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

[JaneJeffer]

Nice to acknowledge the crowd- sticking around again for a late night.

I do still smile when I remember her getting cross in her first match at 'late' RG 2020. It was cold- but she she was dressed for the Arctic.

Jane I was thinking 'oh dear'- putting her foot in mouth is a bit of thing with Vika

I'm not playing

I'm looking forward to seeing more of Zhu in the future.

I know, it was great. I think her opponent was wondering what was going on. I think very few players would have the nerve to be as vocal as Azarenka about stuff like that.

Been score watching- sad to see Caroline Garcia go out . Rublev/Rune match into a 5th set- RBA / Tommy Paul just started. First game of that taking a while!

Disappointing loss in the doubles for Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram.

Tense in the Rublev/Rune match- 9-9 in the deciding tie break.

Don't mind who wins really, will be a shame for whoever loses.

Not a good start for RBA- lost the first set 6-2.

And Rublev takes it- I do feel sorry for Rune- I think he will take the loss quite badly, he was serving for the match at one stage, and well up on the tie break, but well done to Andrey.

Shelton has beaten Wolf- can'r say I'v eever seen Shelton play- could be another all US match in the next round if RBA loses to Paul.

USA are having a moment, players wise. There was a brief period when they had hardly any top 50 players (Mac was concerned ). It's all looking pretty healthy for them now. Lots of good upcoming young players- and very solid 'older ones' (who are only about 25 ).

I don’t feel too sorry for Rune, he’s young and will have plenty of chances. Also, he’s a bit of a brat

I saw both Shelton and Wolf play in Auckland (not against each other) and they were both pretty impressive, although I think Shelton is the bigger talent. Apparently it’s his first time outside the US ever, seems like a pretty successful trip!

I like Rune- he's bratty, but in a more constructive way.than the Australian I will not name. If that makes sense. . And anyone who beats Djok when he thinks he's got a tournament sewn up, is ok by me.

RBA has a set, so that's good . I have to go out again. Mornings are rubbish

I came back to see RBA had lost a set , and seemed to have done a runner. Not sure if it was a lengthy bathroom break, or medical timeout (if bathroom break, no doubt someone will moan about it later).

Turned over to hear them still wittering about Djok's 'injury' although he is 3-0 up in the second set and won the first 6-3. So really hampered by that injury then.
We know he is going to win the tournament - and just like 2021, any talk of injuries is just a load of rubbish.

We're getting a 'when did Americans win things' quiz on the RBA match commentary.

Haven’t managed to watch any tennis today but seen that Djok won easily (again) - hopefully Rublev can push him a bit more

I heard that about Shelton Ice - it’s pretty amazing that a tennis player hasn’t travelled outside his country - luckily it doesn’t seem to have been too much of a culture shock for him!

Stef v Lehecka tomorrow morning could be an interesting one to watch - I’m trying to get everything done today so hopefully will be able to watch it

I've got to the stage, where I think the only player left who can realistically push Djok is Stef- but Lehecka has been playing very, very well. And players who have pretty much nothing to lose (and everything to gain- like Stef himself beating Roger in 2019) are dangerous.

I would love to think Andrey could beat Djok - and he has done in the past year- and in Belgrade!- but it's a big ask.

Unless Djok trips over his feet and gets proper injury.

We can but hope Raahh
Unfortunately, I can't see anything stopping Djok. It's f*ing depressing

kazza I know.

And when he does win, he will no doubt be called 'superhuman' for playing with an injury.

(I know Rafa did at RG- but his was a) real and b) he was very up front about both the foot inury and level of treatment it needed, plus the fact it was not sustainable long term).

Sad to see Korda retire from his match- a wrist injust apparently . The first set was close, then the second went quickly- next time I checked the scores , the match had vanished, so I guessed there was a problem. Hope it is not too serious, Seb has has a really good start to the year.

Just got in to see Vika serving for the set- but aking a bit of a meal of it, having lead comfortably for most of the start of the set. She will not be happy if she throws this away.
And back on serve!

Well done Vika!

'Robbie' is running out of caption ideas over on the AO website-

'Sebastian pulls the Korda'

oh dear .

(I want than job).

Half an eye on the Stef/Lehecka match, as I have 'things to do'.

Lehecka giving Stef a lot more of a match in this second set. He's missed a few chances though, and played some silly shots - like tweeners- at crucial moments.

Giving the crowd more to watch though.

Djok has been whinging in an interview that no-one questions other players injuries, only his.
Er, I beg to differ Djok- every time Rafa is injured, there are comments that he's doing it to avoid playing - Roger/Djok/Kyrgios/faking/doping/lying etc'

Bloody idiot.