Tennis thread: towards the end of the season, lots of tennis still to be played!

[PrivateParkin]

Hi all, I wasn't sure if Raahh was around so I thought I would start a new thread (thanks ferrier) in case of any urgent tennis news that we might need to start posting about immediately! I'm looking forward to Shanghai this week

Lol yes maybe - next Fognini to drop out with a recurrence of his ankle injury

I will not be the slightest bit surprised.

Watching a bit of Isner v Kachanov. It's a third set tie break what a surprise.

Isner looks white as a sheet. Can't tell if he's ill or just knackered.

Yes Karen! He's celebrating like he just won the title!!

Oh, well done to Karen!

( for a second, I wondered Karen who? I'm still in Kevin/Keith mode).

Definitely too many Ks today!!

Aww, I've just seen a full clip of Marin and the mascot, and when he spoke to him after the match too. Marin is so lovely.

I think Cilic seems like a really nice bloke Raahh.

Things are looking a bit tight for thiem - he needs to hold his serve to stay in the match.

Looking forward to foggy against federer later.

Thiem managed to hold his nerve to win the match.

The race is still on for London - would like to see Foggy there rather than Isner or Keith.

I think Foggy is already out of the running for London, even if he wins the title in Paris, he will have fewer points than Keith. Might squeak in as an alternate, if the worst happened and Rafa pulled out.

That's a good win for Thiem isn't it? Coric has been playing really well lately.

Just tuning in for Roger v Fabio...

Actually, I would like to see Coric as an alternate in London, he's had a good solid year, and is only just too old to qualify for Milan.

Oh bloody hell my DS is watching "Droid Tales" I thought the TV was free!! Argh!!

I think Coric could qualify couldn't he Raahh - as an alternate?? Not sure, it just seems to be changing all the time. I think Isner is out of it though - unless, as you say, Rafa drops out - I hope he won't. But I feel the same as I do about Delpo - they've got nothing to prove and no reason to rush back for London, when it might just be better to start next year fresh.

I don't know - I'm a bit torn because I'd love to see them both in London, but they have to take the long view at this stage...

Speaking of, I saw an interview with Djok earlier where he was saying he was aiming to play until his late 30s a la Federer!!

Just saw the last few games - I didn't think Roger looked that convincing really, although he did win in straight sets so I suppose he can't complain.

I wonder how Cilic will get on against Djok tomorrow?....

He meets Federer tomorrow - who finally decided to commit to playing. hmm

Just like Rafa huh
Who has completely unbalanced the draw by his late decision.

Delighted to see Kei best Kevin. Really can't warm to Kevin .... or indeed any of the ultra tall serve machines. And Kei has a beautiful all round game. And on a similar note it's a shame that Grigor couldn't beat Cilic.

Wasn't able to catch much of Federer Fognini which is a shame as they are my two top players. I shall certainly be seeking out the highlights reel though. I don't think Foggy has played Roger very often and I do think he is one of those players who take a a while to work out his opposition. (E.g.. see his results against Rafa). However overall Foggy has had a great season and may end up with his highest year end ranking. So a great partnership with his new coach Franco Davin.

Good to see Jack Sock finally making some headway again. And always happy to see Thiem and Zverev doing well (especially at the expense of Coric who I also can't warm to).

So overall a pretty good final eight. Would like to see Zverev Thiem Nole Roger for the semis. I can't see anyone else but Nole winning but I can always hope!

Rafa's statement when withdrawing from Paris indicated that he only sees himself playing another couple of years.

Federer v Fognini wasn't a brilliant match - a shamr because it definitely had potential, and it felt like Foggy was on the brink of making something of it but just couldn't quite do it. Just a couple of service breaks in it. But Roger's own serve wasn't great, obviously he still won yesterday, but i doubt he'll get away with it against Djokovic - hope I'm wrong though!

I saw most of the Nishikori match and that wasn't as good as I thought it would be either. He did manage to hit the overhead scoreboard thingy with a high lob though - which then went out. Seemed a bit unfair!!

I think Fabio is often intimidated by his opposition. He really has to believe that he can do it to bring out his best tennis. He is also of course prone to waywardness which undermines his game too much but from what I saw of yesterday's match he looked a little subdued.

Was score watching whilst at my hospital appointment, ( once the Wi-Fi decided to work), great result for Karen, Sascha is not going to be too chuffed.

And Thiem is through, which is nice .

I think Sascha said afterwards that he had an injury??...

Good win for Thiem and yet another cold handshake!! Not sure what went on - only saw the very end.

PS hope you're ok Raahh

Thanks private it was just to check if the cyst was anything sinister. He is keeping an eye on it, and I'm going back for a scan in 4 months.

The consultant had nice eyes.

Sascha doesn't hide his feelings well, does he?

Hope it's all ok Raahh

Sascha said this after the match (attached - hope you don't need your magnifying glasses to read it!) but he really knows how to throw some shade doesn't he?! "I'm just too good to win this tournament"

I do agree with him though. The season is definitely too long and it's not good when players are falling by the wayside. They need a proper off season.