Tennis: Clay Swing Continues - check your altitude

[JaneJeffer]

I had to go out- today seems to be the battle of the Russians- first Rublev/KAren now Daniil and Karatsev.

I think Wispa should go and join AC in the cupboard in the 02 that they left him in after the last London WTFs .
Though I'm beginning to think AC is far preferable to her.

I love that 'the altitude' gets it's own feature on the podcast.
The commentators talk about it all the time- as though we are supposed to know why it makes such a difference. I'm not convinced they really know

Daddy Carlos has to do his counselling again

I suppose really it's not that strange for Daniil to be losing on clay- and Karatsev is a bit of a dark horse, he did so well the other year.

Daniil is complaining about the shadow? It must be quite annoying. It's the wrong kind of shadow. Not really sure what he thinks they can do about it though - get some clouds? Laura is finding it quite funny.

Daddy Carlos is having to deal with naughty Medvedev today!

I don’t think they could really explain what effect the altitude has Raahh - apparently it helps some players and not others

I sometimes think that I miss AC but usually 5 minutes into listening to him soon puts a stop to that

Ooh Karatsev has taken the first set - I think Daniil has called the supervisor out to complain about the shadow and the size of the court - he’s having a right old rant! Carlos has really had enough now

I’m hoping to see some of the Sascha/Alcaraz match later - hopefully it will be on at 3pm as advertised

And would he be complaining if he was winning?

X post - I’m a slow typer!

Probably not Raahh

The rant about the court was pretty funny- he wasn't interested in listening to anyone, just wanted a good old moan

The shadow is pretty annoying - they should just rebuild the whole stadium!

Carlos is probably thinking- please can I have one straightforward match

Daniil has gone for clay coloured shoes. So from a distance it's like he has no feet

Carlos will be charging extra for his counselling sessions - bet he wishes he was just dealing with Rafa and his back to front shorts

Fizzy at least Rafa had a legitimate gripe.

I mean, shadows, ffs

And Aslan takes it. So both 'underdogs' won the Russian battles- since I imagine Rublev was favourite over Khachanov.

The shadows finally got to Daniil - well done Aslan - I always think of Narnia when I hear his name!

it's a great name.

Oh dear- more grief with ADF, who didn't challege in time.

The umpires will be going on strike at this rate.

Wispa and Robbie commentating on the Alcaraz/Zverev match.

Oh dear I’ve just put it on and ADF is having a moan at the umpire - Coric is having a medical time out

Some of the rules can be a bit vague and I’m not sure that all of the players fully understand them. Hopefully the umpires do but I always find the challenge rule a bit confusing eg when a point has to be replayed or if it is an outright winner - I am easily confused though

Even Andy Murray didn’t know about a certain rule a few weeks ago and he seems like the sort of person who knows the rule book off by heart!

Wispa and Robbie - eek!

I’m just watching the coric/ADF tiebreak. Coric looks like a completely different person with his surfer dude hairstyle!

The rules around the challenges Fizzy are obviously not clear- so many of the players have fallen foul of them this week.

I didn't realise just how different Coric looked, until I saw his 'ATP' picture, with his very short hair!

Oh, button it, Wispa.

ADF has taken the first set - I want to watch both matches! (Although the Robbie/Wispa combo could put me off the Sascha/Alcaraz match)

Oh God it’s Mo as well

It is a shame both these matches are on at the same time.