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.

The scheduling is ridiculous. Spectators don't want to stay till 2 am. The evening sessions always start late and go on too late. I think they should start the day at 9,30 am instead of 11 and start the evenings at 6 instead of 7.

Quantum you are local, aren't you? It is daft, isn't it?

I think Annabel Croft was saying that even the US open are re-considering night matches this year, after some of theirs have gone on to daft times- Thiem V Rafa springs to mind.

Jane aww, I do love Marin.

I love Marin too. Anyone who gives their water to a cameraman should get a bye into the final just for being so nice

Quantum totally nuts schedule, unfair to basically everyone! Madness.

I'm watching Ash Barty v Sakkari. They've got the roof closed as it's raining, so it just looks like night time. I feel like it's just continuing from the Konta match, but actually, I need to go to bed! What am I doing??!...

I've switched over to the Berd v El Peque Diego has just won the first set, playing brilliantly, if looking quite diminutive compared to his opponent!

Berdych again!

Funny the difference in the weather from the beginning of the week, when the afternoon players were wilting in the heat.

Shrieky is playing Wozniacki . it's too early for that level of noise, and Maria is winning unfortunately.

I have to go out at 12 ( lunch for mum's birthdau), so I need Rafa to be boring and business like this morning.

I can't believe Berdych!! He's going to win the whole thing at this rate

I see Tsitsipas plays Fed next, that should be a good one.

Meanwhile, looking forward to this Rafa match.

They have only met once, Stefanos and Fed, and it the other week at the Hopman cup- and though Fed won, it was 7-6, 7-6.
So who knows what might happen.
I am going to miss big chunks of the Rafa match.

Back from dropping off dd2,and when I left,the first couple of games had taken a while.

and I get back to the scoreline in the first set!

Alex has had 2 previous tough matches- but Rafa is looking very strong.

Rafa is playing really well here 😊

I see Busta Gut is up to his usual tricks- he won his first 2 sets, and looks in danger of losing the 3rd.

Vamos Bautista- I like you. Why don't you make a match easy for yourself, for once ? .

Just back from the school run/chat. Looks a comprehensive scoreline!

I am enjoying listening to Matt Ebden. Must be a different perspective, from being out there playing Rafa.

There is a sense of inevitability about this match .

Ah is that who it is? I was thinking he sounded quite sensible!

I can't see the deMon doing much here tbh.

RBA has won! What a result beating Khachanov! He's had a great week.

Private it makes a big difference when you hear the 'current' players commentating on matches- they offer a whole new angle on things. He has also been offering his opinion on Rafa's new serve- he thinks the first serve has improved somewhat, but the second serve had lost something (compared to when he played him last year).

It's really interesting.

I am so pleased for RBA- that's a big result for him (and I like Karen). I loved how he was in the Murray match, I think he will have earned some new fans (even though he beat him, someone was always going to do it).

Vamos! Busta Gut!

Well, it looks like I will be able to walk the dog before I leave for lunch, without having to miss any of the Rafa match after all.

And Kerber will get to go on at a reasonable time!

Matt Ebden is also very sensible when it comes to discussing the shot clock .

Yes agree Raahh - a bit like Andy commentating too - it's great because they've actually played these guys, and that's what you want to hear about. not picnics etc

Cilic-Verdasco looks like it'll be a bit of a battle...

I'm annoyed that Eurosport 2 are showing skiing again.

Although I can't sit and watch another match after this- I've got places to be

Wow great shots from the deMon that last game!

Alex is definitely not going without a fight, which maybe his compatriot Nick could learn from.