Tennis - So long New York, Ciao Roma

[JaneJeffer]

And it's all over. Seemed to be an epic battle in the final set. Happy for Domi but sad for Sascha!

Well, that didn't turn out how I expected, when I fell asleep!
Poor Sascha- I'm sure there will be other chances.
Well done to Dom though, probably not quite how he might have wanted to win a slam- in front of hardly anyone- but at least he's won one now!

Wow well done Domi - poor Sascha - it must have been heartbreaking to lose on a fifth set tiebreak.

Well done Jane for managing to stay awake!

What happened there then?! I thought Thiem was coming back into it when he won the third, it had become more of a contest, but I still thought Zverev would win at that point - just because Thiem looked shattered.

Anyway good on him, he deserves a Slam after those four finals!

Now who's looking forward to Rome?!

Me Spidey - can’t wait! I should (hopefully) be able to stay awake for Rome!

It looks as if Rafa is playing PCB tomorrow - PCB has obviously had more recent match practice than Rafa - wonder if that will make a difference?

I read that Rafa had been practising with your mate Casper Raahh

I didn't watch any of the final because I had a bad headache yesterday evening. Was score watching every now and then and went to bed at 3-3 in the third. Am a bit surprised at seeing the result this morning but not totally. As has been said, there have been some topsy-turvy matches this fortnight and sometimes Sascha doesn't seem mentally strong enough to finish the job once doubts and niggles set in

Well done Dom. The Red Bull saw him through in the end

Not surprised at all that both have pulled out of Rome.

Speaking of which, is Rome on Prime, does anyone know?

I think so kazza - it better be, I'm depending on it!!

Hope your headache has gone now.

Has anyone seen the speech Sascha made after the final? I hear it was v emotional. He usually makes good speeches. I'm going to try and watch the last set later.

Fizzy that's a tough draw for Rafa for his first match back. I am also wondering about recent match play vs not. It's bound to be a factor in some matches.

Private good old Casper .

Hope your head is better today, Kazza.

I am assuming Rome is on Prime. It had better be on somewhere I can watch, at any rate. I stand a better chance of staying awake for matches now they are back in a reasonable time zone.

Very tricky match back for Rafa- that is really unfortunate. PCB will be much more match fit. Having said that, Rafa probably knows PCB's game very well - so maybe it will be ok.

@PrivateSpidey

I think so kazza - it better be, I'm depending on it!!

Hope your headache has gone now.

Has anyone seen the speech Sascha made after the final? I hear it was v emotional. He usually makes good speeches. I'm going to try and watch the last set later.

Fizzy that's a tough draw for Rafa for his first match back. I am also wondering about recent match play vs not. It's bound to be a factor in some matches.

I've watched the speech - have tissues at the ready!

I’m going to watch the speech in a bit Red - I’m bracing myself. I usually like Zverev’s speeches - he’s very honest (sometimes too much so but he’s usually entertaining!)

Thanks Red - I thought it might be one of those!!

Coverage of Rome has started on Prime already

It does seem an start early for Rome doesn’t it Spidey? I think they’re an hour in front of us?

Just watched Sascha’s speech - very emotional especially when he was talking about his family. I sometimes forget how young he is - he’s only a few years older than my DS1. He looks absolutely distraught

Rome looks very odd without fans. Like they are just practicing.

Khachanov still wearing his luminous shorts, I see.
Casper has made a good start.

Coverage of RG usually starts at about 9.30am when that is on, since Paris is an our ahead. I imagine it's the same with Rome.

Mischa tweeted a lovely message for Sascha- with a picture of the two of them, which was sweet.

I think the runner up speeches by Zverev this year, and Medvedev last year, prove that some of the younger players are far more gracious in defeat than some of their more experienced counterparts.

Sascha's time will come- he just needs to develop more stamina for the big matches and keep up the same intensity throughout. I'm sure that is something Ferrer will be able to help him with- David never gave up. .

I don't think I've seen a final where both players are equally liked and congratulated in most of the comments. Says a lot about them.

Such lovely speeches by both men.
You're right it's easy to forget how young Sasha is, he's the same age as my eldest dd. He looked devastated but he was gracious and his insta posts were lovely.
Dom too.
I really wish neither had had to lose.

AA has made a very slow start in Rome.

Very long wait after the second set in the Khachanov/Ruud match. I think Casper has disappeared!

It feels like he has been gone over 10 minutes . For a toilet break. Bonkers. I'd be getting a bit fed up if I was Karen.

He's finally back.

Grigor's match is about to start- he has not disappointed, he is in the brigt pink version of the Andre shirt. It clashes a bit with the clay .

Is there anything more relaxing than watching a clay court tennis match being played on a sunny day in Rome, with no commentary?! It's lovely.

The best bit is when they water the court. I love it!

I like the court watering too.

Grigor is through.

Cilic is wearing the odd shorts again, that don't seem to quite fit. They look too short, just on one leg.
And Bublik has a Shaggy beard going on.

They seem a lot more lax about the time in Rome. Do they allow extra time for court watering? .