TENNIS: all to clay for

[JaneJeffer]

sorry

The Elina comeback in set 2 (which I am only score watching) is not what what I was wanting to see.

I feel sorry for Jodar and Darderi if they have to play late into the night- it's probably really cold in Italy tonight.

Why does everyone dislike Elina?

NuRafa had a bit of a nervy start but seems to have found his range now. Not really sure who I want to win.

That's a first. The smoke from the fireworks in the adjacent football stadium has caused Hawkeye to malfunction.

I was score watching and saw it was suspended and assumed it was raining again. Get some line judges out there

I've never been overly keen on Svitolina but I don't really know why. She gives the impression of being really hard faced but she does do some amusing things on SM and she's married to the lovely Gael, so she can't be all bad

I feel the same about Elina- I really cant put my finger on why I can't warm to her. She does seem lovely off court.
To be fair, watching Rybakina leaves me a bit cold too. .

I was sorry Mirra lost- but Sorana's dream run continues , and if she catches Coco on an off day (and they happen often as not)- she has a great chance.

Needless to say, I failed to watch the Jodar/Darderi match- I think we saw/said in previous tournaments that his lack of stamina/physical conditioning maybe lets him down- not sure if that was the case here, he clearly faded quickly in set 3. it sounds like an eventful match though, and playing so late, and waiting around all day, can't have been good. But- as Darderi said after his match with Sascha- the conditions were the same for both of them, and it's how you handle it.

Luciano has been pulling off houdini wins alls week. He has had the crowds- might be tricky for Casper in the next round, even if on paper he's the favourite. He was the favourite against Blockx in Madrid, and look how that turned out.

I watched the first two sets of the Jodar-Darderi match. It looked like both players were struggling physically at the end of the second set, and it seemed like whovever managed to break first in the third was going to run away with it. I believe Rafa started cramping which was why the scoreline was so one-sided. It's not surprising that he lacks physical conditioning when he's so new on tour. His dad/coach is the only person in his box so I guess he doesn't even have a fitness trainer or physio yet. And playing a long, gruelling match until 2am or whatever time isn't ideal. Luciano was chugging espresso at the changeovers which was pretty funny. Well done to him, I feel he's been very under the radar given his ranking and the number of other high profile Italian players.

Yes, it's nice for Darderi to be making a name for himself- there are a lot of good Italians now. Drinking espresso Maybe he's been talking to Moutet.

The scheduling wasn't ideal not much thy could do with the weather.
The only alternative would have been to start the men's match on a different court when the women were playing- and for various reasons (mostly money) they would n;t have wanted to do that.
But - (not that I'm a player)- I think I would have preferred that to playing into the early hours , in the cold.

I went off Elina a couple of years ago. It was just after the Ukraine war started and the thing about not shaking hands with Russians/Belarusians was very new. Elina played Aryna, and Aryna lost. Respecting Elina’s stance Aryna didn’t shake hands, but the crowd obviously thought it was because she’d lost and started booing her. Elina just sat there smirking at all the boos. I completely respect Elina’s stance on the hand shaking, but the smirking was unnecessary in my view.

Yes Raahh Rybakina leaves me cold aswell.

Darderi chugging espressos

I feel the same way about Rybakina. Nothing against her but could never be a fan, I prefer players who show some emotion. Elina I've always been pretty neutral on.

I'm trying to watch the Jannik match, and either my tv is playing up or Sky - because I can't get a picture.

You're not missing much Raahh, walk in the park for Jannik as usual.

That sounds about right .

Good old Virgin experiencing problems nationwide, apparently.

Well done Jannik.

He seemed to have some physical issue towards the end of the match, maybe cramp or something with his leg. But still won, obviously.

I do like Jannik - but his ability to win regardless of any illness or injury is getting more and more Djok like.

Virgin appears to be working now. But who knows.
I see Sorana started with a break.

The difference is that with Jannik I never feel like he's doing it to deliberately put the opponent off.

Well done Coco.

Oh, no, I don't think Jannik is up to anything nefarious. Not like the fig eater.

I missed the end of Coco's match, and last time I looked it was suspended.
Well done to her- but a great week for Sorana.

Martin Landaluce has started very well.

I do want Daniil to win though- although I don't think he will do too well against Jannik in the next round.

Maybe Landaluce can stop Jannik?

Daniil suffered a double bagel against Matteo in Monte Carlo. He does not want that to happen here.

Yay! He gets a game.

So, they went in for rain.

Martin was down a break, and it did look like Daniil might take this second set. Martin has now got it back on serve at 4-5.

Another match where anything might happen.

1 set all, but it did look like Martin might threaten to take it near the end of the last set, or at least take it to a tie break.

But Daniil is now serving double faults all over the place.

Daniil was ranting at Daria that something wasn't working (about the extent of my Russian these days ).

Wow. Martin up a break again. Danill is not happy.

I am missing the tennis because I’m stuck at Basingstoke station waiting for a delayed train.

That’s what put me off her as well. Fair enough if you don’t want to shake hands but don’t make it look like it’s your opponent who refuses to and let her get booed until she’s in tears.