TENNIS THREAD- and it's the US OPEN already! where is 2017 going??

[Raahh]

New thread ,as we are very close to the end of the other.

I'm in denial that it is nearly September.

I am looking forward to Flushing Meadows. I feels like ages ages since I was able to 'watch' any tennis.

Raahh - I’m glad: I hoped it made sense but it’s very early!

Can’t call it between Rafa and Cilic. Rafa's injuries are never far below the surface and Cilic is a mighty strong player when on form.

I can’t see Kyle beating either of them in a semi - I think experience will tell in the end plus either Rafa’s dogged refusal to yield even a single point easily or Cilic’s power.

I wish it was easier to see even just highlights on TV - the 5live broadcast of the match on the BBC website cut out as Edmund was at 30 all in the final game of the match! Unbelievable.

majestic not sure where you are but there is a tennis highlights programme on bbc2 today at 4.45pm.

I’ve got the house to myself so just settled down to watch Rafa/Cilic - I’m ignoring the laundry, cleaning and food shopping that needs to be done

Going with serve for now.

On the one day I want to come early from school , I end up stuck at school, and then had to go shopping.

Any way- here. now.

Rafa always takes a while to get going in trickier matches, so not worried.

Am very fond of Cilic, though. And I still feel very sorry for him, with the way Wimbledon went for him. Blisters are no fun, when you have feet his size, I'm sure. And on a stage like Wimbledon, against Roger McSmug, must have made it even worse.

Rafa did beat Marin twice last year though.

This could be a long morning.

I hate listening to Mac commentating sometimes , he rally does talk rubbish

Arghhh! my virgin box keeps going off!!

I hate virgin!

Yes Raahh he does witter on a bit! He was rambling on about tiddlywinks earlier.

Can’t believe that Cilic got a time warning.

Poor Marin always looks as if he’s got the troubles of the world on his shoulders. Hope he manages to make it into a bit more of a match. It’s not very often that I get chance to watch uninterrupted tennis.

I have had to turn my box on and off again

Annoying.

I get wound up by Mac mispronouncing names most days. He seems to be capable of getting Cilic and Nadal right, at least. Mostly. .

Looks like we're heading for a set a piece.

Need to put the kettle on.

My tv is still playing up.

Nadal has won one Australian open ? And they are talking like that is a bad thing. Would they be wittering like that if Murray was playing and he has lost in 5 finals?! Idiots.

*only

Raahhdog will be unimpressed if this goes to 5 sets.

Not sure if my nerves will like it either.

but it's too cold to go out at the moment anyway...

Yes I could do with Rafa wrapping this up in 4 sets - it feels weird just sitting watching tennis - I should just enjoy it really but I’ve got quite a lot to do and I’m back at work tomorrow

I was going to say Cilic seems the calmer- but now he's served a double fault.

I do like a good 5 set match though- just not when Rafa is involved

Phew!

my tv has gone again. Think there is a fault in the area. So I'm stuck watch the scores on my phone at the crucial Bit. Doesn't seem to be affecting the internet, just the tv...

Not a happy camper.

Oh dear sorry to hear that Raahh although our sky Eurosport did go off for a bit earlier on but seems ok now.

I’ve come to the (rather late!) conclusion that I don’t really like watching Rafa play (unless he’s winning easily) - I feel a bit restless and nervy.

Not sure how it’s going to end if it goes to a fifth set - oh no trainer on for Rafa

Rafa’s having the top of his thigh massaged - looks quite intimate

Well- my tv is back on.

And it's all going wrong for Rafa.

I hope Rafa isn't too injured. And i don't like the fact Mac seems quite pleased about Rafa's injury (but then it always seemsvwhen he's commentating that he isn't a fan, imo).

Into a fifth set now and Rafa is limping

Right come on now Cilic- remember I said I felt sorry for you during Wimbledon? Remember how that felt when you were the injured party...

I'm not convinced Rafa can turn this around. But then, I wasn't sure that Rafa would get this far in the tourmament.

And I'm cross that Roger has had such a bloody easy ride so far.

not the way to end it.

Damn.

Poor Rafa - such a sad way for it to finish. I do like Cilic though. Hope that Rafa not too injured.

I'd like Cilic to win another slam - then people wouldn't think his US open win was a fluke. But It's a big chance for Kyle now.

I'm really hoping Berdych can pull off a big upset- though I usually find him pretty dull. It's very unlikely though. I'm finding the whole FedBot revival all a bit too easy. He needs to experience a blip. .

I really hope Rafa isn't too injured. But he was knackered by the end of last year- and the way he plays, which is far more physical, than the way Fed plays for example, it's not surprising his body is rebelling. I just hope this loss doesn't affect him mentally, the way losing to Stan did in 2014.

Rafa stays at number 1 though- even if Roger wins. Which I'm sure Fed fans will moan about as they did when Roger decided to skip Paris, and Rafa secured the year end number one by being able to play a couple of matches.

Anyway- had a call back from Virgin, who have said the faults in the area should stop now. Just as I am about to take the dog out.

So thanks for that.

Going to be a late night for tennis fans in Melbourne though.

I hope Wozniacki wins this.