TENNIS THREAD- we're nearly done with the red dirt, and looking forward to the green grass!

[Raahh]

yesterday's excitement I didn't realise how near the end of the thread we were!

Raaah. I think I’ve done your usual trick. I’ve had access to the French open on Eurosport and not realised it.

I’ve got lots of catching up to do over the next few days.

rafa

I always double check everything these days!

I vaguely remember thinking I should check whether the French was on it at the start of last week. But that seems like a long time ago.

Given I’ve only just realised I haven’t had lunch yet I’m amazed I thought to check it today.

Haven’t seen any tennis today and not sure if I’ll see any tomorrow either.

So pleased for Delpo getting to the semis - he does seem like a really nice bloke.

Much as I like Delpo I think it will be Rafa/Thiem in the final. Unless chicken pulls off a big surprise. In a way I hope chicken doesn’t get to the final as inexperienced players usually get overwhelmed resulting in a one sided match.

Might see if I can watch some highlights - need to check out Rafa’s stubble

Private. There is no way I am sharing DelPo - he is mine, all mine!!

So sad that we are entering the last bits of Roland Garros. It's been so great - I don't want it to end.

Do wonder how Halep will cope with Sloane...............

magi we'll see about that!!

I think the women's will depend on Simona's nerves. I really want her to win this one and she deserves it so much, but no doubt that will all be weighing on her. And Sloane has been there, she's won a Slam, and she seems nerveless to me. I reckon it's 50/50? Should be a good match.

Raahh I love that story about Mahut/PHH. Really like both of them, hope they can win the title.

Also, I so wish Mahut had won that marathon match against Isner. Grrr!

Btw. Forecast for Sunday in Paris is thunderstorms! If they hold the final over til Monday I'll be gutted as I'll be in work!

Private I was watching Sloane serving for the match & she looked pretty nervy to me - but seemed to steady herself OK.

Realy hope the weather holds for Sunday - they've been so lucky this year.

Sloane looks like she couldn't care less most of the time. I'm sure that's not how she feels, it just looks that way.
I'm definitely rooting for a Simona win. I like how she plays the game, apart from the shrieking, whereas Sloane' s game just seems one dimensional to me.

On the mens side I'm not too fussed. I'd probably go for a Thiem overall win and Thiem - delPo in the final. Not that I particularly like delPo, although I hugely admire what he's done and was delighted when he made it back into the game. Unfortunately he looks very much like an acquaintance of mine who is a horrible man and I find it impossible not to shake that off every time I see him play
But I would like to see Rafa toppled (sorry Rafa fans). I've never liked his game style and the fact that it is successful annoys me. Bring back Edberg, Henman, Gasquet. Yes I know Gasquet is here - in a different era he would be a Grand Slam winner.

Look at today's order of Play for Court 1.

Marion BARTOLI (FRA) & Martina NAVRATILOVA (USA)
vs Iva MAJOLI (CRO) & Arantxa SANCHEZ (ESP)

Not before 1pm
Nathalie DECHY (FRA) & Amelie MAURESMO (FRA)
vs Tracy AUSTIN-HOLT (USA) & Lindsay DAVENPORT (USA)

Sebastien GROSJEAN (FRA) & Michael LLODRA (FRA)
vs James BLAKE (USA) & Mark PHILIPPOUSSIS (AUS)

Would love to see some of those matches.

I'd love to see Martina. I ❤️ Martina.

ferrier I think Henman should stick to commentary. He's good at that.

Spent a ridiculous amount of time on the sofa watching the semi-finals and left over men's matches yesterday. That's the only thing - they do take hours although the Women's were quite brisk.

Really hope Halep will win. She kept it together and she works so incredibly hard, it would be great to see her win finally.

The bits of the Cilic/DelPo match I saw were strangely lacking in emotion but glad to see DP win. Most looking forward to Thiem/Cecchinato match. Hope it will be a good contest.

Pronunciation Pedant's corner - surprised that Cecchinato is pronounced the way it is, thought it would be as in Chechnya not as in Czech. Maybe the "h" after makes the difference.

I think Ci is pronounced as Ch in Italian and the double c makes a k sound but that's the extent of my knowledge. I think we should stick with Chickenato

Madonna Ciccone is Chickony for example

Every time I see Chechnya I go all Bridget Jones. I'm raving now...

I am really looking forward to today.

I like Thiem, but I have loved the Chickenato story ( especially beating Djok)- whether he can sustain it remains to be seen.

It's been a while since Rafa and Delpo have met on clay. Rafa ought to have the edge , but Delpo has the serve.

Bit worried about the weather forecast for Sunday.

I really want Halep to win tomorrow. I hope her nerves don't take over and she doesn't start to beat herself up. I've never warmed to Sloane. I wanted Keys to win. But it would be huge for Simona to finally win tomorrow.

Jane

Ooh I hadn't heard that story about Chicken and the match fixing allegations.

I know- he successfully appealed them though, didn't he?

I nearly missed the beginning of this. Was thinking 1pm UK time, not France. .

I am intrigued how Dom keeps his shorts so white with all that red clay. He should get sponsored by Daz.

It's a mystery Jane ! I remember watching Boris Becker at Wimbledon (ancient) and he was diving all over the place for volleys, and the commentator tutting at the state of his shorts and saying "well there's more laundry for Mrs Becker" - even at age 11 or whatever, I remember thinking how sexist that was, to say his mum would be doing his washing!! Regardless of the fact her son had won Wimbledon!!

Wow this tie-break is all over the place!

Private I was so happy when Boris won Wimbledon, he's a year older than me and it was great to have a teenager win (more ancient).

Exciting tie-break.