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)

Herbert is very cute.

Isner dresses like a 17 year old college kid even though he's in his 30s.

jane I don't think there was any.

and Azarenka came back, last year, quietly, no fuss. She's had a hell of a time with custody battles too.

Herbert is doing so well in this set. Isner is annoying me. He will win if it goes to a tie break though. It's really how he wins most things, off his serve. I'm not a fan.

Herbert is obviously a very good doubles player. I'd love to see him win this. Unlikely though.

Also Isner has beaten Delpo fairly recently - that next round could be a close call if Isner gets through (not watching, but presume he will?)

I really like Azarenka. I hope she can sustain a quiet, solid comeback.

I really like Azarenka too- she's been through a lot, and took time off tour to deal with it. She's been really dignified during the whole thing. I hop she manages a come back.

Isner sadly did get through. He bores me. I'd love Del po to beat him. On a good day, Juan has the serve, but clay is far from best surface. I I just hate how Isner matches invariably end up in tie breaks.

Same here Raahh. I see Isner went through. A few big servers left (well ok, Isner and Anderson) as well as crafty Goffin, Schwartzman etc. I know which style I prefer to watch (ie crafty)!

X-post Raahh! Agree re next round...

I'd love someone like Schwartzman to go far- however 'diminutive' Petchey thinks he is. He is so great to watch- and I loved how Goffin dealt with Monfils (who I do usually like) , he wasn't phased by him, and his antics today.

Re Djokovic, In Rafa's autobiography he says how when he did the tantrum thing as a teen-ager, uncle Toni just took the racket away from him and said he was lucky to play tennis and if he didn't want to, he should just pack in.
Now if he's annoyed, he just gives the look!

Monday will be v interesting with Serena v Maria.

I liked Fognini speaking French

amiga see, that's how to deal with it.

And they can't even blame age- there is less than a year between Rafa/ Djok/Murray- but the behaviour on court is often vastly different.

Does anyone think Fognini could/will beat Cilic? I do, and I also think Verdasco will beat Djokovic. Hope I haven't put the jinx on Nando.

Thiem-Nishikori could be good too.

Serena v Maria. In theory I don't want either to win.

But I'm so sick of the pro Serena lobby, that I will have to go Maria this time. For my sanity.

I would love to see Verdasco beat Djok. It's a big ask, but you never know. Novak hasn't played that many matches year, and he is still a bit vulnerable.

Thiem /Nish is closer, both are very good on clay, although Kei has had recent injuries. I'm hoping for a Dom win.

I'm not sure about Foggy /Cilic- I don't see Marin as a natural clay court player, but Foggy can be so unpredictable.

Didn't get to see any more tennis - I was outvoted and the footy won

I like the idea of Novak having a “how to be a human” notebook ThOnly

Hoping that verdasco can beat him tomorrow - think djok is still quite vulnerable.

Not sure I can imagine Andy Murray in a catsuit - maybe for Sports Relief?

While the Serena sycophancy is frustrating, I can’t support Sharapova after her doping ban. I’ve just read an article which suggests she has been playing the system for her whole career in that sense.

On the other hand, Serena spoke out in praise of Mike Tyson who I have despised ever since his rape conviction.

So, yes - actually, I don’t support either of them.

I'd like to see

Verdasco win but not sure he has the mental stamina for another big win. I think of him as an occasional flash in the pan but I do like the way he plays.

Foggy of course. But Maran has really developed his game these last few years. He's not just a big serve any more. He's got quite an assertive baseline game. But he can be a bit vulnerable. If Foggy can get under his skin a bit he can do it. All this depends on Foggy getting out of bed happy of course.

Shrieky to best Serena. I really don't want to see that catsuit any more!

Isner to beat delPo (sorry). I did admire him when he came back from.the long injury but I'm getting bored of the sycophantic commentary regarding him now.

I'd quite like Nishikori to beat Thiem too but I think that's unlikely.

Verdasco, Maran, DelPo to win & I really don't care too much re Serena/Shrieky. Hope they both lose!!

magi may be they could run into each other, cartoon style and both end up flat on the floor? I could cope with that.

With you magi

Yes - thats a good solution for Serena/Shazza as I don't want either to win.
Not sure who I do want to win actually. Not Garbine as I find her too grumpy. Probably Simona out of the ones with a chance.

and happy birthday Rafa!