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)

Not really a Eurovision fan - think I’ll stick to tennis

Well, just seen the draw for Rome. Rafa and Dom could meet in the QF again there.

Kyle has lost the first set against Denis...

Oh fizzy you are missing out

Checking in!

Season also starts for me with RG as can see it on TV.

hello! magi

still sad about Rafa, but as seasons go this is far from the worst he's ever had ( and Madrid is the tournament he's had least success on , out of the clay ones) so it's not bad.

shame for Kyle- looks like he put up a good fight.

Could be heading for a Thiem/ Zverev final, which would be very interesting. But Zverev faces Shapovalov, who is playing well. As is Kevin Anderson. Someone new is going to get their name on the trophy in Madrid, come what may.

Checking in!

I was too shocked at Delpo 's ridiculous loss to talk about tennis the last few days...

I agree Raahh - Zverev/Thiem would be a good final...

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To be fair to Juan, clay isn't his surface. you'd think it should be, but he's much happier on hard courts.

He might do better next week. I hope so.

Yes, it's odd isn't it? He should have won that match though.

If you have facebook, tennis tv has some clips of yesterday's match between Rafa and Thiem. I know it might make painful watching for Rafa fans, but some of the rallies are amazing!

Thiem is a good clay player- he clearly upped his game against Rafa (which you'd have to, wouldn't you)- hopefully he will go on to win a few tournaments on the surface as Rafa naturally winds down over the next few years.

Rafa was (as usual) very generous about him afterwards.

I read that the altitude is a problem for some players in Madrid- Rafa included- which is why he plays better when he is in Monte Carlo or Paris.

(Of course , winning the tournament 5 times isn't 'bad' and most players would be thrilled with that- but it's less than his other clay titles )

Yes I’d heard that the altitude in Madrid didn’t suit Rafa’s game. It was good to see a competitive game involving Rafa even though the outcome wasn’t what I would have liked.

Yes would like to see Thiem win a couple of tournaments - he showed such promise on clay last year.

Graham norton on R2 has been playing Eurovision songs non stop I do like a bit of ABBA though.

Can't beat a bit of Abba!

Looks like Thiem will be in the final - I didn't really think Kevin would be a match for him. (Wouldn't have been for Rafa either).

Zverev match on later. Match up of the young guns- could be close.

You’re probably all on the Eurovision thread but it’s Thiem/Zverev in the final - hopefully it will be a good competitive match. Good to see some of the youngsters coming through - Rafa and Roger can’t go on forever!

I am actually watching Eurovision - it’s scary!

Fizzy

I'm quite glad to see Dom and Sascha in the final, it's a good match up.

Eurovision was not good. The song I really didn't want to win , did. .

Thanks for the update Fizzy. Should be a good final.

I've just sen Petra Kvitova won the women's final in Madrid yesterday. I'm really pleased for her- I like Kvitova,

Me too Raahh - I think she's amazing especially after everything she has been through. Plus I love lefty players, usually so talented and good to watch.

She went through so much (I think maybe last year she tried to come back a bit soon?) and she's really on a roll at the moment. She always seems so down to earth too.

And I definitely agree about lefty players .

Yy I don't want to jinx her but she would be looking good for another Wimbledon I reckon, with Serena possibly still out/coming back. I've probably cursed her now though...

I've been cursing everyone lately

I think tonight's match is fairly even on paper- both are good on clay, Zverev is going into Rome as defending champion. In the absence of Rafa, it's the best match up for the final, I think.

Yes I'm looking forward to it too.

Zverev got an early break - he’s looking more confident than Thiem. Thiem seems quite nervous and looks a different player from when he be beat Rafa in the quarters.

Not looking good for Dom.

Stan has been beaten in Rome

No it’s not looking good for Thiem.

What happened to Stan in Rome jane ?