Tennis - waiting for Australian Open

[magimedi]

And longing for lots of chat!!

The scheduling this year is a bit strange (so far)- but in the absence of Fed- who always gets a night match on Laver- maybe they aren't so bothered who plays when..
They have gone with the RG model (French players get top billing)of putting (relatively unknown/ not that good)Aussies on at 'prime' time.

Been doing the usual catching up thing- and see Kenin is out.
Stefanos in a a bit of a battle with Kokkinakis- bit of a dark horse, Thanasi- since he has a good game, but has had a lot of injury problems.

My favourite Norwegian Ruud is through.
Be interesting to see what matches get shown later- Gauff is on before Nadal (I hope her match isn't too long, or it could be a 'late' one). Medvedev is playing in the evening session too, and De Minaur.

Feli Lopez survived a 5 set match against Sonego.
I'm actually a bit nervous-maybe it would be better for my nerves to just wake up to the news Rafa has won over night, than actually watch? .

Ash Barty is through- that's good, I really like Ash.

she used to play cricket
.

Yes, I'm catching up now aswell. Great result for Feliciano to come back from 2 sets to love down. Apparently, he's playing a record 75th straight Grand Slam, dating back to 2002! Judy will be pleased

I was up early watching Tsitsipas-Kokkinakis, the fourth set was really good, great fightback from Kokkinakis in the tiebreak. I was noting the Brownie uniform

Brilliant from Lopez

I just can't un-see the Brownie uniform now, Private it's so funny.
Great effort from Kokkinakis- I only saw the last set and a bit, but it looked like a good match.

I wonder how waffly Stef will be in his interview?

Oh- he's going to make it short and simple.

Bless him.

It was a great effort from Kokkinakis definitely, so good to hear the crowd support etc as well - quite emotional!

I always join in this thread this time of year as I live in Melbourne. I wasn't going to go this year as I'm not convinced it was a great idea to go ahead with the tournament but cracked a couple of days ago and got tickets for Saturday afternoon.

Hi Startup that sounds brilliant, yes I think I'd feel the same! Hope you have a brilliant time. I'm not at all jealous, no

Startup Evening!
Enjoy Saturday- it looks like everyone is having a good time over there- it's funny for us seeing so many people (even though the stands aren't full ).

Depending on how long the Gauff match lasts, I might end up missing the beginning of the Nadal one. Really must walk the dog (too cold though)- but can't at the moment due to live lessons and things that need me around.

I really don't want to go out.

Rain?? Roof?? Oh ffs. That means Rafa will be under the roof- they are not likely to open it again once it's shut.

(Sorry - that was from the commentary on the Norrie match that I just flipped over to have a quick look at).

Hello Startup no I’m not jealous either (not one little bit!) Enjoy Saturday!

I saw that the Gauff match had been delayed - have they closed the roof?

It will be a late one for Rafa - I’m hoping to be able to watch some of it in between work meetings. DH is also at home which isn’t very helpful or conducive to watching tennis

Hope that Rafa is ok - on the Tennis Podcast they didn’t think he looked convincing even though he won his last match quite easily - might be best if I can’t watch it!

I'll post a photo on Saturday. We are lucky to be out and about. Our lockdown last year was very long and hard and we are thinking very much of friends and family in UK.

I have had a weird change of heart re Kyrgios. He was always so obnoxious until last year when he became a voice of reason.

It has been weird Kyrgios being the voice of reason Startup - I do still find him obnoxious though but quite enjoying his beef with Djok (at least he’s not having a go at Rafa for a change). Djok is so sensitive that it’s probably really bothering him

Things are looking up - my meeting has been cancelled and DH has set the iPad up for me so I can watch Rafa! He’d better win after all this

Rafa’s opponent carries off the sleeveless look quite well

We have Frew. That's disappointing. He
Yes, Mmoh looks good sleeveless .

My mother rang, so I missed a chunk of this, so I don't know what pearls of wisdom there have been from Frew.

Medvedev seems to be involved in a relatively straightforward match- a tighter second set.

Ooh- woman in the crowd making gestures because she has been told to shut up.

What an idiot. I think security are trying to get her to leave. She's being almost carried out. It's not fair really- Rafa is laughing, but it is distracting.

I think someone’s been enjoying themselves a bit too much

Don’t worry Raahh you’ve not missed any of Frew’s pearls of wisdom - my brain has learnt to tune him out a bit like Jim Courier!

Well done Rafa!

Fizzy

'Unfriendly gestures' very dipomatic, Mischa.

Hope you have a lovely time on Saturday Startup.

I see Heather is out.

Lovely news that Caroline Wozniaki is expecting a baby girl in June.