zverev-Haase match last night, which was pretty lacking, really. I know Zverev can play, but last night he seemed awfully adolescent once he fell behind. It was very lucky for him that Haase melted down so comprehensively.

So many fans on the tennis forums I read have been salivating at the thought of a potential 3rd round between Zverev and Nadal, but I have to wonder.... Or does Zverev only play to his potential against Fed?

I feel left out that I can't join in the Milos lovefest he reminds me of a Playmobil figure, which ought to make me warm to him, but doesn't but if he wins his quarterfinal, I may change my tune.

Most of Wednesday's more interesting match-ups seem to be taking place after my bedtime, but I will stay up to watch Fed if I can. The other half of the draw has had more appealing pairings so far.

Did anyone happen to see Gilles Mueller's trophy presentation speech from the weekend? It was quite touching: that was his very first trophy, and his little boys were there to see him. You sometimes forget (amidst the horrible antics and shoddy attitudes of some players) that winning actually does matter to professionals. I'll be pulling for him now when possible (whereas I used to kind of mock him for that 70s headband).

Just an hour 'til play commences!

I was up earlier, catchng up with the earlier matches. The dds go to breakfast club on a Wednesday, so I caught the beginning of the Kyrgios match before I left. The commentators were annoying me. I don't think I will ever take to Kyrgios. I was really hopinf for a Seppi upset .

I like Zverev, but I don't think he has the game to match Rafa at the moment, (even with Rafa not being the player he once was)- over 5 sets. Best of 3, he might stand more of a chance. But over 5? Not so sure. Of course, upsets happen, but I can't really see it, Hope not anyway Rafa, obviously has to win his second round match first though.

Evans a set down against Cilic- but I love Marin. So, I would be delighted to see him progress. Even if he no longer has Goran in his camp. But he does have Bjorkman, and it's always nice to see him too.

Come on Seppi!!

Kyrgios brings a new dimension to petulance, doesn't he?

I cannot stand him. Sweary sod. and the commentators are still talking about him like a troubled chld who just needs someone to stroke his hair.

Bollocks to that. His attitude in matches sucks.

He pretty much threw a set to conserve energy- he knows it, Mary Pierce knows it. It's disrespectful to his opponent.

Just discussing if DH will have to report me for being unaustralian for supporting seppi.

There is a lot of apologising for language over at the Cilic/ Evans match too.

saffron- no-one would blame you, ever.

yay! Seppi! What is most annoying now, is McEnroe is still talking about Kyrgios. He lost. He does this all the time. Stop making excuses for him.

Evans has pulled through- am a little sad for Cilic, as I do really like him.

Bit of baby news , because I hadn't realised that Victoria Azarenka had already had her baby. She had a little boy on the 20th December, and his name is Leo. same as one of Fed's boys? So, that's nice. Congratulations to her.

Aw, lovely news for Azarenka.

So pleased for Evans and Seppi, and very glad Andy is through.

Haven't seen anything, of course. I want the Beeb to get the rights, please and thank you.