TENNIS THREAD- The Clay season continues- onwards to Paris, via Madrid and Rome...

[Raahh]

and a few smaller tournaments in between....

The big question at the moment is- will Medvedev ever win a match on clay??

well, he's levelled the match- but it's close.

meanwhile- Karatsev is ahead in the 3rd set against Diego.

I think this might be Daniil's first win at Madrid, because DF might go off the boil a bit now- he did a bit if that second set, and losing the set might rattle him. Daniil might find a bit of 'clay' form .

And Diego is out.

If Daniil goes out too, then the bottom half of the draw will be very open. Most of the 'names' will be left in the top half- Rafa, Thiem, Zverev, Rublev dirtball Dan.

Tsitsipas is in the bottom half, I think.

Medvedev does seem to have got to grips with this match- or maybe it's just that DF has lost it. He was playing really well.

Hi Raahh
Thanks for the new thread

Just catching up on the day's results so far...

Afternoon Private.

I think it's safe to say, Daniil might be celebrating his first win in Madrid today. It's a shame- DF was toe to toe with him for the first two sets really.

Yes it's looking that way isn't it? I didn't see the first two sets but looking pretty convincing now.

Thanks for the new thread Raahh

I think it’s strange that Karatsev is 27 - where has he been hiding? (And yes I bet quite a few players probably wish he was still hiding!)

Fizzy it's really odd- he was a hitting partner at the ATP cup, apparently (Medvedev called him their secret weapon)- but the doubles matches he played there- he lost. Then he turns up at the Aussie open, and beats a bunch of top players- and hasn't looked back.

And Daniil has won- feel a bit sorry for DF. Medvedev will have to do better against Garin who is very good on clay.

Oh, Barty is racing ahead against Kvitova.

I do like Petra. I like them both. .

Thanks for the new thread Raahh

Hopefully will get to see Rafa today!

I'm hoping I get to see the Rafa match- unfortunately it is on at an awkward time.

The ATP site are calling it 'a showdown' . Erm... Alcaraz is probably going to be a good a player in the future, but let's not get ahead of ourselves- it's hardly Roger and Rafa at Wimbledon 2008, is it? .

Hope not

Yes I don’t want too much excitement this afternoon

Players are now younger than my youngest DS - I’m feeling old!

I'm score watching from the car. 11 minutes for the first 2 games. Rafa really does take his time to get going.

Alcaraz might be injured - would be such a shame if he has to retire - think he’s pulled his stomach - back playing now

It’s not all Rafa’s fault Raahh

Is Rafa going to let him have this game for his birthday?

Yes I think so Jane

Phew - he looks so young! (Well he is young). At least it won’t be a bagel

Feliz cumpleanos

Dirtball Dan is continuing in his quest to take Rafa’s crown - good win over Millman

Well, I've got home to see Rafa has won the first set.

Nice that Alcaraz has a game .