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)

He was beaten in straight sets Fizzy. Hope he does better at the French.

Poor Stan I hope he's not another we might not see again.

I'm surprised it wasn't closer, the Thiem/Zverev match- but Sascha has matured a lot this year, maybe already having a masters in the bag gave him more confidence.

He is a bit inconsistent though- and that's where they don't have what Nadal has always had, the stamina to go from one tournament to another for 2 months solid- winning. Zverev won in Rome last year, and promptly lost early in RG.

Well that was disappointing I was expected Thiem to do much better, seems it was quite easy for zverev.
Anyone know what's up with Stan? Is he still injured?

Thiem was struck by the curse of Rafa - whoever beats him usually loses in the next round

Sad about Stan, such a great player - I think he's just still coming back from injury AFAIK.

Private that is so true. Especially at Wimbledon.

Did Stan have knee surgery? He was having such a good run before he went out injured last year too. US open winner/Aus SF/French SF.

So many injured players.

Ooh, Djok is playing Dolgopolov tomorrow.

Clay is not necessarily Dogs' best surface,(though he has won a couple of clay tournaments, iirc) but given Novak's form of late, he's got to fancy his chances.

And Fognini is playing Monfils- now that's a match I wish I could watch , both can be somewhat unpredictable.

Can't wait to see the Dog. I love him.

I hadn’t realised the Rome tournament had started already - poor Stan - it is a shame that so many players are injured.

Fognini v monfils should be an interesting one.

Not sure what happened to Thiem in the final - he must have used all his energy beating Rafa. I think a lot of players raise their game to try to beat someone like Rafa but then can’t sustain it for the rest of the tournament.

Stan was saying in his interview that he is pleased with how his knee is doing but he just hasn't played so his fitness and movement isn't what he needs them to be.
Fingers crossed he can recover if not in time for RG then Wimbledon.

lady I hope so. He brings a bit of un-ironed charm to the tour that is missing. (He always manages to look like he's just got out of bed )

I love that about Stan.
The Djokovic match could be interesting today...

lady I know- I really wish I could see it. I love Dogs- and I think at the moment anyone has a chance against Novak. What another early loss could do to Novak though, I'm not sure .

I like Dogs too but I'm not sure who I want to win today, as you say not sure what another early loss will do to Novak.
I want him to be able to retire on his own terms rather than just simply not be able to compete anymore due to injury.....and I fear it could be heading that way.

lady me too. I've never been a fan, but he is still one of the best players ever. It would be a shame if he kept plodding like this , and was remembered for all his losses (and the media are fickle- the way they go on about Rafa every Wimbledon, and his early losses in recent years, proves that).

So if Deliciano is going to be director of Madrid next year will he still play and if he wins will he present himself with the trophy?

Jane good question

At the moment. I'm checking the scores and hoping he will beat Nish.

Kei has just taken the first set

Damn

Djok off to a flying start.
Come on Dogs!
I am sat in my car checking the scores. it's gone a bit warm.

Morning all,
Shame for Dogs yesterday but it didn't seem like he ever got started.
The Berdych match should be good today.

Well, so far, the Berdych match looks like a topsy turvy affair.

Happy Birthday, Andy Murray, btw. May 31 be a better year (in a career sense) than 30. Though I'm sure having a new daughter was a highlight last year. Same for Djok, really.

Closer in the 3rd, then.

Well. Denis won. And from a good start, looks like Goffin has lost his first set. He needs a good run here, to boost his confidence really.