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)

Have a lovely day, Fizzy.

They're talking about how Fognini doesn't like playing first thing in the morning and kicked up a fuss about it. It's midday in Rome and I thought I was bad in the morning.

Jane it's hardly the crack of dawn, is it?

Only just getting the chance to catch up with the scores.. Hoping Juan can even things up. Taking Rafa nearly as long to get the set here as it took to win the match yesterday!

and I've just seen Juan has retired.

Much more straightforward second second set.

Shame about Kyle, he certainly didn't go down without a fight.

I didn't realise Marian Vajda was back coaching Djokovic.

I'm guessing it's pretty newjane, might be a good thing for him though, some consistency.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes - I’ve only just got home and not watched any tennis!

I’ve kept an eye on the scores though - why did Delpo retire - was he injured?

Shame about Kyle but sounds as if he played well.

I’m definitely watching tennis tomorrow - looking forward to Rafa v foggy - hope he manages to get out of bed in time

Poor Juan, such a shame he's being hampered by injury yet again
Just saw Novak has won too, good couple of results for him.
Tomorrow's matches are looking good.

I hope you've had a good day Fizzy?

JMDP looked so slow all through that match - he kind of always looks like that, I know - but he had an injury time out and then when he was running for a big forehand, he just pulled up. I've just seen that he's going to take a decision on the French Open tomorrow really hope it's nothing serious.

I didn't seen Kyle Edmund but sounds like he gave it a good shot.

Been laughing at Fognini's "early start" of 12 noon!! I can relate!

Yes I did have a nice day thank you lady. It’s my DMs birthday today as well so we usually do something together on our birthday. I just didn’t expect to be home so late and thought that I might have seen a bit of tennis. My DM is also a Rafa fan .

I’m also off work tomorrow so will hopefully get to watch the Rafa match.

Just saw that Delpo had a groin injury - such a shame - he doesn’t seem to have much luck with his injuries

Poor Juan

Some good matches today- and they are interesting because of what they might produce in the next round. Djok/Rafa match up has been avoided so far been avoided since it was meant to happen in Monte Carlo.

Will depend on which Foggy turns up and whether Nish is on form. He's capable of an upset if he is.

not sure why I typed that twice

Glad to hear you DM is another team Rafa member Fizzy
Not sure which fog will turn up today but fingers crossed for Rafa.
Djokovic apparently looked much better yesterday.....

Just been reading about Juan and his groin injury. It might be best if he skipped RG (not that I want him to), and focused on the grass season. He's good on grass, (though he didn't have a good season last year)and It will give him a few weeks to recover. His ranking at the moment is solid enough, that even if he skips RG (where he isn't defending much), he will get a good draw/seeding at Wimbledon. And he's signed up to Queen's as well, I think.

Yay I’m finally getting to watch some tennis! Foggy has managed to get out of the bed and the atmosphere seems pretty lively in Rome already. Hoping for a good match with Rafa coming out on top.

Yes Raahh it might be best for Delpo to miss RG and be hopefully fit for the grass court season. I feel really sorry for him with his injuries and hope that he does manage to come back and fulfil his potential.

A Djokovic/Rafa semi would be an interesting prospect but I don’t want to get ahead of myself...

Poor Fognini has the early start again

Rafa is looking fierce!

I love Fabio's shirt. Reminds me of Elvis' Taking Care of Business logo.

The commentators were saying that fognini had been strutting round the changing rooms like Jonny depp!

I quite like his bad boy skull and crossbones headband.

It’s a pretty good match so far - good shots from both players.

See, this is why I need this thread, to fill me in on what they are wearing (wearing important) whilst I check the scores online ).

I am not liking the way this match is going- another QF, and a break of serve down.

Vamos Rafa!

Crap.

Right- come on Rafa- if he loses this, the media will have a field day probably, and decide his career is on the slide...