TENNIS: this could be Rotterdam or anywhere

[JaneJeffer]

I saw something on socials saying the main stadium in Miami is flooded and they've had to schedule all matches on outer courts

Lore has withdrawn from Miami. Which is a shame for him, because he was seeded 4th and had a really good draw.

That is a massive shame. He's not had a good start to the year. I hope things pick up for him soon.

Mind you, the way the weather is going in Miami- it might never get started!

I think it's one of the few remaining tournaments without any courts with a roof? Does it still have the 'pop up court' in the Miami Dolphins stadium?

There does seem to be play early on in Miami- Paula Badosa is playing Alix Sasnovich. Sasnovich is wearing a strange kit, that makes her look like she's blending in with the court- and I had never really noticed before how peculiar her service action is.

I am watching Moise Kouame, who is only 17. He is going to be really good... although currently cramping and struggling to close out the match.

Update: he won. And then comically limped over to the umpire's chair to shake hands. I'm sure we're going to be seeing more of him.

Well done to Fran Jones who beat Venus Williams earlier. Honestly, I do not get what Venus is getting from participating in tourniments- she has lost in the first round several times now.

She can't need the money.

What is the motivation? It has got be humiliating at this point?

Yes Raahh
She's also taking a wildcard away from a perhaps more deserving player who really needs the chance/money to enter the tournament. If Venus was winning a few matches, maybe you could argue the case for her continuing to receive wildcards, given what she's achieved in the game etc etc. But she hasn't won one singles match iirc.
Fran plays Pegula next, which will be a challenge.

What is going on with Iga?!

Yeah, I don't understand what Venus is up to. I saw somebody suggest that she gets health insurance by being on tour, which seems as good a reason as any...

kazza, I saw that Iga lost. My armchair psychology is that she's a great frontrunner but isn't good at coping with adversity and negative feelings within matches. I think the same thing about Emma Raducanu actually, although Iga is obviously much more accomplished. Hopefully she can bounce back.

Some good matches on the men's side today. Casper has a tough opener against Ethan Quinn, who's a fast improving young American. I saw a bit of his match against Hubi yesterday and he looked great, I'd actually be surprised if Casper won. Bublik vs Berretini should be fun too. And Carlos vs Fonseca, but of course that's the late match.

The insurance aspect with Venus makes some sense- even the wealthiest of people can run up massive bills in the US.

And yes, she's taking WC from players who could benefit from them more. She wouldn't be the first to do that though.

Iga does seem to be struggling a bit- and she does go through phases where she's either bagelling all comers, or losing early on out of the blue.

There are some good matches coming up.

Rain has delayed things again, but it's looking brighter now.

Casper and Ethan have finished warming up. Casper is wearing the same horrible kit he was wearing in IW. That did not end well for him.

I was hoping to watch Casper but TennisTV seem to have deleted my subscription

Well, that's just rude.

Casper is struggling a bit on his serve in this game.
It's 3-3, but Ethan has been close to breaking.

And Ethan has the break.

Come on Casper!

Hopefully it is just a mistake. In the meantime I'll have to score watch. Come on Casper!

Oof.

Maybe Casper doesn't want to be be seen in public for too long in this horrible kit?

But come on!

First set to Quinn.

This was always going to be a tough match.

Another rain delay- this is a very frustrating day for the players.

Sky looks quite blue, so I can't see it being a long delay. Players still out. All the spectators are going.for food most likely - will probably take longer to get people back in their seats.

Why don't they cover the courts? I get it's not like grass, but they still have to faff mopping up the courts to start playing again.

In better news, Casper's hair is defnitely growing back- can see it above his head band now. Hopefully he won't shave it again .

So daft- Fergus is sending them in. It's probably going to stop raining soon- and take about 15-20 minutes to dry everywhere out.

Hopefully Casper will come back stronger after the delay.

Since it's still raining in Miami, I'm watching Comic Relief. Everyone hates this on MN- but I have every nose since it started.

i hate tie breaks- come on Casper.

Ugh. Casper.

Casper Quite glad I couldn’t actually watch it.

Hopefully, he will get his act together for the clay season.
He has a few points to defend there- including a title in Madrid, although the season didn't finish last well well with injuries.