TENNIS - high on a mountain in Torino the season comes to a close

[JaneJeffer]

Yes I agree Raahh on all points!

Poor JAck- his leg is going now.

Ice it's the thing that sets Rafa apart from - well, pretty much everyone in slams. His stamina, and ability to push through even when he isn't playing very well.
In 3 set matches, he doesn't have the time to turn things round.

On the plus side, I like Jack's kit- it's a nice colour
Tiafoes' kit is great- really colourful and sleeveless

And i've just read that Kyrgios has withdrawn from the tournament. Well, his singles match anyway.

Hurrah!

He has a knee injury apparently. So I guess he's out of the doubles too. I'm not much of a Kokkinasis fan either, but unlucky for him. Dick must have had some idea that he was injured before the 11th hour, though(and the draw was already made).

What an anticlimax. Feel bad for Jack. Not shedding any tears for Krygios!

Ice oh no tears here- bit early to crack open the champagne in rainy Manchester.

Stanhas won his first set. But it's not going so well in the second.

It is a shame for Jack, it would have been good for him to have a decent run here. Obviously very pleased Rafa is through though!

I have also discovered I can watch Eurosport on my tablet via Sky Go so I’m happy!

Felix having a bad day at the office!

Chessie Rafa really needed this win, he has been on such a losing streak, losing now would have set him back- however positive he is. And no, not a good start at all for Felix.

I haven’t watched any tennis yet - well done Rafa - I kept looking at the scores throughout the night and it looked a bit dicey at one point - it’s a shame for Jack

Oh dear that’s a shame about Kyrgios- Djok has also cancelled his training session but I still don’t trust him …

Might watch some tennis in a bit - if only to check out the kits!

Also well done to Emma - glad she managed to get through the first round

Djok cancelling practice sessions does sound like playing mind games. None of us trust him, do we ?

I am not so keen on Stef's shorts. Can't quite make out what they are- from a distance they look like a floral 80s sofa pattern. It's probably just splodges.

I said to DH that Djok was playing mind games Raahh! He’s cried Wolf too many times - right I really need to get up!

Iga is having a tough first set against Niemeier although looks like she might take it now.

I had to go out for a bit- Felix has taken the second set I see, but really not making things easy for himself.

Looking quite straightforward for Stef, bit less focused in the 3rd.

Looks like Iga is having a couple of wobbles, though she took the set.

Stan's match is very tospy turvy.

I saw that Stan lost I think he may have served for the match in the 4th set?

Is Tiafoe trying to distract his opponents? Appalling outfit!

Good news about Dick. I just wish his new best mate would bugger off aswell!

I've just seen a clip of where the ball boy took Rafa's good racquet away by mistake instead of the one that needed restringing

kazzaI'd be more distracted by Big Foe's biceps He was looking good.

Was a shame about Stan- it was a very up and down match.

Jane oh dear- that's not a mistake you want to be making

Yes, I saw that clip. It looked like Rafa was ok about it after the initial shock

Imagine the stringer looking at it thinking Rafa is a right fusspot

I woke up at 4:30 - just in time to see the end of the first set for Rafa/Jack. I've been okay all day but it's catching up with me now!

Also saw a bit of Harris/Musetti on my lunch break - but had to go just as they started the match tiebreak!

Not sure what's worth watching/at a decent time tomorrow. I'd quite like to see Andy/Matteo, but 2:30 is definitely too early!

The highlights are on Eurosport at the moment but I haven't had time to watch them.

Rafa said anecdotic. Be still my beating heart.

Rafa-ish will always be lovely.

He looked so happy , talking about baby Rafa and his new family life. He just wants to play as long as he can. And I wish people would shut up with the constant retirement rumours (they wish).

He is lovely - he did look so happy talking about Baby Rafa

According to the tennis podcast he was early into his pre tournament press conference and shook all of the note taker’s hands - he is a good human person. He also says ‘that’s the true’ which I like