Tennis Thread: it may be nearing the end of the season but no negative face! Still plenty to look forward to...

[PrivateSpidey]

Couldn't resist!

Happy wedding day Rafa and Maria/Xisca!

Had to have a break from the tennis there to read Harry Potter to DS. Back to it now.

Vamos Rafa!

In the other group I think Rog would have to beat Djok wouldn't he, to go through? Or am I getting ahead of myself.

Btw I love the thought of Tim breezing through into the VIP car park while AC has to pay along with the regular punters

Private yes, I think so, so he plays Berrettini first tomorrow.

If Thiem beats Djok tomorrow, that would be great. Might even make up for this.

I'm really not sure Rafa is in this match at all. I'm getting Aussie Open flash backs, and I don't like it.

He is missing things he never misses.

Bloody hell, poor Rafa, he is really not having a good night.

GIve him a break!

He does seem out of sorts, as Tim said.

Blimey. Sascha's playing well to be fair, although Rafa clearly not himself?

Something isn't right, whether he isn't fit yet (quite possibly), and he's getting no breaks at all from the Sascha serve.

VAMOS

He is making uncharacteristic mistakes, as he did in Australia, and earlier in the year when he was out of sorts.

Yep. And Sascha's serving like he did here last year.

Sascha hasn't done anything wrong- and his serving has been quite impressive.

Which is why I don't think Rafa will have much chance now, really.

No wonder he never uses a towel, he just wipes his face on his shirt.

.

oh dear.

Not what I wanted, but to be fair, I didn't expect Rafa there at all.

I just hope he doesn't withdraw, or the knives will be out.

FFS, make up your minds.

They have spent the whole match, discussing Rafa's injury- and now they say he is physically ok actually .

I hope he doesn't withdraw as well.

Spinach

Sascha's acting like he doesn't cook his own meals

We know different ,Spidey

I am expecting to wake up to news of Rafa's withdrawal, but I hope not.

Well done Sascha - spinach and carrots

I do hope Rafa doesn’t withdraw but he didn’t look happy at all - he was sort of waving to the crowd as if he was saying goodbye

I think the Popeye spinach comment was lost on him

Yeah probably - Popeye's was about 30 years before his time

I thought the wave looked a bit sad as well Fizzy.

I wonder how much the year end No1 thing means to Rafa - if that's what's motivating him to be there??

Just catching up with the Tennis Podcast. They said Rafa said he isn't injured, just not match fit. Hmm.

They also pointed out since the "no negative face" pep talk, Sascha has beaten both Federer and Rafa. So I guess it worked. He has only played them once each since then mind you.

Also apparently in the doubles yesterday Mahut and PHH vs Cabal/Farrah, in the on court interview they mentioned C & F being the Wimbledon champs and Mahut was like "I know, I was there" I presume he and PHH have sorted it all out now but still! Ouch

Afternoon Spidey .

That is very insensitive of the commentator (aren't they always).

We would defnitely do a better job.

Rafa really looks very down doesn't he?

Oh I like Mischa'S glittery jumper.

I don't know why my phone wants a capital S there but I've changed it twice and I'm not doing it again. I'd rather type this long tirade instead!

I had to watch the end of Doctors.
Just to let you know , it wasn't very good.

And Mirka FFS

I knew who you meant Jane, which just goes to show how much time we spend on this thread.

Ok I'm intrigued enough about Doctors to hold onto the phone. What's going on? Have they replaced Geoffrey?

Oh SHUT UP AC.

Much as I like RBA, don't just assume Rafa won't play.

Jane No . We've moved on to a new 'series'. In Doctors fashion, he may never be mentioned again.