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!).

Nobody would have predicted that!

Not much point beating Carlos then Cam.

'Where have you been'

Good question.

They never let him out of Monte Carlo

Bragging rights though

True. It's often the way in sport, you beat a big opponent and then lose to a lesser one who benefits from your prior success.

Finally got chance to watch a bit of tennis. Felix lost the first set against Altmaier. Hope he can pull it back in the second.

I wonder if it’s the unknown factor that’s making Valentin so successful (now that he’s been allowed out of Monte Carlo!) - maybe some of the players haven’t worked his game out yet?

It always used to annoy me when a lower ranked player would win against Rafa and then lose easily in the next round

It used to annoy me too when the 'giant killer' lost after beating Rafa. Or even worse - looking at you, Steve Darcis- withdrew before the next match, injured.

The unknown factor is a definitely a thing- I think it's why Djok has been a lot more vulnerable to losses against players he would have been expected to beat easily- it's usually because he hasn't played them before.

Some players take longer to mature than others, I guess. He spent a long time on the college circuit , rather than the main tour.

I think that’s why Jannik is so successful. He’s able to work out what his opponent is going to do in the heat of battle. I had to laugh the other day when he said he knew what changes ADM would make to his game and was ready for it but he wouldn’t tell the interviewer what they were

Well done Felix

Felix always manages to pull good results out of the bag at this time of year.
Ben has taken a close first set against Andrey.

Well done Felix - I’m not sure what that means for Lorenzo qualifying for the WTFs? He’s also got the Davis Cup - poor Lorenzo he’s worn out already!

Rublev’s hair is looking very resplendent!

He has got nice hair.

Much better match from Ben today.

(I would have liked Andrey to win though)

At the moment- Lore is still ahead of Felix? And I think Felix might even need to win the next 2 matches to go ahead of him in the race on points.

But Felix is also scheduled to play Metz next week (if he gets to the final in Paris, he might not do that).

Maybe Lorenzo can send his puppet to the Davis Cup? No-one understands the format, anyway - and even Jannik isn't going.

Close one Sasha.

Bublik is so funny.

He is have a good old chat with his box.

This will be another good win for Sasha- and a new career high of about 13.

He dropped into the 80s earlt in the year,so he's had a brilliant second half.

Well done Sasha!

Well done Bublik

Thanks for the explanation Raahh - yes I think the puppets should definitely be brought into use

Of course, If Djok ducks out, it changes things a bit Fizzy (and the commentators have gone quiet on talking about him doing that).

Fingers crossed though .