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

Private I was about to say, Novak looks ill. I mean, for someone who claims to have this healthy lifestyle, he's never looked very healthy, imo, but he really looks peaky.

But it is probably the heat.

Bet he wishes they would shut the roof .

Omg he looks like he is struggling to breathe - not good to see

There've been 4 men's retirements today already

Did you read about Felix AA in his match v Shaggy - he had tachycardia, really worrying. He has had it before apparently.

Not good at all

Yes, I read about Felix, that's quite worrying. The heat definitely won't help that.

It is reminding me of the women's final at the Australian open, when the heat was awful- but they didn't close the roof- and it went on for hours, both were in a bad way, and Halep ended up in hospital.

Oh do fuck off with the shot clock. In these conditions, I think they have to even allow Djok to take his time. But I'm beginning to think common sense is lacking a bit.

Yay Mahut got in as a lucky loser! Match has just started. Hope his son did a celebratory floss!!

Yeah they do seem to be a bit jobsworth....clearly the players are struggling, so long as no one complains and they haven't as far as I know, what does an extra water stop, or few seconds matter?

ooh- Marton has a break.

And he is looking the more 'awake' of the two.
Djok looks like he is going to vomit.

I was just about to post re the shot clock!! It's absolutely ridiculous under the circs.

Oh fabulous news about Mahut! There are so many players retiring (as in from the game totally) this year. Including his mate, Benneteau, iirc?

And yes, I hope his son did the floss!

Ooh- Marton could get this set. (I cannot spell his surname. I have given up trying).

Djok is starting to look like an extra from 'The Walking Dead'. With a tan .

Yes! I think Benneteau plays Chickenato

His team look worried.

Yay! Chickenato

It seems like ages since I watched him beat Djok at RG (from my hospital bed). And I paid extra for that, for Eurosport on Hospital tv.

It was better than bloody Amazon prime.

Well, whatever they gave him, perked him up.

But Marton could still win the set. Which I'm sure he never expected.

Gladys Knight! Where's the Pips?

I have a Pip. Well, a Pippa.

yay!

Now, you know, Novak isn't looking well. Stranger things couls happen than Novak losing.

But...dd1 is back from football, and I have promised to watch Bake Off.

I am probably making it up, but didn't they have the heat rule at Wimbledon this year - but only for the ladies? If you were a bloke playing a five setter for 4 or 5 hours, tough titties, boys Same as the on the WTA tour, your coach can come on court but not on the ATP tour. And then there's equality and equal prize money don't get me started!
Yes, I live in dread every time the BBC Wimbledon contract negotiations come round! Having watched the Championships about 30 years ago on US tv, when there were adverts every 5 minutes, whether it was the end of a game or not, it fills me with horror! Maybe it's better these days but it's all I can do to tolerate the French on ITV3 or 4, with their incessant adverts about OAP meals and PPI playing on a continual loop

Argh kazza don't!! Save us from the ads they think are relevant for tennis watchers!!! Awful.

Djok is a break down in the third. Prediction: he goes 2 sets to 1 down, they go off for the heat break, then he comes back and wins the next two sets

Watch as the exact opposite happens

Novak seems to have rallied. The other guy is looking like a boiled beetroot though. Have they clarified when a heat break would be?

After the third set, is what I heard.

He looks very red, but not exhausted as such - Novak looks a lot better now too. Picking Djok to win!

Thanks private
I think you're right, Novak will come back refreshed and win from there.

I kind of want Novak to win so he can beat Federer

I don't know how they do it Mama - I would just be lying at the side of the court going "Just leave me here"!! Imagine actually playing in this! It is so uncomfortable to watch.

Kazza I think you're right about the heat rule - it applies to WTA so all women's matches incl Slams. I completely agree the men should have the same rules.