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)

I may not have such a soft spot for Thiem if he wins against Rafa tomorrow (just about forgave him for Rome!) but on current form don’t think that will happen again.

Dom will have to play a lot better than he has his last 2 matches if h'es to beat Rafa. I'm not saying he can't, but I can't see Rafa losing to him at the moment.
I've jinxed it now haven't I ?

I do agree Fizzy though. He's not playing at the level he was last year. Clay is his surface, but he hasn't seemed as sure of the win. I really thought Coric would win today.

Hope you haven’t jinxed Rafa Raahh! I’m hoping that I’ll be home from work in time to watch it think it’s on at 4pm unless sky decide not to bother showing it.

My DH has just asked if I want to go for a drink after work - is it bad that I want to watch the tennis?

Would also like to see the Kyle Edmund match - not seen him play this week - hope he continues his good run.

I hope I haven't jinxed him too! Fizzy.

Once RG starts, it's the start of the 6/7 weeks where I am able to actually watch- and I get really annoyed when pesky things like the dc and school runs get in the way.

RG is good, because of the time difference, the tv schedule starts 'early'- , I can get a good few hours in . I am not ashamed of my couch potato ways .

The dog hates it. He knows he has to wait til a break in the matches to get a walk

Anderson is through- so it will be a repeat of the US open final in the SF here, if Rafa beats Dom. And a repeat of that match, on clay, won't be something Kevin is hoping for, I expect.

Yes I get annoyed when real life (especially work!) gets in the way of my tennis viewing!

My DCs are older so I don’t have to do school run any more but they usually want feeding at some point

I usually turn into a couch potato for the Wimbledon fortnight. This year I’ve booked our family holiday for the second week of Wimbledon - not sure what I was thinking!

Although we are going to Mallorca - might see Rafa on his boat if he doesn’t go all the way to the final

Thiem’s looking like he means business and playing well.

Thiem’s broken Rafa’s serve - eek

I know- I just got chance to check the scores. if he loses this set at least he still has the record.

But vamos!

damn. I'd just gone shopping when Rafa drew level. I hoped he'd have the set.

Dom is clearly playing a lot better today ( or Rafa, worse!)

vamos

Yes Thiem definitely playing better - he seems really fired up. Rafa is making some errors but could be because Thiem is playing so well.

Back on serve now in the second set - should have gone to the pub! I’m getting that nervy feeling

I can only see the scores, and am not sure if Rafa's serve has deserted him. never his strong point at the best of times...

although Dom also has a few double faults.

thanks Fizzy.

I have a nervous feeling.and I'm not even watching

Damn think Rafa is out here....

Oh crap.

All good things come to an end, I guess. He lost to Dom at the same stage in Rome last year. QF's against Thiem are not a good thing for Rafa.

Not looking forward to the Roger fans online though. Roger will go back to number 1 now (which seems to matter a lot more to him than it does to Rafa ).

But there are points to be gained in Rome. Onwards and upwards.

I knew he would beat him!

Rafa never really seemed in the match and Thiem really up for it - was like Rome 17 again. Oh well hopefully Rafa will do better in Rome next week.

Will be cheering Kyle on next.

I can concentrate on Eurovision now Jane.

But yes- come on Kyle!

No shame in losing to Thiem really- it's his main surface, after all.

Maybe Rafa needs a few days off.

Well it's good for him to have some real competition. I'm trying to look on the bright side! I like Dom so if anyone was going to beat him I'm glad it was him.

Jane- same. I'd have been much less happy if he'd lost to Nish or Djok!

Oh yes Raahh apparently Ireland are third fave to win! Unbelievable

I wish I had put a bet on Dom because I predicted it yesterday. Now who's going to win Eurovision??

Jane I really don't get the love for the Irish song. I think the recent flurry of betting has been fuelled by the China controversy, rather than because it's any good.

And I want Denmark to win.

Or Albania

Just read an interesting fact( I do love a stat )- Dom now becomes only the 3rd player to have beaten Rafa on clay, 3 (or more) times. The others are Djok and Gaudio.

Rafa has(now) only ever lost 36 matches on clay in his career (having won 400) so to be in the '3' club is impressive. .