Tennis - waiting for Australian Open

[magimedi]

And longing for lots of chat!!

Maybe not Raonic then.

Tsitsipas- that's the other one!

Only two British men in the draw and they're playing each other in the first round
DH asked if the draw was random
Dan is the no 30 seed and he's just had a good win over Coric but I have a feeling Norrie may beat him. Whoever progresses to the 3rd round is due to meet Rafa private
DH says at least GB is guaranteed a bloke in the second round

Also see Stan didn't play his quarter final today. Hope nothing is wrong.

I watched the start of the Thiem /Paire match, before Benoit withdrew, injured. Then the doubles were taking too long to start, and I had to get DD2 started on live lesson, so I gave up.

I see Katie Boulter took Osaka to 3 sets in her match, so not a bad effort from her. I think she faded in the 3rd.

I'm not sure what happened with Stan, I hope he is ok. I think a number of players a facing a race against time to be fit for AO.

Bloody hell, Dan Evans Draw is a Murderer’s Row of Players you wouldn’t want to meet in a Slam!

Nadal, Djokovic, Tsitsipas, plus a tricky first match against a fellow Brit!
😱

He is in good form, though. Two great matches to reach the Semi Final against Chardy, which is winnable. Chardy is a streaky player but he never gives up.

Dan looks super fit and I’m delighted to see him playing so well.

So happy that Serbia got beaten by Germany in the ATP Cup. Did everyone see Djerk smashing his racquet against the players seating area? Prat.

He is the only player I wish bad things for, you know like those Tom and Jerry cartoons where someone gets an iron in the face?🤣🤣

Re the withdrawals, I think there is a courtesy of citing an ‘injury’ but the reality of losing a day’s play for additional quarantine means the big names are protecting themselves for the Open itself.
The warm up tourneys, whilst welcome, were laid on to allow the players to maximise their preparation.

Dan Evans, an ATP Champion at last!🏆

So thrilled for him. Won the title without dropping a set, against some quality opposition. Rises to career high of No 26.

The top 20 beckons, I’m sure.

Exhausted already and the Open doesn’t start for another 18 hours. 😴Delighted to have top flight tennis back in my life.

Well done Dan - that’s a good win for him so hope he can do well at the AO

I haven’t managed to watch hardly any of the tennis this week - there were too many tournaments to keep up with but I see that Russia won the ATP cup

Luckily I’ve managed to avoid seeing Djerk - yes he is very annoying Science. I did enjoy seeing Rafa and his animated eyebrows when he was supporting Spain in the ATP cup earlier in the week

We have more snow . I was talking to my DM on the phone yesterday - she was moaning about AC - she hates him even more than kazza does

Wise woman, your DM fizzy

Fantastic week for Dan! Let's hope he continues and beats Cam on Tuesday Saw his trophy was a large boomerang

Ash Barty got a wooden wombat on a plinth for her trophy

Jamie Murray and Soares won their doubles aswell.

Andy Murray is really not happy with the National Tennis Centre, blaming them for an apparent easing of covid protocols for him (and the rest of his family) catching coronavirus and having to miss Australia. Dan has agreed with him.

Took the Brits at the AO test on the BBC website. The one I got wrong was the Kyle Edmund question. Couldn't believe that Grigor was as high as no.3 seed only three years ago

I loved Ash Barty's trophy. I think I want a wooden wombat.

I was disappointed that the finals were played early ( not evening session like last year, because I definitely got to see the final). But it's a tight turnaround with AO starting tomorrow I suppose.

I am not looking forward to the prospect of more snow. I'm hoping the Manchester weather shield works this time.

Ah I'm pleased for Dan as well.

I saw the wombat trophy - that's got to be one of the best winners' trophies around! (Along with the pear - is that Acapulco?? And the Cincinnati vase of course).

kazza I know re Grigor, remember that semi final against Rafa - was that 2017?? Such a great match. Am off to do the AO quiz now...

Thanks for the tip off on the Grigor question kazza I got the Jamie Murray question wrong though.

I did think after I posted that I'd given away an answer

Catching up on some results... My pre tournament fave Milkman is out already he did have a tricky draw v Moutet though. That'll teach me to make predictions (or will it?!).

Kerber is out, bit of an upset there. Stan is through though.

Just watching a bit of PCB v Keith...

Was just catching up myself, and was coming on to say about Milkman. That's a real shame, after his loss last year.
Also , about Kerber, I really like her.
Hopefully whatever was ailing Stan was not serious.
I see Venus is through- I think that is her first slam first round win in ages. (and I had convinced myself she had retired!).

I've got Dimitrov and Cilic- Grigor has toned down his 'look' considerably this year .

Yes I'm watching that now too. I wonder if he brought the spotty tracksuit though?!

I kind of miss the spotty tracksuit. It might cheer things up a bit.
He could have a matching mask.

Maybe he would end up looking like Mr Tumble. .

Marin had chances in this set- but threw them away.

It's a funny first round match- Cilic was a finalist only 3 years ago, and has lost his way big time since then. And Grigor has fought his way back into the top 20 in the same period.

It has potential to be a big upset (if Marin can get back into it).

Poor Marin.

That was a brutal first round draw for him.
Happens a lot to Grigor in slams, getting a big name. Usually Stan . .

It's strange seeing him signing autographs- I wouldn't have thought that was allowed. I assume he has his own pen? .

And poor Keith is out. Not been a good couple of years for him.

That’s a shame about Millman and just seen that Marin has gone out - his fall has been quite spectacular really - so sad

Quite disappointed about Grigor not bringing the spotty onesie back!

I thought that the AO was on Amazon but can’t seem to see it anywhere?

We have more snow and more is forecast - getting really fed up of it now! Oh well will just have to stay in and watch tennis although Djok might be on next - I think Rafa is on in the very early hours of tomorrow morning - hope his back is ok

Yes, Rafa is scheduled for 2.30am (our time), which is disappointing, and I keep checking to make sure he hasn't withdrawn injured already .

I do not want to wake up in the morning to find he lost in the first round.
I've just seen the pictures of Djok smashing his racquet after Serbia lost the Cup. I've avoided them til now. He really lost it. I don't know how he keeps getting away with it.
He's starting to make Kyrgios look like a choir boy.

Just watching Kvitova- Shaggy is playing Sinner next- that has popcorn potential. .

Yes I feel for Marin, he did look like he was going to make a bit of a comeback in that third set but just couldn't quite do it. He did hit some really good winners, but Grigor was a bit more consistent.

Just been listening to Halep speaking after her match. She's playing doubles - I've not looked at the doubles draws I must say.

Shapo v Sinner should be good later, I hope Sinner has had a good rest as he won one of he warm up events just yesterday (or was it Saturday?! I'm already confused by the time difference and it's only day 1)

Morning all!

It was a tough first round for Marin.
Monfils and Benoit are also out.
Zverev has also smashed another racquet. He's going through them at a rate of knots. Let's hope he doesn't run out

Talking of dodgy outfits, I see Serena has come up trumps again. A black and fluorescent pink one legged catsuit Apparently, her inspiration is Flo Jo - wasn't it rumoured that she took performance enhancing drugs, which contributed to her early death (allegedly)