TENNIS: this could be Rotterdam or anywhere

[JaneJeffer]

IW's main draw starts later- now qualifying has ended. I get so confused by these longer master tournaments.
Berrettini is one of those scheduled to play today- but it will be around 10pm UK time, so I doubt I'll manage that .

There have been a lot of withdrawals across the board- but I read that that Daniil and others have managed to get out of Dubai. ( Express headline is very misleading- it says he's been forced to pull out , then goes on to say he has left Dubai , after a lengthy dive , and flight to Turkey.

In the scheme of things, a tennis match is really not a big deal, though, given what is going on in the ME.

Katie Boulter lost in qualifying- but if she sticks around, given all the withdrawals, she might get a lucky loser spot, at this rate.

I know it was a typo, but I was amused by the mental image of Daniil escaping Dubai in scuba gear.

Indian Wells is one of those tournaments that I get all excited about, then remember that most of the matches are going to happen when I'm sleeping.

I didn't even notice the diving.

Swimming his way out of Dubai, would be very Daniil.

I got excited as well as I’ve not really seen much tennis lately- but yes most of it will be happening while I’m asleep!

Glad that they managed to get out of Dubai - the whole situation is grim

I see Aryna got engaged

Lovely news for Aryna.

I've just seen that Matteo won his match, not so good news for Marin Cilic.
Tsitsipas is due to start his match soon- Stef will be really hoping for a decent run, he has really slipped down the rankings, he currently around 50- tough opener for him though, given his recent form. He's playing Denis Shapovalov.

And Stef has just lost to Denis- following Paula's loss earlier.

Seems they can't win when they are together, and they can't win when they are apart. Stef will not be happy with thst loss, but I not really surprised. He's really been struggling for a while.

Ooh, Robbie! Haven’t heard his dulcet tones and headscratching metaphors for ages.

I have missed Robbie- the TNT commentators are no fun

I still haven’t watched any IW tennis - I miss Robbie as well - he used to get on my nerves but I find him quite amusing these days!

Grigor managed a win but Cilic is out - annoyingly Matteo and Zverev are playing each other at a reasonable time tonight but I’m out so I probably won’t get to see it - Lorenzo is also playing - I don’t think I managed to see any of his AO matches - hopefully I’ll get to see some tennis soon

Cobolli is also playing at 7pm - why have they scheduled all the Italian players at the same time (when I’m going out)? It’s a conspiracy

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1251485366927828&vanity=TennisTV

Jane

There are too many matches on, I don’t know what to watch!

Not a good day for Italians. Or fans of Italians.

Flavio has come back to win. And now Lore is starting, in a rather questionable colour combination.

No TennisTV, I am not interested in watching a serving competition between Shelton and Opelka.

No, I'm not quite sure about Lore's kit, though it's the best shade of green I've seen for a while. He can wear anything though. Even dubious dental hygienist outfits.
.

Must be full on in his house with 2 dc (just) under 2. He's probably gone to the US for some sleep.

It has not started well for Lore.

Yeah I don’t mind either of those colours on their own, but I just don’t think petrel blue goes with Barbie pink.

He seems to be waking up a bit now.

I'm glad it's back on serve.

I actually quite like Marton. Bit not as much as Lore

Damn

Oh damn Lore.

Yeah this is not going Lore’s way.

I’ve just got in - not sure about Lore’s pink shorts! Well that was short lived

Felix has also gone for the shorn look - maybe it is nits?