Tennis Thread- It's the US OPEN already, we're prepared for late nights, (and Amazon Prime is making us cross already)

[Raahh]

I can't believe it's nearly September, really. I'm sure the Australian open has just finished.

I'm going to spend the morning labelling school uniform . I really am.

I probably won't

Tactics from de Minaur there!!

De Minaur looks like he can barely stand! What an effort.

I've come close to spoiling this for you Private as I am looking at the US Open official site & it's certainly at least 90 seconds ahead of prime.

How many people are still there watching?

Argh magi!! That's madness isn't it. I can sort of understand why the coverage isn't instant, but they should slow down posting the scores so they're in sync! It's v annoying.

Cilic really got off the hook there.

I presume if you are in the US you don't have to watch Prime - doubt if they care about us!

No I'm sure they don't. I think it's only the UK and Ireland that's having prime inflicted on them...

Well, it does like Cilic escaped from that- De Minaur is real talent , and it must have taken some effort to get through that. Marin will be mightily relieved- but it might affect his next match. I wonder when they will schedule him?

Even though I was up ( and then briefly actually went to bed, having nodded off on the sofa as usual), Prime wasn't working for me after in the early hours anyway. . Stupid bloody thing.

I'm hoping to see Rafa today, at least some of it, but I might be out. It could be a tricky match- I'm taking nothing for granted!

Raahh I would have been seriously worried for Cilic if he'd lost that after having 6 match points or whatever it was.

I had the "bandwidth" message a few times yesterday, it's blooming annoying!

Is it the ATP we all need to moan to re giving all this tennis to Amazon? Not good for the game in general, is it?

PS am really pleased for Kohlschreiber! It is extremely interesting how Zverev, Kyrgios etc who commentators never stop going on about, are out, and Kohlschreiber and eg Sousa are in the 4th round!! And so is Isner but I'll try to gloss over that. Btw I see Marin was sticking with the stripes

Yes magi that's the other thing - after this year, all ATP (I think) is going to be on Amazon over here 😱

Private now, it's a good thing in a way, I don't have Sky- I don't get to see any of the ATP tour masters, for example, unless they are shown randomly. Once I get to grips with it, it will be nice to know I will be able to watch Indian Well maybe, or Monte Carlo. So, I ought to be pleased. But unless they can really improve things, I think I'd rather they left it with Sky/Eurosport( for those who already pay through the nose for it) for decent coverage.

Plus it really alienates people like my gran, who have tv packages and are not at all tech savvy.

Looks like cilic had a really close call there - well done to him for coming through.

I was thinking that Private about the next gen players - at some point they’ve got to start delivering especially in the slams. Zverev in particular has been hyped up and is yet to do anything in any of the slams. Thiem is still in but playing Anderson later today.

I might get to see some of Rafa later but I think I’ve come to the conclusion (all these years later!) that I don’t actually enjoy watching him - too stressful

I completely agree with that Fizzy. I only ever enjoy Delpo's matches after the event (if he's won), because at the time it's so nerve wracking, and I can't really appreciate the shots properly because I'm too nervous. The best kind of match imo is a brilliant one where you don't really care about either of the players

the reason i loved the Rafa/Delpo match at Wimbledon was that I would genuinely have been happy if either had won (ok, a bit happier for Rafa), and it was one of the most amazing matches, quality wise , too.

watching him when he is shaky, as he was against Karen, makes me really nervous. And watching his match at Wimbledon against Novak was stressful because I really wanted him to win it- but there was no denying how great the match was.

I think there will be serious talks in the Zverev/lendl camp. I don't think Ivan likes cocky. He likes results. And results take graft, not just takent. The wheels seem to come off when Sascha plays slams, and players with experience ( like Kohlshreiber) can take advantage of that.

Thiem and Anderson is very close so far, both seemed really nervous but have steadied the ship now ....... will be switching when Rafa comes on though

Rafa’s on now Mama looking good in pink again.

Thiem has taken the first set against Anderson but looks like a close match.

I agree Raah about Lendl and Zverev. Zverev’s obviously got a lot of talent but maybe does need to work a bit harder. I’m sure Ivan will be cracking the whip but not sure how well Zverev will respond to that.

The commentators have obviously been practising how to say Basilashvili

FIzzy just turned on an saw the pink

Yes, Lendl will have his hands full, I think. It's one thing to win a few titles, but you have to back it up. He's not easily impressed, Old Ivan..

No he’s not Raahh although I expect he’s a secret softy at heart (just hides it very well!)

Fizzy I'm sure he is. I bet he has a wicked sense of humour.

Yes he is supposed to be quite funny - very dry

Looks like normal Rafa service has been resumed - phew

Yes, I'm hoping for a much less nerve wracking match today.

Sorry Basilashvili.

Rafa, if he wins, will meet either of Thiem or Anderson next round.

Now Kevin is currently 2 sets down- but it might be too early to read too much into that- we know he can work his way back. And he's definitely a more confident player than last year.

A match up with Rafa/ Thiem- that isn't on clay- would be interesting. I think all of their previous meetings have been on clay.

Rafa is nice and bright (just got back from taking children to their dad’s house)

Yes it does seem less nerve wracking than the last match.

You can never bet against Anderson until the last point has been played but a Rafa v Thiem match would be interesting (and possibly quite nerve wracking)