Tennis Thread: who will (Arc de) Triomphe in Paris? It's going to be Eiffel-y exciting! The French Open is almost here!

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Sorry, couldn't resist!

Bring on RG!

5ft 2 is positively Amazonian, I'll have you know, Sam.

I'm 4ft 8.

Yay! Eurosport 2 are showing Cilic.

Bye bye Konta ( as Fabrice might say).

Cute Otte(r) Jane

I only have ITV4, so if they're showing Konta, I'm going to do some ironing

Topsy turvy match from the Konta scores , I see. What happened?

Cilic could either win this set. Or Grigor could take it to a a 5th.

It really has been a close one.

And it goes to a 5th.

Come on Marin! ( though I won't be too sad to see Grigor go through, they have both had a shocking run of form).

It’s a pity Cilic and Dimitrov are playing each other at this stage - they both desperately need the win to try and restore their confidence - they both seem so fragile.

I would like Cilic to win but Grigor has already broken serve in the fifth.

Did anyone see the clip of Stan rescuing the boy who was being crushed by the crowd? He picked him up, comforted him and gave him a towel - it was very sweet

Aww, see Stan is a good bloke

I hope losing doesn't crush Cilic further. He is defending Queen's- he really needs to keep his chin up.

I really feel for Marin. Although I am pleased for Dimitrov. I think you're right Fizzy, they both needed a win. Last year, that match would have been No.3 vs No.4

I saw Kiki Bertens withdrew from the womens - what happened there, does anyone know?

Sounds like Stan had a convincing win

The beautifully bearded Benoit is contesting a great match in the Battle of the Frenchmen with PHH at the moment. Paire is 7-6 in the 5th set.

I really like both of them- but would be great for both Mahut and PHH to go through.

Though I fear for Paire's racquets if he loses now.

Benoit will be gutted if he loses this- he sailed through the first 2 sets. But PHH has done brilliantly to come back.

It's one of those matches, where I want them both to win .

I'm not sure they have a tie break in the final set at RG, do they -now they've introduced one in the other slams?

Or do they?

< muses to self>

I don’t think they do have a tiebreak Raahh but could be wrong

I have been outnumbered and the football is now on - rubbish!

I remember reading earlier in the year ,a rant from Mac, that all the 4 Slams now have different rules on how the final set is handled. Which could really confuse a player, if you think about .

I think Paire might just sneak this. It's a shame- PHH has really played very, very well.
And Benoit has it.

Brilliant match - well, the ending of it.

Lovely hug at the end.

Anyone else dislike John Inverdale..

With a passion, unique

Good he's so bad.

Anyone else dislike John Inverdale?

Possibly "Fat" Marion Bartolli keeps her views to herself.

The Eurosport Player gets you all the courts. It's worth signing up for a month this time of year when you get the Tennis and the Tour.

That’s right Mockers I’ve always thought that Inverdale was an idiot but the Marion Bartolli thing was unforgivable. The bbc distanced themselves from him a bit but he seems to have wormed his way back onto ITV.

Mind you, I loathe Bartolli as a commentator with her syncophtic Serena stuff.

Fabrice coaches Pierre HH - that's in reply to who ever asked that connection.

Really enjoyed the Benoit/Pierre match. Some amazing shot making.

I much preferred Inverdale on Today at Wimbledon than Clare Balding.

I do quite like Kyle Edmunds, but a bit of me longs for him to go out so they show better matches! I get sick of the whole 'plucky Brit watch' ethos.

Thanks magi for the Fabrice coaching answer

I used to like Inverdale on Today at Wimbledon aswell Jane . I don't know if he's got worse since then? Can't stand Clare Balding these days and she completely ruined TaW - especially when she kept plugging her feminist agenda!
I still pine for the days of the Des and Gerry show Mind you, Des Lynam was just a fantastic all round broadcaster anyway IMO

Yay they're finally showing Osaka v Azarenka (although they seem to be having a break at the mo)...