Tennis thread: to Winston Salem - and beyond! All your build-up to the US Open here...

[PrivateIsles]

Cincinnati finals tomorrow... Meanwhile Andy Murray travels to Winston Salem (by car ) today...

Welcome one and all

It is good to see a new face winning

Yes but please note Ts&C's apply ie don't beat any of our favourites.

Disappointed for Goffin, but he's had a great year considering those freak injuries and how far down the rankings he fell. I thought he would have done better in the final itself but he just gave Medvedev too many chances to get into long rallies.

I know what you mean about big serves Adelie - the points he won in that last game were all aces/service winners weren't they?!

Have a great holiday, fingers crossed for a Rafa sighting!!

Have a great holiday Adelie - I think Rafa can sometimes be spotted training at his academy in Manacor but he may be in New York already?

Yes it is nice to see someone new winning (as long as it’s not against one of our favourites ). Hopefully Medvedev will have sown a few seeds of doubts in Djokovic’s mind just in time for the US Open. (Along with the Dynamic Duo of Rog and Raf )

Good point Fizzy about Djok - that would be his last match before New York so it could plant some seeds of doubt... although he always seems more invincible at slams doesn't he? I think potentially it could be quite an unpredictable tournament (men's and women's) but having said that, it'll probably be a Djok-Serena double!

Anyway I hope the US Open is as fun as last year - I really enjoyed it (apart from Delpo crying after the men's final of course).

I also don't want to see Rafa hobbling off court this year, if he's going to lose, I hope he dies so without getting injured. I want him to be able to play til the end of the season this year ( and obviously get married in one piece!).

*does

No dying allowed! Def not!
He is in New York already so sadly no Rafa sighting possible. Seemed unlikely, family Adelie will not be in restaurants/on luxury yachts etc. No glamour here!

Adelie

I saw the clip of Rafa practising with Verdasco in NY - and Fernando's wife had brought the baby onto the court in his buggy - v cute!

I'm switching Amazon on soon for Gulbis in qualifying for the US Open he was playing a challenger event last week. How the mighty have fallen

Anyway, come on Ernests!! Hope he wins today - I've not heard of the guy he's playing but there are loads of other good players in qualifying.

I keep confusing myself with my own comments being in green as I keep thinking it's Raahh posting - I was just like "ooh how weird, Raahh has posted about Gulbis as well!"

It doesn't take much to confuse me though, tbh.

Now, that's usually my line, confusing myself

Come on Gulbis!!

I read that Andy is regretting not putting himself forward for a wc for the US Open qualies as he'd forgotten that they only play 3 sets , not 5 in qualifying.

I don't think he wants to play 5 sets, or can, he just wants the practice.

But then, I'm inclined to think to think it's a good thing he didn't do it- as if he was only doing it for practice, that takes the place of some one who would benefit more really.

I'm laughing away at you Private

Well I've tuned into Amazon and there's no sign of Ernests

I was reliably informed (by the "Gulbis News" account, which I follow on twitter ) that it was 8pm European time tonight.

So come on Ernests, show yourself!

Well! No wonder I couldn't find him - he's already lost! 6-2 6-1 to Watanuki of Japan

Honestly, I despair.

Oh no

Oh no, poor Gulbis!
I tried to get an early night. Then was woken up first at 12, and have been awake since 3. So I was score watching.

Murray's stint in Winston Salem was short lived. Not sure if he will worry about his carbon footprint now, or take the first plane home.

In other news, it is raining cats and dogs. I dread to think what the garden is going to like in the morning!

Adelie - Have a lovely holiday. Murray is thinking about a challenger in Mallorca, so you might spot him!

Don't all rush at once...

You've put me off my lunch, Jane

I dread to think what are in them! (not envy!)

What... are they?! Or is it best not to ask...

I think they may be a mixture of seeds, nuts & dates am sure I've heard AC mention them!

Sounds like those things you hang out for the birds.

I like annoying my boys by asking if they'd like some balls when we have falafels.

jane I remember dd2 making those Bird seed things at rainbows. They ended up a rather disgusting mess.

Bit like the slime they made.

Craft making at Rainbows was a bit of a nightmare, really.

I've got to take the girls for haircuts. It was very much a last minute thing. It will be less traumatic than taking the dog to the groomer. Just. And marginally cheaper.

Well - I found out the "Rafa Nadal open" is on when we are in Majorca - at least on the monday. It's free - what is this thing "free"? Unfamiliar to me.
So I google translated and had myself emailed a ticket. Unclear if just for me or can bring whole family, but at least 2 of us will go. Might even see Murray - I'll report back!