TENNIS THREAD- Grass season is in full swing, stock up on strawberries and Pimms!

[Raahh]

at magi's request here is the first grass thread ( we will probably need more than one!).

Can't believe it time for Queen's again. Hope the weather holds out- bit gloomy in the north west.

( can't link to other thread as on my phone).

See you all later- the only thing I'm not looking forward to is the likelihood it will be Mr Castle in the commentary box.

I see Dan Evans has beaten Marcus Willis in the second round of Wimbledon pre qualifying and now plays a bloke from Exeter ranked in the 800s. Whatever you think of Evans and what he's done, it's a bit ridiculous. Willis made a good point that, by making Evans play pre qualifying, you are robbing someone else of having the chance to get through - in this case, Willis himself!

Ooh, I say as good old Dan Maskell would say Deliciano is pouring water over his head in a rather seductive fashion Even AC was getting excited!

Did anyone hear AC explaining that he is not a fan of tennis he "just commentates"?! I think he's being a bit generous in that description. "I just ramble about nowt" would be better.

He didn't seem to react very well to the criticism he was receiving from a viewer!

No he didn't cant he take the hint?

Some fab tennis here, this would be a great final.
Oh bugger, another tiebreak. Come on Lopez! !

Private

Damn.

I am following the scores on my phone while I wait for my dc . Poor Feli.

Ooh Murray to play Eastbourne

That Lopez match was as close as anything. I've had to unfollow Fever Tree on twitter as they keep hi about how "sensational" Kyrgios is I mean, I like him, but he hasn't been that good. That match was pretty much 50-50 IMHO.

Sorry that should have said "going on", not "hi"

Not seen any tennis at all today . Will hopefully get to see some at the weekend. Semi-final line up looks pretty good.

Someone was criticising Andrew Castle? Surely not

Phew found you!
I've returned to the land of the internet having been in deepest darkest wales for 2 weeks, haven't seen a single shot of tennis so looking forward to seeing the queens semis this weekend.
Hope everyone's good?

Had a wonderful day at Eastbourne yesterday. No Shapavalov but plenty of tennis.

The grass was amazing - first day, so pristine & virtually the whole grounds are lawned so you were walking on it most of the time. SO short & so close - felt lovely underfoot (took my shoes off whilst watching).

We watched loads of different people practice, Ostapenko, Radwanska & others who I could not name. It's amazing how different they look in the flesh.

Watched a couple of men practice & were admiring their play. They stopped for a drink & heard one of thme ask the other his ranking. "In the 500's" was the reply! Goes to show how very tough it must be to get to the top!

Wonderful day & back to TV watching for the semis today. Think I'd have to put my money of a Kyrgios/Djok final.

Watched one qualifying match & were sat in the front row courtside, just by the service line. It is really worth going to watch some live tennis as there is so much you see that TV can't show you.

These weren't top players (but still v good) & the speed of the ball is incredible & how low it skims the net. We were close to the service line judge & how they call those balls I don't know! Tried it myself (in silence) for a couple of games & did not do well!!

magi that sounds fantastic! I love the sound of the grass underfoot, how lovely and relaxing!

Shame you didn't get to see Dennis, but it sounds great even so. I know what you mean about the standard of play close up, it's just unreal even when, as you said, it's not necessarily the top players. The quality is so high. I know when I've seen doubles on the outside courts at Wimbledon when you are so close to the courts, it's amazing how good the players are. I get sort of hypnotized by it, can't explain really! Glad you had a good time

Is Kyrgios playing today? I'm at work so want to watch if I can....

84 yes he is - 1pm, the first SF (against Cilic).

Bugger that's when I'm having lunch.....

Sounds like a great day Magi - probably for the best that you didn’t get to see Shapalavov . Maybe he reads mumsnet and went into hiding!

Hopefully get to see the Cilic/Krygios match today although watching Krygios raises my blood pressure (for all the wrong reasons).

Maybe Cilic will have a calming influence on him.

Not so fussed about watching the Djokovic match - he does seem to be improving with each match though. I think it will be a Djokovic/Cilic final with hopefully Cilic to win.

Glad you had a great day magi I thought maybe you had gone to the Grand Hotel after all

Federer is through in Halle. He's looking unstoppable.

Don't know if I'll get to watch much today. Our summer seems to have returned here thank goodness.

Ugh- here we go.

Another edition of the Kyrgios show.

And if John Lloyd says 'box office' one more time, I will scream.

I hope Cilic is on good form.

AC has just apologised again for Kyrgios swearing. Why does he keep getting away with it? The vast majority of players get through matches without having to do it- why is he so special?

I've just seen that Coric is through in Halle because Bautista-Agut retired.

I really hope he can win tomorrow. Fed has been pushed quite a bit this week- looking at the scorelines.

Don’t players get fined for ‘audible obscenities’ any more?

Fizzy I think they probably do- they've just been joking about donating his fines to charity.

(The tournament are donating £50 per ace over the week to Great Ormond Street- at least some good is coming from Nick, he's producing about 30 per match at the moment).