TENNIS - When in Rome - the clay court season continues!

[Fizzywinegum]

New thread!

It must be the evening for getting phone calls. I'm trying to watch tennis here!

It seems to be quite close, although Holger edged the first set. No phone calls here, thankfully.

Babsi is picking on Johnny Mac over on the other side

Who is coaching Holger at the moment, anyway? I can't keep up.

Babsy gives the men hell. I love it. Shame it's during the match though.

Patrick Mouratoglou Raahh

I thought it was- but to be honest, I wasn't sure if they lasted more than a week

I think the practice with Rafa did Holger good. Maybe his next coach?

That clay gets everywhere

Everyone who has practiced with Rafa over the last few days has said he played well- I think he was just unlucky not to be able to play himself into the tournament.

No shame in losing to Sascha- just would have been better if it had been a few matches later!

Sascha said so as well

Jane It was always my fear that Rafa would go to RG and lose in the first round- to either Djok, or an unknown qualifier. If he had to lose, I don't mind how he did. It felt like closure for both of them, for 2022.

Yep no shame in losing to Sascha. Mischa was interesting to listen to yesterday. He said Rafa's form has improved so much since he started back and he thinks he's going to get even better!

Good point Holger

Stupid ad break. Missed the ructions

Just switched on to hear the words Holger’s shenanigans and Dan is swearing at the umpire

I’m also pleased that Rafa didn’t play Djok in the first round - I think he did play well and just came across someone who was on a high from winning Rome and who’s had a lot more recent match practice

At least it wasn’t like when he lost in Rome - I think he can be happy with how he played

I wonder what sort of match it would have been if he’d played Alcaraz which was a definite possibility - Sascha managed to stay so calm

Well done Holger. I enjoyed that. It was very lively

Oh Paula is playing Katie next

I forgot Djok was on

Well done Holger.

I can't bring myself to watch Djok- I know PHH doesn't really stand much chance, (and he's a set down)but it would be great if he produced a miracle.. But as Babsi said before the match, after the medical issues with his youngest , I think his priorities may not really be tennis so much at the moment.

The other channel here is showing British Speedway Highlights

I much prefer this blue version of the Nike dress, to the orange-y version Aryna was wearing earlier. That was a bit '70s curtains'.

But now that I've put it on to see what it is they're actually showing the women's match

It's hard to tell them apart from this distance!

Well that's rubbish!