Tennis Thread:- The players are all on holiday, 2018 is coming to an end, but 2019 is around the corner and there will be lots to look forward to!

[Raahh]

Although I can't think about January yet...

I'm still in denial it's nearly December- which means ds will be 16 , and I will be 47 and another year will be over.

Glad to see Rafa's match is last on in the evening tomorrow. (So will be able to watch).

Kyrgios is muttering. He's injured and suffering, according to the commentators. No help from the Umpire this time .

Halep looks rattled. Kaneppi is so strong.

Thank you Quan.

I really like Simone, and I always want her to do well.

One set all.

Think Halep has it. K K getting an
injury treated.

Well done Simona. I love her outfit.

Quantum give us a wave

Trying to post photos but no success. It is the most beautiful warm evening here. DH and I quite tired so won't stay for the whole men's match.

I had to take the dog out, but well done to Simone.

I'm interested to see what Thiem's form is like.

Paire has such presence. I bet he gets stared at wherever he goes!

Jane he does.

This could be close- bit, it's still early, and Paire could fall apart at a seconds notice .

Thiem will not want a long, late night match like the one he lost to Rafa in the US Open, that was unbelievably stressful. (And no fun for Thiem).

Think someone in the crowd got a bit sweary there

they must be sitting very near the mic. I'm still hearing weird noises all the time and can't figure out what it is - annoying!

I'm not sure about the colour of Dom's shorts. They look like he should be going swimming. (Very important tennis observation, that ). They match his top though.

Talking of sartorial matters, I only briefly saw Stan- when Gulbis was lying on the floor getting treatment. What's he wearing this year, and more to the point, is it ironed? .

And I've just seen that Stan plays Milos next round.

bloody hell

(I want both to win!)

If Benoit keeps his head, he has a really good chance here - Dom not looking that confident. Could be a big upset (not that it's really Dom's surface though).

Oh- I could hear a breathing sound just then too.

I think the sound bloke needs to move away from his sound thingy

And Paire has dropped his level.

Am score watching in a cafe. I thought Benoit had a good chance for the upset here as well. Is he likely to stage a gritty come back?! I'm guessing probably not!

So pleased for Simona, her draw here is terrible so at least she's made it past one!

Stan and Milos must think someone has got it in for them. Should be an interesting match, but I wish both could go through!

Private He's in a bit of a mood (racquets ok so far), and I'm not sure he's got it in him. He started so well- it really doesn't take much to put him off his stride. Dom wasn't playing that well, he had a chance.

Oh, and as I write, a racquet bites the dust

I'll be team Stan. I just can't take to Raonic.

I do like Milos, and he looks much better with his hair fluffy, rather than slicked back.

Oof. Benoit has just whacked the net . He's fed up.

And about to go 2 sets down .

Has anyone seen Azarenka's press conference? I just watched it now. Poor girl, I feel so bad for her. She said something like she is struggling and she doesn't know why she goes through these things

I love her playing style, for me she was one of the few who could match Serena on any given day. I feel so bad for her, I hope she can come back but it doesn't sound good.

I don't think I've seen Milos' fluffy hair I like the sound of it. Will investigate!