TENNIS: Hard court season continues. Scream if you want to go faster.

[JaneJeffer]

Carlos has to play twice!

to Rafa

Now come on Carlos - let's keep this tie alive (no pressure!)

I had to take the dog out.

I don't have anything to drink , actually - but Rafa- and I will have a proper toast when I do finally have adrink on Friday (mulled wine at the Christmas market

Couldn't even watch but I'm in bits

Well done Carlos!

Good to see Rafa on the bench supporting him - the rest of the team were strangely subdued when Rafa was playing - maybe they were overwhelmed by the occasion and didn't really know what to do

Rafa looks like he would reallyrather be somewhere else, than watching this.

I think it must have been such an odd feeling- they couldn't not let him play, but I think a loss was always on the cards, really. And they will have known how disappointed Rafa would be to let the team down.

Yes it has all been strange Raahh

I wonder if they will do a farewell thing for Rafa - it would be OK I think if Spain won the whole thing but a bit strange if they did it after losing

My TV is telling me that I've been watching it for too long

Well done Carlos!

I think we all need a Rafa hug!

Hope that they can win the doubles now

I’m not sure the doubles is going Spain’s way. Koolhof is so good.

Is anyone watching the doubles?

Netherlands have taken the first set - this could be it for Spain (and Rafa) in the Davis Cup (I was going to have an early night tonight)

I’m watching Fizzy!

Yes hello Ice!

Koolhof is playing very well but Spain have just broken - Rafa is very animated

Come on Spain!

If it's one set all will there be one of those weird third set tiebreak thingies?

I don’t think Rafa has a future in coaching. Whatever the opposite of a poker face is, that’s what he has.

I believe it’s three proper sets Fizzy, but I could be wrong.

That makes me feel a bit better if it's a proper third set Ice (if it gets that far)

This is quite stressful! Poor Carlos must be tired

I'm watching and was wondering the same thing - third set or tiebreak to 10?

Spain need to stop playing balls to Koolhof, he's not missing much!

It is stressful because if they lose Rafa will feel responsible, and I don’t want that for him.

Damn

I know I don't want that for Rafa either

There were no guarantees that another player wouldn't also have lost to Botic though

Bollocks!

Unbelievable Carlos!

Damn!
Rafa looks shell-shocked.