TENNIS thread- Rome is coming to an end and it's nearly time to pack for Paris!

[Raahh]

Meanwhile , it's not looking good for Casper, but Jannik is looking very solid

( most annoying is the fact Tommy Paul is through to the semi final already. )

Forza!

I wonder if it’s raining on the outside courts - although it’s always nice to see a bit of Rafa

I hope we will get to see Holger. It’s like Wimbledon sticking him out on Court 18 all the time!

No, the matches are in play. Hubi is a set up against Fonseca.

TNT are just crap.

No I think they’re just not showing live tennis

The only actual coverage being shown, is via the TNT red button at far as I can see.

Yes Raahh I agree! As much as I like Rafa I would rather be watching live tennis (I definitely don’t want to listen to JC waffling on!)

oh great - they’re showing him losing to Robin Soderling

And even then- only 2 matches are being shown on the red button.

It's a shambles. I'm getting 'Early days of Prime' flashbacks.

I’ve switched over for Emmerdale but it’s so annoying that we can’t get discovery+ coverage in Ireland when we could last year and Sky keep increasing their prices

When they increased the amount for Discovery+ from 6.99 to 30.99, I couldn't justify it. We already have TNT (probably because Dh got it added for some football thing).

But it really is garbage. They have several available channels- and seem to only use 2 or 3.

From score watching, it looks like Hubi hasn't recovered from Geneva- and is in real danger of going out first round.

Gael is having an MTO. Oh no- the first game isn't even over!

Oh no Gael - I’ve given up on TNT and watching Nigella - she’s bonkers

The menfolk are out playing padel - I was invited but I prefer to experience my racquet sports from the safety of the sofa!

I'm not sure Gael is going to last the distance at this rate. Which will mess up this night schedule.

I think Ben Shelton was supposed to be on tomorrow’s night match but his opponent has withdrawn which is probably why Holger has ended up there

Perish the thought of putting a women’s match on the night session!

Very wise Fizzy. !

Meanwhile Nigella is sharing the contents of her liquorice box

looks like Fonseca is going to win quite soon.

Hubi is mounting an 11th hour comeback though.

Well done Joao. Shame Hubi had to meet him so early, really.

Gael mustn't want an early night after all, since he's taken the lead in the 3rd set.
Which will give the fans a lot to cheer about .

It’s still going

Gael matches are so often like this- he seems out of it totally, loses sets horribly, and then somehow gets back into it. I've seen it so often , over the years.
At the start of this match, I didn't think he would finish the first game.

He must be a really frustrating player to face!

And he always seems to be on late!

Yup, Gael loves the late matches.

I suppose this is where the argument against putting a women's match on the night session comes in- and we have discussed it before.
It would have to be a big name to justify the ticket price- but at this stage of the tournament , chances are the match would be short, and one sided. Not always, but it's more likely.

But tennis is unpredictable.

This match was nearly over in the first 5 minutes.

Does the winner of this play Draper?

He will be hoping this just goes on and on.
.I can't see Gael doing this again ( if he wins).