TENNIS THREAD -Sliding in the clay, on the journey to Roland Garros !

[Raahh]

Just had a slight panic when I saw the thread was nearly full.

I am now off to check the schedule properly- to see what I'll miss today

(Of course Dom beat him as recently as IW)

Yes - you'd have to think Dom is favourite to win that one. But you never know.

I noticed Stan will play the winner of Rafa-Tiafoe!!

Oh also Bencic beat Osaka - great win for her, probably better on clay than Osaka? I wonder if Bencic could be a bit of a dark horse for RG?

Looks as if Roger had a tough match - I think he will struggle against Thiem.

Rafa coming up at 7pm against Tiafoe - I’ll be home alone after dropping DS2 off at footy - I’ve even managed to get someone to give him a lift back - so hopefully will be able to watch Rafa in peace.

Hope you get your internet sorted soon Private - we changed our provider last month so had a few hours without any broadband while it swapped over - DS2 just couldn’t cope.

Ooh Tsitsipas is on now against Verdasco - I think I’ll watch this for a bit

I like Bencic. The women's side of things often tends to feel a lot more open than the men's.
Osaka has been a bit up and down of late- though I must admit, I can't remember from last year if she did very well on clay. I don't think it's her surface.

Rafa outplayed Tiafoe in big way in Australia- I don't know if his confidence is quite up there at the moment, but I'm hoping it is solid win.

Zverev’s season still not going too well - he’s lost the first set against Hurkacz.

Rafa looking good on all fronts - his shorts are definitely getting shorter and tighter (not that I’m complaining )

The crowd at Madrid look as if they’re sat in metal cages - they are a very elegant crowd as well.

I've just seen the RG ad on ITV. Can't wait! It's been so long since I've been able to watch. Looking forward to seeing Rafa's short shorts in action.

Looks like Sascha had a lucky escape.

I'm glad to hear about Rafa's short shorts.

I think it will be worth the wait Jane

Zverev has won - he looked very relieved - I’d forgotten he was defending champion. They were playing on the Arantxa Sanchez court - I liked her as a player.

I’ve just realised that I’m on holiday for the last week of the French Open (must plan my holidays better!) I’ll be in Greece so hopefully Tsitsipas will do well.

Ooh another excuse to hit the pub on holidays Fizzy

As if I need one Jane - I’ll be cheering on Tsitsipas in a dodgy Greek bar (as long as he’s not playing Rafa )

Vamos Rafa! Tiafoe played much better in second set but Rafa was pretty good - he looks a bit more fired up than in his last few tournaments.

Bring on Stan and the !

Yay! Vamos Rafa.

My mum went somewhere Greek today ( can't remember where). Wish I had- flipping freezing here today!

I like Stan, but obviously want Rafa to win. He needs a tournament under his belt before RG I know Madrid isn't really usually one of his favoured ones, but it will do.

Yes Raahh can’t believe Rafa’s not won a clay court tournament yet this year - Rome is still to come though.

Really good quarter final line up.

Yy, Fizzy in theory he has more chance in Rome. Madrid is faster , plays more like a hard court apparently. And then there's the altitude thing. So maybe Rafa should aim for Rome.

But it's not over yet!

Yes Raahh the altitude thing has already been mentioned and yes it’s not over yet - could be anyone’s tournament.

Djokovic through to the semis already - Cilic has withdrawn because of food poisoning. Must be something going round.

oh pfft. How lucky for Novak!

not so for Cilic!

Hhmm - have I got a bad memory, or does Djok often benefit from opponents withdrawing? Has Marin been nobbled by some dodgy patatas bravas?

kazza

quite possibly.

I was hoping Cilic was starting on a bit of a run- but not to be.

I wonder why tennis players get food poisoning so often.

Because Djok's team are on the prowl Jane

Several years ago Conor Niland (the only Irish tennis player to get anywhere) had to retire at the US Open because he had food poisoning. He was playing against Djokovic. Just saying