TENNIS- US OPEN finals weekend continues. Then it's onwards to Japan and China.

[Raahh]

Not the most exciting title.

I suppose Laver Cup and Davis Cup must be happening too soon.

I mean, they’ll all say that playing exhibitions isn’t anything like as taxing as an actual match, but when you take into account the transatlantic travel it seems like a lot. I can understand it for Emma because she hasn’t been winning tournaments and probably the extra money is quite attractive, but you can’t tell me Carlos needs the money.

No, Carlos does not need the money (and to be honest, given the fact Emma was one of the highest paid players in previous years despite hardly winning anything, I don't think she does either ). She has been losing sponsors though.

But it might be a contractual thing.

The 6 Kings Slam thingy is in a couple of weeks too.

If Carlos wins that, he doesn't have to play for a couple of months at least . (Think the winner gets $6million - for playing hardly anything).

I see Lore is in trouble for insulting the Chinese now. He said something about them always coughing. He has apologised and said he didn’t mean all of them just the ones sitting behind him. (Should I use a laughing or crying emoji?)

Oh blimey!

Oh dear.

Casper seems to be carrying on where he left off- I'm score watwhilst walking the dog.

Lore got through his match earlier- don't know what kind of reception he got.

Barbora krejcikova retired from her match, after starting well. She's withdrawn from the doubles too, so must be an injury issue.

Hooray Casper!

I know I shouldn’t jinx him, but I honestly think he could win this tournament. Carlos looked quite compromised yesterday with the ankle injury, and Taylor’s form has been ordinary.

Daniil has taken the first set against ADF in Beijing.

First set to Carlos - his ankle doesn’t seem to be bothering him too much

I quite like the way that his hair is growing out

Looks like Daniil has won.
Jasmine doing well against Kenin
Shame about Holger.

Carlos's hair is an interesting colour- if you wanted to do that deliberately, it would be very difficult!

Well done Jasmine!

Unlucky for Casper, playing as well has he has been, that he plays Carlos next. The injury doesn't seem to be bothering Carlos now.

Been a few walkovers/retirements overnight.
Mensik retired against AdM, Karen and Andrey retired in the doubles. Lois Boisson retired.

I do wonder if some of these are tactical. After all, Shanghai is due to start soon, and that has to be a priority for player like Andrey and Karen. If Jakub is slightly injured , he won't want to make that worse towards the end of the year - and he's qualified for the Next gen finals, so that will probably be a big pay day.

Just got back from walking the dog, and a fox came out from under my car. Dog went nuts . It's bin day, but still unusual to see a fox at this time.
(At first I thought it was a cat- but then realised it was an enormous cat [grin}

Looking forward to the Casper /Carlos match- would really like Casper to win, but it's a long shot.

Good win for Sonay earlier.

Yes, lots of retirements!
Good win for Sonay and Emma has just got the first set.
I'm not sure Karen and Andrey withdrew? Looks like they got a walkover on Cash and Glasspool, so not sure what's wrong with Julian or Lloyd?

Yes, I got my doubles retirement the wrong way around .

Not sure what the issue was. They are comfortably through to the tour finals, maybe they aren't wanting to risk things at this stage.

Although they might want a bit of match practice, given they have barely won a match since becoming No1!

True

Iga’s opponent Osiris also retired. Odd to see so many retirements.

Great to see a win for Sonay and Emma doing well so far against Jessica.

I do like Carlos. And I like Liam Broady.
But they are so biased towards Carlos in this match, it's almost as if Casper isn't there .

It's taken 3 games for Liam to acknowledge that maybe Casper is playing ok .

I don't know why so many people are writing off Casper. He's been playing great. And Carlos is clearly not 100%. He's won his last couple of matches by playing ultra aggressive and blasting winners, but that's a risky strategy.

Casper's match the other day was great- I've rarely seen him serve so well.

I know Carlos is a cut above- but, Casper is not some nobody.
I expect Carlos to win this- but then, he should.

They've already made a few excuses for Carlos- the ankle, not looking himself, when he's missed a point.
It's frustrating.

Tennis TV commentators said Casper's last match was statistically his best ever serving performance!