TENNIS: Never mind the snow, make like a seagull and catch some rays at the AO

[JaneJeffer]

Ooh. Fizzy

Think I need a cold shower now.

I've been trying to work out the Doha time difference ( 3 hours?) Assuming it will be on somewhere I can watch.

And assuming Rafa doesn't have to withdraw from the event - but I've seen a few pictures he seems happy.
He seems to be aiming for playing Indian Wells/Miami- I wouldn't be putting the clay season in jeopardy again . But he must know what he is doing.

Oh dear I always worry when Rafa goes to Indian Wells - it never seems to end well but he does look happy training so hopefully everything will be ok

I also think he should just hold out for the clay season and maybe have a good send off at RG or the Olympics

It did say that Doha would be on Tennis TV but I’m not sure if it will be shown anywhere else?

It just seems odd- I read something from his team where they were justifying why his first tournament back was on a hard court and not on clay (Rio, the same week, is on clay, I think) - and they said it was so he would have to swap back again at IW/Miami. They aren't particularly successful events for him- I'm not sure why he would risk injury and the chance to play on his best surface later on and most successful 'home' tournaments. It's happened before.

But what do I know? .

I see there's a two part programme on (our) Boris, starting on Tuesday on ITV. Don't know if it's the one already shown on Prime/Netflix/wherever??

Oh, I'm not sure, kazza will have to look out for that.

Meanwhile,Ostapenko has just won in Linz, and Bublik is 2 -0 up in his match (with a break), Not sure if they will show that now that Jelena's match has ended?

Well, that's answered my question, we've gone straight to Bublik- no trophy presentation for Jelena.

Borna back to short hair after his surfer dude hair do from lat year.

Borna is racquet smashing today.

(He is looking at going 5-1 down)

And now it's 4-3 !

Considering it was Coric who seemed to be heading for defeat not long ago, it's quite a turnaround he's got the break at 6-5.

I expect Bublik's racquet's may not be safe at the end of the set

Can't keep up with this match 1 set all now

Just tuned in

Bublik must have somewhere to be

It has been a funny match. I thought he had the first set won, then lost it, after Borna had a strop.

And it's been a bit back and forth ever since.

Borna dressed to match his surroundings

Well done Sasha

Well done Bublik!

His coach got a bigger hug than his wife.

The coach gets a bigger cuddle than his wife

The mafia has arrived

I like these trophies

Trophy looks like a pizza tray. The runner up one is nicer. Has sparkly bits.

He needs to put it behind his head like a halo

The sound is terrible