TENNIS THREAD - The clay season is in full swing, and it's onwards to Roland Garros!

[Raahh]

Shiny new thread.

Hopefully we will see some players return from injury in the next few weeks.

Munich/Istanbul in play this week amongst other tournaments.

Madrid week beginning the 7th (hopefully with Delpo playing)

and Delpo won his first set.

Delpo looking a lot more comfortable on the clay than his results so far this season have suggested he has been.

Delpo is playing the best he has for ages here. Would he meet Rafa before the semis if they both made it that far?
We have yet another thunderstorm here, wish this weather would move away...though not in the direction of Paris preferably

Don't think they would meet before the semis. I can't see DelPotro getting that far.

Because of Serena's outfit I feel like I'm watching her practise not play!

Serena’s outfit puts me about - dread to think what she will wear at Wimbledon - don’t think I could cope with a white version.

I have just seen Serena's outfit. My, that is tight!

The Williams/Barty match is pretty entertaining if you can get past the outfit

The crowd are doing the Mexican wave . They sound a bit rowdy but it is 9.00pm in Paris.

Marion Bartoli is so sycophantic when it comes to Serena - it really biases her commentary.

I agree magi. I wish they wouldn't have her commentate on those matches.

I've really gone off Marion over the last few years because of the way she fawns all over Serena. It really gets on my nerves. we get it, they are friends, but really she needs to wind it in a bit.

I mentioned Ann White' s white jumpsuit upthread ( which was banned after she wore it at Wimbledon) , so I'm hoping Serena won't have a white version of hers. But of course, she's Serena. And if she can prove there is a medical reason for her to wear it, what can they do ? But it would look awful.

Not sure how much I will see today. Taking the dog to the groomer and have a bit of and in and out kind of day til later on. Yesterday I could barely stay awake!

looking at the order of play Goffin/Monfils should be good, and Verdasco/Dimitrov. I don't think Grigor is as sharp as he could be and Verdasco is very capable of an upset.

I can't believe it's the 1st of June. The year is flying by.

I think if Verdasco gets off to a good start he can beat Dimitrov. Grigor seems to be taking a while to get into his stride lately.

Well, I was right about Verdasco- Grigot could be in real trouble here. Verdasco is a grafter over 5 sets. But, looking ahead, the winner of this players the winner of the Djok match- who has the better chance against him? (But I'm not really discounting Bautista- Agut, especially with Djok still finding his form.)

Just noticed that Zverev is beind now in his match against Dzumhur- he seemed quite in control when I left!

Grigor

Funny clip of Delpo press conference here video.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/french-open/2018/because-i-googled-it-juan-martin-del-potro-has-all-the-answers-in-press-conference_vid1095607/video.shtml

Verdasco a good bet against anyone on clay - except Rafa of course...

Private he is . I would love to see him win this match.

I read that earlier- he's so lovely- and very honest . Sounds like they are having some fun at the press conferences this year.

I also saw a lovely picture of Djok with Serena's baby daughter, his daughter was born the day before (or after, I forget which). Some loon had asked him in a press conference if it was as hard for fathers to come back to the tour as it was for mothers. I think he gave the interviewer short shrift, and good on him, really. How can it possibly be the same??

I also would like to see verdasco win but I think Grigor has just broken back.

Verdasco wins!

I must admit, thought it would be a bit closer, but Grigor really wasn't in that match, and Verdasco played really well.

Or maybe not, my app was way behind there, verdasco just won :)

Zverev has broken back to even things in the 4th set, but he still looks in a bit of trouble.

Dzumhur is playing some very good tennis, and not letting Zverev have it his way at all.

I wish they would show some of the press conferences on TV between matches instead of talking nonsense.

Zverev has to keep coming in- Dzumir was beating him fromthe baseline.

Dzumhir is going to rue his chances if this goes to a fifth set and e blows it. He's had match points.

I think the nerves may have got to him.