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?

I mean, will any one admit to being an Andrew Castle fan?

I quite liked Andrew Castle as a player, but that's only because I didn't have to listen to him commentating

Drama

I have just read that Castle has a 22-57 win/loss record. He never won a single tournament. or came close. Though I did see him in Didsbury, but i can't remember what it was then. It had definitely been down graded from the Edberg/Sampras years.

That's not good.

Yet he is allowed to comment on other players.
I'd be insulted, as a player, to be criticised by him ..

TBH I can only really remember him turning up at Wimbledon occasionally and sometimes actually winning a few rounds. Probably would've been a better player if more tournaments were on grass.

Perhaps he knows his stuff technically, just wasn't too good at actually putting it into practice? clutches at straws

I watched the highlights of Rafa's match this evening, was such a good match.

Drama- it really was, and despite my obvious bias, could have gone either way. Rafa was very rattled in the early part of the second set, Pascal's umpiring decision's early on were a bit dubious( he is called the GOAT of umpires, but there are many players who disagree ) .

Sunday is going to be tense. And had better not last 5 hours.

curse you- build a fucking bear party

Serena Williams is the best by far, any way you look at it. Venus is back

I didn't watch the match, after the many hours I spent watching over the last few days, I thought I should do something useful today.

I can't get excited by Serena, although I know she's good. I would have liked Venus to win.

Even as a massive Rafa fan,I hope tomorrows match is less of a foregone conclusion. It's unlikely at this point. They have both performed beyond anyone's expectations. As a fan, I want to see a great match between probably two of the greatest rivals in the sport. ( Although the hth is heavily in Rafa's favour).

But he had an 11-0 record over Stan....

Needs to be over by 11.45 at the latest, though.

I am watching the so called 'highlights' boy what a snooze!
I have to admit I'm not excited about the mens either: I wish Dimitrov had squeaked through and maybe Stan too or Raonic (🐢 👦) to mix things up a bit.

I would be BESIDE myself with excitement if Raonic was in the final.

As it is it's pretty cool. I probably won't get to see any of the match live though unless it becomes another epic 5-set marathon. I am not getting up at 2.30am to watch

I would also love to have seen Raonic in the final. I really do think his time is very close indeed. But, he is one who has already been sidelined with injury before major tournaments, he needs to stay fit. I hope he does.

I'm very excited about tomorrow. But ( sorry hearts ) my nerves can't take a 5 hour epic, though a 3 hour match will be fine.

This is so exciting. I hope it is good.

Vamos Rafa.

But I also want it to be a good match for Roger too.
I'm for those of you without sky or Eurosport, that the beeb don't deem this important enough to show. They had a gap in the schedule, because they are repeating match of the day, ffs.

Fed has the first break. Eek.

And I find myself awake!

If I turn on the tv I am going to get sucked in and then tomorrow will be knackered. It's 4.04 here.

Morning all, First break fed = aargh, early days though.

As if more people want to see Murray than a Federer versus Nadal final. I'm listening to it via 5 live on the telly, so at least BBC radio has its priorities right. This is one of the few Sundays of the year I'm out of bed before 10 a.m.

Allez Roger!🎾

First set to Federer who is looking very fresh indeed. Hard to tell if Rafa is tired, I don't think he's usually affected by lengthy semi final matches.

Not panicking yet

Rafa breaks.

Nadal in control this set, bit more of a match now.
In a way I'm glad it's not on the BBC, it would still be all about Murray, even without him in it, they can't help themselves.

May have spoken too soon, as fed looks like he may break back. But Rafa had 2 breaks, so....

We've got Frew commentating, he's decided Roger has won already I think.

Rafa serving for the set.

1 set all.

Don't they know I have to go out at 12???

Come on Roger!

Whoever wins this set will probably win the match...

Eek!

Vamos