Tennis Thread- WIMBLEDON PART 3 - New balls! (of the small fluffy yellow kind)

[Raahh]

New fred before we run out.

[Raahh]

what it was amazing- and really, if I thought for one minute he could last another match, I'd have been happy for Delpo to win (about the only person I would be happy to see beat Rafa). But he was definitely looking the more tired of the two by the end.

Djok should be the freshest of the semi finalists, but I think these days it's as much about his mental state as his physical fitness- and mentally he appears to getting his head together. He is experiencing winning again- maybe that's the key.

[Raahh]

Fizzy she's fine, dosed her up with pain relief, and she was happy to go to school. She hates the dentist though!

[Raahh]

In the women's semi final- I wonder if we will see an upset? I hope so, since I don't want the pundits to look smug, since they've had Serena in the final since day one.
I want Ostapenko to win (nothing against Kerber, just like Jelena more), and Goerges to beat Serena.

I will probably miss most of the Serena match, depending on how long the first one goes on for.

[Raahh]

The Guardian do a point by point analysis of the games and this paragraph says everything really-


17:35
The biggest win of Kevin Anderson’s career and the best the Court 1 crowd could muster was respectful applause. I get that people want Roger Federer to win, but how about we show the other guy a bit of love? Anderson was two sets down to Federer and he was behind the serving pattern throughout the second set! He’s the first man to beat Federer from two sets down since Novak Djokovic in the 2011 US Open semi-final!


I agree with everything it says.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

What an exciting day yesterday.

Was switching like a madwoman between the football and tennis during the last set
Frenetic!

[PrivateParkin]

Hi all. Very wise words Raahh. I think I feel about Delpo like you do about Rafa , ie, if anyone had to beat Delpo, I'm glad it was Rafa. I so want Delpo to win another Slam. And he keeps getting knocked down and coming back for more. That's why I love him so much!!

Anyway. Looking forward to the women's SFs today. I will enjoy it but not be nervous - just what I need after yesterday!

Hope your DD is ok Raahh

[Raahh]

Thanks Private I'm just hoping she doesn't need anything major doing- she won't be happy when I pick her up from school (she's 7).

I think Delpo is getting better and better as the year goes on- and if he stays fit, he's coming itto his favourite season. He's got a big chance at the US Open, I think, I also think fatigue may catch up with Rafa by then, tbh. Be interesting to see if he makes it to Canada or Cincinnati.


I'd love Juan to win another slam, and it would be great for him to win it at the US open again (which is his favourite- not my favourite as a spectator, I have to say).

[kazzaD66]

I completely agree with that Guardian comment Raahh. I only saw the end of the match from 5-5 in the 5th and thought it was bad form that every Federer game won was cheered to the rafters, whilst Anderson had very muted applause, esp when he broke Federer. And then when he won the match, they still couldn't show their appreciation for a great comeback and long, and presumably entertaining, match. I thought it was damn rude. I'm not a huge fan of Anderson (although I did see him on Court 2 last Friday) but I do get a bit fed up with Federer winning all the time, so I was happy with the result but felt sorry for Anderson for the way the crowd reacted

[kazzaD66]

Don't know what the commentators thought of it, as I don't speak Italian. Did the BBC commentators remark on it?

[Raahh]

Their hug at the end of the match was lovely. And when Rafa went over the net to check he was o.k.

They were both very nice about each other in their interviews after.


Definitely 2 of the loveliest blokes on the tour, imo.

[Raahh]

kazza I was watching Djokovic at the time, but I doubt they did, because it's what they expect (and from the bits of the commentary I heard, it was very Roger biased anyway).

You also missed the classic point at which Sue Barker piped up to inform of the channel change , and pretty much said that Roger had won the match- when he had just won the second set .

[kazzaD66]

Raahh Sue Barker

[Raahh]

or had the Nadal match started by the time Roger ended?

It was a long day

[JaneJeffer]

kazza they didn't remark on it but I may have stopped listening as I was all Petchey-ed out. I have decided he is my most annoying commentator above even Inverdale's quiz show.

I'd love the two Germans in the final and then make Trump watch that. Two of his favourite things women and Germans.

[PrivateParkin]

Jane that would be sweet!

[Raahh]

Jane

[Raahh]

I've just had the fright of my life- I had the red button on, Alfie Hewitt warming up- there was no sound at all.

Than all of a sudden the commentator said 'hello' and I nearly jumped out of my seat .

[JaneJeffer]

[PrivateParkin]

Lol Raahh!!

[Raahh]

It was like the voice came from my room.

I was very spooked.

[JaneJeffer]

That may have happened to me before

[Raahh]

Jane it made me feel like I was up to something I shouldn't be .

[PrivateParkin]

Just watched the Delpo press conference (even the Spanish bit - I don't understand a word of Spanish). When I grow up, I want to be as laid back as him. They asked him about his next tournament, would it be in the US? And he said no, first he will play Los Cabos in Mexico: "Beach." (Wink)
He was very nice about Rafa. I can't remember who said it upthread sorry, but I agree: they do genuinely respect each other.

Just tuning in for Ostapenko-Kerber. That have McEnroe commentating?!

[Raahh]

I read the bit about the beach. .

He is lovely- they always describe him as a gentle giant, and it seems to be true.

[BagelGoesWalking]

This thread is so lovely! I so enjoy reading everyone's considered points of view and the Guardian extracts that I would have missed, for example.

Also, really hope it won't be a Djokovic/Isner final but worry that Anderson will be tired and perhaps Rafa as well. Would hate Isner to win, he's such a boring player. Didn't bother watching any of his matches this tournament.

Pity Ostapenko/Kerber is rather one-sided.