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

[Fizzywinegum]

New thread!

Come on Iga! I need Rafa’s match to start at 12!

Putintseva is favouring the skirt tucked into her knickers look today - it’s a very strange trend

Fizzy I had hope it had fizzled out- but after seeing Vika yesterday, and Putinseva today, it seems not!At least she only does the one side, and not both, like Azarenka (though i think she does it with shorts). it looks really odd.

Iga has listened to the call, to finish up for 12.

Maybe she wants to watch Rafa too ?

Or Hubi?? (she might be a bit torn!).

ADF had lost- he needs to go back to the Trevi fountain, where he proposed , and make a few wishes for his career I think. It has gone down hill a bit since he got engaged!

Here we go- big crowds again.

It looks hot in Rome! Although it’s quite hot here as well!

Vamos Rafa - wow

Rafa has started well- seems to be dealing with Hubi's serve- which is massive- and I don't think he has played him before? Clay is not Hubi's surface, but still a good start for Rafa.

11 minutes, and still on the first game.

Could be here all afternoon

Yes we could be in for a very long afternoon

Wish I was there - it’s packed!

I think Rafa said that he’s been holding back a bit because he’s scared of getting injured but he’s decided to go for his shots a bit more - wow amazing shot from Rafa!

I suppose he's got to the point where he either goes for it, or he will never really know if he could have won.

Hubi bit speedier that time!

I’d forgotten that a game could take less than 11 minutes

Well, after the lengthy start- it's not going well now for Rafa.

VAMOS I knew this would be tricky though.

Dickhead Djok!

Absolutely. Tosser.

Ugh.

I like Hubi, but VAMOS...this is not the script.

Rafa isn't really doing a lot wrong. But Hubi is a big server, and a big hitter. It's a different match to one's he has played til now.

Great shot.

It was a lot closer than 6-1 , really.

It was the break points that hurt Rafa.

Oh dear! Seems a lot closer than 6-1. Rafa will rue all those wasted break points.

Eek - can’t believe how quickly that turned round - well played Hubi - Rafa looks a bit shell shocked

I bloody hope they are not taking off Rafa to show Jack Draper- however much I love Daniil .

Oh, he's on after Rafa. Panic over.

X post, great minds Raahh

Rafa Jnr, more interested in his water.

It's a frustrating match really.