*TENNIS THREAD CLAY IS ON THE WAY !*

[MrsVamos]

Hello Lovelies.

Marking place.

Oh yes, they said something earlier about there being a different audience for the second semi final.

Grouchy yes, I think they are following the way Australia/US do it- where matches are starting times of 'not before x time'. Suppose they were confident about the weather then- no possibility of playing under a roof at RG.

Mind you, I think the US Open schedule is entirely planned with the tv in mind, rather the the players. And Aus, with matches finishing in the early hours.

I love how Fabrice says 'Overhead'

I might actually end up missing most of this match, as I might have to go out.

Rafa's serve appears to have gone walkabout. It's a weak link in his game, but it had improved a bit.

Blimey- they are whacking the ball hard.

Yy Raahh. And I had to turn down the volume because their grunting is so loud.

Did the commentator just say that was the first set Thiem has dropped this tournament?

First set Rafa. Thiem playing well though.

Grouchy it probably is. He's had a great tournament. Rafa hasn't lost one either (I know Carreno Busta retired, but Rafa didn't look threatened).

That is not always good going into a final- Stan, having had such a hard fought semi final, might be a bit more fired up.

Dom is looking tired already.

I just said to DH that Thiem is not looking as freshly minted as he was at the start! Rafa always looks like he's in some kind of titanic gladiatorial battle even at the coin toss, never mind nineteen games in.

I think Rafa is having to work much harder than the scoreline suggests - so I am hoping that he will be equally fired up if he goes through to the final. Thiem is making him work for every game.

theonly at nearly an hour a set so far, it's not been easy . But this last set might be quicker, if Dom doesn't get a bit of ooomph back.

And I'm pretty sure Rafa will go into the final as he does every match. Every point even. To win it. He never underestimates opponents, or believes it will be a walkover.

The only only thing that might be on his mind is the 2014 Aussie final. But this is on clay- and whilst Stan has won here, Rafa has to be the favourite.

And the main reason I call Dom, Dom, is I always have to check where the 'i' and 'e' go in Thiem. So I avoid it.

It's the same reason I often refer to 'my sister's daughter' instead of niece.
As I get older, I have a mental block with spelling the easiest things

Dom has given up a bit now.

DH and I were saying the same: what makes Rafa and Federer stand out is their refusal to "check out" when a game is not going their way. They fight for every point right til the end.

A Rafa/ Stan final is going to be great.

Looking forward to it!

I don't know If I will see all of the women's final, seems how long it will last . I would love Halep to win.

*it depends how long it will last.

Hot today

It does look very hot. And I was going to say not as windy- then I saw the flags. . Don't think the wind is a big a factor as yesterday though.

And I've just heard the commentator complain they are wearing the same outfit. How does he cope with Wimbledon, ffs??

Ostapenko is helpfully wearing a green headband for him, if he really is struggling

A couple of years ago, it seemed to be the big issue, all the players wearing similar stuff. I really didn't understand it. Surely they recognise the players after all these years ?

This match is very back and forth.

Ostapenko has amazing power when she hits the ball.

But - come on Halep!

I feel very sorry for Halep, it was much better than 2014 but Ostapenko was amazing.

Was a really good match but I was rooting for Halep. Hope that Ostapenko deals with the sudden fame ok, as Mugarutha doesn't seem to be coping well after her win