TENNIS thread- The Asian swing limps to a humid close- let's chuck away the ice towels and head to Europe.

[Raahh]

Via a couple of Exhibitions in Saudi Arabia.

Thread was coming to an end (if I can work out how to link it!).

Well done Lorenzo. Lore is in a right mood today!

Well done Soneco, gutted for Mussetti.

Well done Sonego, but sad for Musetti.

On the ATP instagram site, there's a thing (that I can't link to) with AdM, Fritz and Lore, who have puppets of themselves made - to take over from themselves when things get busy.

The puppets are very cute. Musetti needs that now.

It's called the Handovers.

I’ll have a look Raahh

DH is trying to watch the footie but the RB still only has audio 😂

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQZkQRKjJtO/?img_index=1

Not sure if that works - there is also a funny video of AdM proposing the idea to the others

Hilarious - the upside down headband

I'm not sure why they are so sure Lore is out of the race at this stage.

He is still ( by my reckoning) nearly 400 points ahead of Felix, who will be behind him, even if he wins the next match.

I suppose it's the fact Felix is still in, that gives him the edge. But it's not over for Lore yet.

(And I'm still pinning my hopes on Djok doing the decent thing and withdrawing before the event starts. Although, with all the injuries and illnesses about, he might fancy his chances ).

And there are a couple of question marks over Ben Shelton really, who didn't seem totally convincing in his last match.

I love them. And the headband was a great touch. I love the little feet. I am a grown woman who would happily play with tennis player puppets for hours

They need to do one of everyone.

But not Djok. That would be scary.

You have to love Moutet

Corentin is stirring up the crowd.

He needs a puppet. He needs a day off!

his puppet would need coffee...

He’s a sweetheart

Well done Sasha.

Corentin has had a great year though.

Joao is getting a bit of a lesson from Karen. He is probably feeling quite confident, so this will be a bit of down to earth moment.

Fonseca has picked up in the second set.

Everyone likes to prove me wrong today

Tie break for Valentin and Norris.

Not noticed as much in the way of annoying chanting this morning. Which is nice .

Joe and Neal are in a tie break in their first set too.

Valentin is very popular in Paris

Allez! Valentin.

Not going so well for Joe and Neal in set 2.

Well done Valentin.

Well done Valentin

Not to be for Joe and Neal, though. Lost in the 3rd set tie break thingy.

Amazingly, having been ranked outside the top 200 before Shanghai, that win puts him at 30 in the lie rankings, so a seeding position for AO, if he can keep this up.