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

We're currently plagued by ladybirds here in sunny Hampshire Fizzy . All over my washing and I daren't open any windows for fear of them all coming inside

Yes! Let's definitely blame Djok for this why not?!

Sorry to hear about the weather! Doesn't sound good.

I meant blame Djok for Cilic's dip in form, but let's blame him for the ladybirds as well because why not?!

Raahh Delpo would catch his death in a knitted thong!!

If he does well or better than Novak this week, he can kind of help keep Rafa at No1 too. But Djok will be desperate for the year end No1 I bet - he'll be hard to stop.

I'm happy to blame Djok for everything.
If he wins this week, he will be 35 points behind Rafa in the race, i think? He's got the better chance of doing well in Paris, too, realistically. I do think it is just a matter of time before Djok regains he number one, unless he has another unexplained dip.

Yes let’s blame Djok for the ladybirds . They were all over my washing as well Kazza up north in Yorkshire. I also closed my windows and gave my washing an extra shake!

Yes Cilic has not been the same since the rain break at Wimbledon - he quite often seems to be in a winning position and then just falls away - maybe it is a mental thing. I was expecting great things from him as well.

I also agree about Djokovic unfortunately - he will definitely want to finish the year as number one and seems pretty unstoppable at the moment. Wonder how Roger will do in Shanghai?

Roger has plenty of phwoar factor, just not in that cardy!

I will definitely be happy to see Djok overtake Rafa

Yes Rog is a bit of an unknown quantity isn't he at the mo? He hasn't played much lately, not that that seems to do him much harm usually. He's seeded to meet Delpo in the semis I think, so that could be interesting if they both get there.

There's Zverev as well but he's even less predictable than Cilic at the moment. Rafa leaves a big gap doesn't he it's just not the same without him.

Anyway. Tsitsipas v Kachanov is another one I'm looking forward to - I think it's tomorrow. I suppose I'll have to make do with that!

PS I also saw some ladybirds on my way home from work - surely AC would be interested in this phenomenon?! He was so keen on the cabbage white after all! Aw I miss AC!

I agree Private it’s not the same without Rafa . I do like tennis anyway and like some other players but I don’t seem to have the same level of interest if Rafa’s not playing. I know he can’t go on forever though.

Now much as I would like to blame Djok I think the real blame lies with John Isner who rescued that ladybird at Wimbledon thus allowing it to fly away home and rescue her offspring who have now decided to invade England. (At least your vegetables will be free from greenfly for the foreseeable.)

Yes of course you’re right Jane it’s all John Isner’s fault!

Definitely not the same without Rafa. Hopefully he will be able to end the season on good note- and in one piece.

But John Isner- oh I'm happy to blame the over grown toddler man for lady bird infestations.

Yes fingers crossed Raahh would like to see him do well in London for a change but I’ll be happy with all in one piece

Indoor hard courts aren't his surface at all, fizzy, so if he ends the season with both knees still in play, that's good enough for me.

I just want to see Rafa

Rafa should just make a guest appearance in Shanghai - he doesn't have to play, just turn up and wave to us

Osaka did it in Hong Kong so surely Rafa can do the same?! Not far to travel from Manacor!!

I like Isner as the new ladybird scapegoat

I just want to see Rafa

You see I'm the opposite. Although actually these days it applies more to Andy than to Rafa. I hold off buying London tickets until I know who's playing when because I don't want to see an Andy or a Rafa match .. unless they involve someone I particularly like.
So this year I'm lucky that Andy is out of the equation altogether

Idk how Delpo won that set. Richard let him off the hook there

I've just seen Tsitsipas has got through, Private, that could have been a tricky match.

Looks like it's going to be another sunny day here.

not going so well in the tie break in this set...

And now he's drawn level.

I hate only being able to score watch!

Phew! that looked close.

I don't know how Delpo got away with that! It looked as though he was still a bit ill. He plays Coric next.

I also see Zverev beat Basilashvili - there was a funny video on twitter of Zverev winning a point and brandishing his fist in the direction of a ballboy, who looked terrified!! He probably thought he was going to do a Verdasco on him! Poor kid.

Anyway. Good win for Tsitsipas. And DeMinaur won as well, another good result for him.