Tennis - So long New York, Ciao Roma

[JaneJeffer]

This will all hinge on 1) Sascha's serve, and 2) Dom's achilles injury.

Jane I know! A very different scenario to when one of the Big 3 are playing. It would probably have been quite even, I think.

Domi has the more interesting shorts.

It worked for Stan. .

Starks my first thought was that they'd replace Sue with CB but she is surely too busy. She's working for BT Sport as well

Dubious fashion sense and being Austrian are one and the same, aren't they Raahh

Not unsurprisingly, I have seen that Sascha and Domi are no longer on the list for playing in Rome. (They were at the beginning of the week).

Must be a nightmare for the organisers at tournaments, all of this.

kazza I think so.

Definitely will not watch if CB is involved!

I think Domi is a bit of a trendsetter because his look is now the height of fashion!

Catherine mentioning Domi’s hair made me laugh

It is still very strange - I know it’s a GS final but it doesn’t really feel like it

When Thiem was asked what was different in this year’s final he didn’t mention the absence of Roger, Rafa or Novak

At least we should be excused the word from our sponsors thing at the end of the match. The women’s final was weird when they were invited to pick up their own trophies at the end because they couldn’t be handed to them

A good start from Sascha

Fizzy I know what you mean. It doesn't quite feel right.

But I will take that, if it means the absence of Djok.

I agree fizzy it feels very strange.....must be very weird to play.

Sasha looks like he means business today but Dom's waking up a bit now.

Evening all.

I only just realised the time! Just tuned in. Is Thiem feeling the pressure of being the favourite do you think??

It's nice to watch a final where I really don't mind at all who wins. I suppose, marginally, I might got for Dom- he's older, has been in more finals. Sascha probably hasn't played all that well this tournament.

But I don't mind.

Sascha doing well at the moment- his serve is better than it has been.

Double break....didn't see that coming!

Private I wonder that. It's different playing Rafa or Djok, where no -one really expects as much.

Dom said he would ask Murray's advice if he lost another final (Andy won his first GS on the 5th attempt). .

private I think so maybe....he's never been the favourite before.....he seems relaxed but think he's been a bit tentative this first set.

Woah that was quick.

Yes I think Thiem is definitely feeling the weight of expectation

Sascha seems transformed - not really what I expected

Yes it's weird isn't it - a different kind of pressure.

I actually really want Domi to win. He'd better hang onto his serve here.

Fizzy no, tbh, I kind of expected an easy start at least for Dom.

I love how Tim is always so encouraging with his comments when people come in to the net

This is not quite what I expected.

I don't mind though. Sascha might be able to pay some one to do the laundrey, if he wins.

raahh