TENNIS thread - It's still Clay-time, and we're off on a European tour- next stop Barcelona, Madrid and Rome.- before landing in Paris.

[Raahh]

amongst other places it would have taken too long to put in the title.

Casper keeps over hitting his returns and Holger’s forehand is on fire today

Watch me jinx him

Yes, Holger seems very focused today.

Casper just doesn't seem to be able to figure Holger out- which considering his hth to against him, is strange.

Maybe Casper nose ring is failing

Wispa is winding me up.

If you are going to speak, speak up.

Casper’s team are trying to encourage him by using a variety of languages

Glad I stayed put

I don't blame you. The mumbling is so irritating.

Match point.

Well done Holger

Well done Holger. Disappointed for Casper though.

Great win for Holger but shame for Casper.

Well done Holger.

Not the best day for Casper. Needs to really get better over the next few weeks, or he will drop down the rankings a lot.

I'm 0 for 2 in matches today.

I'm not supporting anyone else .

Karen is going to be a tricky opponent for Holger

The ATP won’t be happy with Holger slagging them off

What's Holger saying about the ATP?

Hoping to watch Carlos vs Demon shortly, after I've sorted the washing and possibly flicked a duster around

He said they were hyping up the RuRu HTH too much and making a big deal of it

Stef doesn't look too well. Only 2 games in. And is a break down already. Arthur is playing well though, would be a shame if this match were to end like this.

Barcelona is where I always remember seeing Stef for the first time, in 2018- and then playing Rafa on a very gloomy Sunday in the final.

Oh dear. Stef has retired. Not even finishing 3 games

I had to go out and missed all the other matches. I was shocked to see Sascha had won because he was looking down and out. Hope Stef is ok, that’s a shame.

Sascha was struggling- I did think Tallon might sneak that one.

Did feel sorry for Stef.

Was Stef poorly? I wasn’t watching I just saw the scoreline

I’m hoping that I can watch some tennis today - the bathroom painting continues - anyone would think it was the Forth Bridge!

The Alcaraz documentary is on Netflix from Wednesday - I’m not sure if it’s too early for a documentary about him - no wonder he’s feeling the pressure

I like to watch tennis docs for the behind the scenes (and the messy bedrooms )

it was strange, Fizzy ,Stef looked ill (even though he's so tanned, it's wuite hard to tell)- and went off court after 2 games. I thought he looked like he might be sick- but they kept saying 'injury' though he seemed to be moving ok. Came back- and didn't even finish the 3rd game.

It will be very disappointing for him, since he has reached so many finals in Barca, and didn't defend MC. But whatever the issue, he didn't look good, and it was all over very quickly. .

According to a comment from David Ferrer , Stef had been complaining of lower back pain. Must have been very lowe to need to go off court, and not just get the physio out to pummel him on the floor.

I agree the Alcaraz documentary might be a bit early (things like this seem to jinx stuff and pre-empt a drop in form and drop off in results). Someone always wants to be first with the autobiographies etc.

And going back to the RG ceremony - I really hope there will be a big bonfire- Wicker Man style - with the ugly statue blazing in it. (Nobody inside it, though , that might be a bit too gory).

It could burn, symbolically, all fortnight. Like the Olympic torch.

Might smell a bit.