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!

The crowd should gee DelPotro up a bit. There's not much atmosphere.

Delpo can play so much better than this... even against Rafa on clay. Not sure what's up with him.

The atmosphere is a bit flat- which is unusual for a match featuring both of them, really. It started off o.k. Maybe it's because it feels a bit inevitable? I think everyone expected more from Delpo because he's got this far.

Thanks raahh
Rafa is looking scarily good, but Del Potro looks completely at a loss.

I agree everyone looks a little bored. Think everyone was expecting this to be much closer.

Maybe it's a bit muggy on Chartrier, the crowd have probably had a long lunch and all want to go to sleep. .

I'm feeling a bit sleepy myself sitting here. Better get dinner on soon.

Well, since I was ill, my lot have suddenly learnt how to fend for themselves , and ds is making tacos. .

Rafa is making hard work out of serving out this match.

Poor Juan. I do feel for him. For he has really done a lot better than I expected he would.

Vamos !

Wasn't really a classic semi final, but he's in the final. Hurrah!

Of course Thiem

whoops!

Thiem has beaten him recently, so has the confiedence of knowing that.

And then there's the weather ...

Can't wait for Sunday!

Well what a damp squib that was! As you said Raahh, it's much further than Delpo would have expected to get before the tournament started, but still disappointing - as he's such a quality played and that could have been a great match.

I wonder how Rafa keeps motivated to win more French Opens though - I mean, isn't 10 enough?!

Private I don't know what motivates him. Something about the place just makes him play better and better.

And 11 finals- same as Federer at Wimbledon. Difference being he has the chance to win 11 out of 11. That's quite a record.

But this might be the first final he's been in for a while that is not one sided. I'm expecting a bit of a match from Thiem. But then, I was expecting a match last year from Stan...

and Private it's great for Juan (if he's healthy) going into the grass season, which is much more his surface. He stands a real chance at Queens/Wimbledon.

Yes that's true Raahh. I'm v much looking forward to the grass season - always my favourite part of the year - although I can't be doing with Federer winning Wimbledon again! (Just thought I'd get that in there early...)

I see that Simona was watching Delpo again today!

Aww... I just read that they are holding a commemoration ceremony for Jana Novotna tomorrow before the women's legends match - really nice touch. Loved Novotna, it was so great when she won Wimbledon - lovely for her to be made "part of it" tomorrow. It's made me a bit emotional actually!

That's lovely Private. I loved her too and cried along with her when she lost Wimbledon and was delighted when she eventually won. The Duchess of Kent was lovely to her. I thought the Duchess had also died and was shocked to see her at the royal wedding

Thanks Jane for the pronunciation clarifications, very helpful.

Nice to hear about the commemoration did Jana Novotna. Good thing to do.

It's sweet when Rafa tries his French out but, boy, it's mangled and hard to understand what he wants to say!

Rafa's speaks French so fast and then often changes to English when he can't think of a word and maybe then back to Spanish. I love listening to him

Tee hee - I don't speak French so I can't comment, but at least he makes the effort!!
Bagel I was thinking about your earlier comment about how long matches take today - my DH was off work and was in and out of the house all day. Every time he came back in he'd see me still watching tennis and say: "Is this still on?!" Ha - I think it's only fair given the amount of rugby I have to sit through!

My DH asked tonight how many more days to go!

Me too jane I love the way he he just switches languages so effortlessly even if they aren't quite right
Tomorrow's final should be interesting, gotta wonder what part nerves will play, and I hope Thiem plays well, though not too well
Del Potro can do well at Wimbledon, think he could be the best chance for a winner that is not federer.

I just want Thiem to give a good account of himself - I would like to see him win just for interest's sake - but even if he doesn't, that's fine - I just want to see a proper contest!

Re Wimbledon, Rafa is a bit unpredictable on grass obviously but you never know. I'd expect Cilic to do well too. Getting ahead of myself there - still clay season!!

Is it just being shown on Eurosport because I can't find anything on ITV4?