The Tennis Thread

[Reg]

Raonic's approach shots have gone to pot. He seems unsure of himself now; leaving that ball down the line instead of putting away the volley is unlike him.

Murray's returns are so good though. Getting a clean hit on a 147mph serve is silly.

[Reg]

Too many dickhead who only know 3 players
Strange thing to complain about when Wimbledon is famous for supporting underdogs.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Strange thing to complain about when Wimbledon is famous for supporting underdogs.
Only when they start playing well. Most of the crowd have no idea who most of the players are.

I bet only about 5 people knew of Thiem.

There are far too many who go just to tell their friends that they went to Wimbledon and had a ruddy good time.

[Disco]

Yeah fuck those guys, buying a ticket and enjoying themselves, who do they think they are?

[Jimmy Floyd]

If you had to fill Wimbledon with year-round tennis nuts only, it'd be a very quiet place.

[Kikó]

They're such twats people.

Good prediction on Murray so far how

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They're such twats people.

Good prediction on Murray so far how

Smashing :moop:

Still think that Raonic has the chance to win in 5 but it's not looking likely if he continues to play like this and Murray keeps returning as well as he has been.

[Waffdon]

Mahow :D

[Magic]

Raonic is going to dick Murray :nodd:

:harold:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's not over yet.

Feel free to lol should Murray win the third set.

[Magic]

Murray is clearly miles better. Straight sets.

:nodd:

[Magic]

Only when they start playing well. Most of the crowd have no idea who most of the players are.

I bet only about 5 people knew of Thiem.

There are far too many who go just to tell their friends that they went to Wimbledon and had a ruddy good time.

Agreed. They should let very knowledgeable tennis bods like yourself in by default.

:harold:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You can't deny that the Wimbledon crowd is the pits. Only American golfing tournaments are worse, 'get in the hole'. Ugh

[Magic]

Wife and kid left for a party just before this kicked off. It could be over by the time they get back. :harold:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Who is this fair dinkum cobber on comms?

[Disco]

Lleyton Hewitt?

[Reg]

It's Hewitt, Jim. Favourite ever player.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That return from Raonic was fucking stunning.

[leedsrevolution]

You've had an absolute mare this tournament Mahow.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I have? All I've predicted was Thiem to do well, Kyrigos to win a set against Murray, Raonic to beat Federer and then Raonic to win the whole thing.

Hardly a mare.

[leedsrevolution]

Maybe I'm just getting confused with your life in general.

[Disco]

Is he reading messages on something in his bag? Are you supposed to do that?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

More than likely.

I also forgot about Tsonga, he was probably my biggest tip :(

[leedsrevolution]

Shame about Tsonga, he looks quality sometimes but just lacks something.

[Reg]

Is he reading messages on something in his bag? Are you supposed to do that?
Notes. He's allowed to read notes but not receive any coaching.

[Shindig]

Who the fuck laughs at a bodyshot serve?

[Max Power]

Who the fuck laughs at a bodyshot serve?

Easiest laughs in the world. Just pipping a Premier League manager's press conference.

COME ON TIM! hahahaha

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why does Murray need an entire backroom team, all in dead serious caps and t-shirts? There's only one of him.

[Magic]

:)

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't know anything about tennis, but to the naked eye the two tie breaks have been a very clear example of a genuine 'bottle'.

[Disco]

I don't know anything about tennis, but to the naked eye the two tie breaks have been a very clear example of a genuine 'bottle'.

The entire thing appears to have been a bit of a non contest (chin up 'how).

[Shindig]

First his beard and now this.

[Magic]

Called it.

[Kikó]

3 grand slams, an Olympic gold and a Davis cup. Not bad.

[Reg]

I don't know anything about tennis, but to the naked eye the two tie breaks have been a very clear example of a genuine 'bottle'.
I think he was unsure of himself through most of the match and it came out in the tiebreaks in particular. I'm surprised, he has looked confident this year. First time in a slam final though, this probably won't be his last chance.

Credit to Murray though. So few unforced errors. Haven't looked at all the numbers but it's a totally different game to playing Federer in the semis.

[Shindig]

Ok, that reaction for Cameron was grand.

[Yevrah]

The match stank of Raonic not being up to it/just being happy to be there from fairly early in the first set. Which was a shame.

Obviously Murray's the best player in the world not on a gluten free diet, so no shame in losing to him, but it would have been nice to see Raonic make more of a fist of it.

[Reg]

Djokovic v Nishikori in Rogers Cup final, SS3.

[Reg]

Murray Cilic final in Cincinnati. Sky Sports 2.

[Reg]

US Open starts today. Eurosport has all the coverage; they're doing build up from 3:30 today. Edmund v Gasquet starts at 4:30, and there's other good first round ties - the pick probably being Dustin Brown v Raonic.

Edmund to go through I reckon.

Edit: Bet365 also have coverage.
Edit again: Edmund at 4pm.

[niko_cee]

He raped Gasquet.

:drool:

You can only imagine the French seethe. We'll be taking the piss at the petanque world cup next. What else are they good at?

[Kikó]

Djokovic has just lost the second set against the world 242. Arm problems as well.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's Jerzy Janowicz who has been ranked as high as 14th after getting to the Wimbledon semi in 2013. Injuries have fucked him over though.

[Byron]

Janowicz has a bit of a monster serve as well doesn't he?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah, it's his main weapon.

[Reg]

Edmund bossing it. Two straight set victories.

[Shindig]

How on earth did Konta win that?

[Reg]

Murray/Granollers on Eurosport. Murray likes playing lefties and also likes playing guys that come to the net; I'd be surprised if it wasn't straight sets.

[Mellberg]

He likes playing everyone who isn't called Novak Djokovic doesn't he?

[Reg]

There is that, yeah.

[niko_cee]

Is the roof on this court retractable?

[Reg]

Is the roof on this court retractable?
Yeah it is, apparently quite quick as well. They've decided that matches that start with the roof closed may change to outdoor matches if the weather improves.

[niko_cee]

Edmund.

:cool:

I'm not being funny, but what kind of fix have they called in to get Djokovic into the second week here? Farcical.

[Reg]

That would be the most needless conspiracy in the history of the world.

[Reg]

Edmund and Evans :cool: Edmund will be top 20, no doubt. I've never liked Murray so I'm excited about having a super talented Brit that's likeable.

Shame about Konta, I thought she'd go further.

Murray v Dimitrov tonight at midnight, worth recording - could be a good one.

[niko_cee]

This tournament has been an absolute shambles in terms of retirements.

[Reg]

This is a real battle between Murray and Nishikori. Murray was on fire first set; since then Nishikori has fought like he always does and Murray's started arguing with the umpire and losing focus and beating himself.

Deciding set definitely worth a watch, Eurosport 1.

[Shindig]

Shame. I bet Mahow's trying to drink his own cum as we speak. Djokovic won't have had to work for this slam at all.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Posted at
22:54
Henry Monk: I think it shows why Murray is a grand slam winner by showing grit to get himself to 5-4 first.

Eat shit Henry :harold:

[Reg]

Nishikori is so likeable. So admirable coming back from that. He has one of the best mental games in tennis.

[Spoonsky]

That was class from Nishikori. lol at Murray getting trolled by a butterfly though.

[Byron]

Urgh, that was the old Murray there, tantrums and all.

Mahow needs to fuck off mind you, this obsession is properly :harold:

[Yevrah]

Didn't see it, but knew Murray had lost as soon as I saw the front page of TTH.

[ItalAussie]

Would love to see Nishikori or Monfils get over the line.

[ItalAussie]

Williams knocked out by Pliskova. Now that Williams is still very, very good but not quite unbeatable, her matches against other top players are really very enthralling. The match against Halep was equally fascinating.

There's actually a rather nifty top five in the women's game at the moment. Williams, Kerber, Muguruza, Radwanska, and Halep. There's a range of different styles there. They all regularly go quite well in tournaments, and are capable of beating the others on their day. None of them are immune to upsets either.

[Shindig]

I feel like Muguruza's had nothing but upsets since she won her slam.

[Spoonsky]

Anyone watching this semi? Monfils is bonkers.

[Reg]

Didn't see the semis but watched highlights including Monfils being booed. Did he deserve it, Spoon?

Wouldn't have minded another Kerber-Serena final but tonight's could be decent. Kerber in straight sets, I reckon.

[Spoonsky]

I mean, by the second or third set he didn't seem well physically, he was bending down between every point. But yeah, in the first set down 5-0 he basically tried to throw it away, and this threw off Djokovic so much that he ended up getting it back to 5-3 and nearly getting back on serve. He seemed like he was in a daze for most of the match and wasn't really trying very hard.

The man is fucked mentally. He's won six singles finals out of twenty five. He needs a very talented therapist.

[Shindig]

http://ih1.redbubble.net/image.11435122.4629/fc,550x550,white.jpg

What kind of business card doesn't have a number on it? Damn it.

[Reg]

I mean, by the second or third set he didn't seem well physically, he was bending down between every point. But yeah, in the first set down 5-0 he basically tried to throw it away, and this threw off Djokovic so much that he ended up getting it back to 5-3 and nearly getting back on serve. He seemed like he was in a daze for most of the match and wasn't really trying very hard.

The man is fucked mentally. He's won six singles finals out of twenty five. He needs a very talented therapist.
That's a shame, he's had a good year. When I've watched him I've happened to catch him on good days, but those days haven't been semis or finals (apart from in Monte Carlo, where he was brilliant for the most part). McEnroe reckons he's one of the greatest "athletes" (seems to use that term to refer to all physical and technical attributes) there's ever been in tennis, but is lacking mentally.

Looking forward to the final, I'll have to watch it tomorrow though. Djokovic in four.

[Kikó]

On a side note, Jamie Murray won again. Great achievement to win two slams in a year.

[ItalAussie]

Wawrinka has quietly put together three-quarters of a career grand slam. He seems comparatively limited, but he makes it work.

Gets himself back on par with Murray in terms of majors, to boot.

[Shindig]

Novak going through a comparative blip is nice to see. At least to tighten up the top back into something nearing a top three.

[Reg]

Wawrinka has quietly put together three-quarters of a career grand slam. He seems comparatively limited, but he makes it work.
Was just thinking about that. And it's feasible he could complete it, I know grass isn't his favourite but he could do it.

A strange final with so few first serves going in. Djokovic wasn't near his unbeatable best but Wawrinka was near faultless in the baseline rallies. I don't think Djokovic likes Stan's blocked returns, they're just not very easy to do anything with and it means he gets so many returns into play.

Wawrinka hadn't beaten a top ten player this season before the semis a few days ago. That's quite a surreal stat.

[Reg]

Novak going through a comparative blip is nice to see. At least to tighten up the top back into something nearing a top three.
The thing is, it's a strange "top three". The no.2 very rarely beats the no.1, and as above the no.3 very rarely beats anyone even close to the top.

Of the top thirty, I think only Thiem and Zverev have what it takes to become consistent contenders for slams and the no.1 spot. We're going to be in this weird limbo for a while.

[Reg]

Usually get a few Davis Cup posts so might be worth mentioning-

GB v Argentina on BBC and Eurosport today and the weekend (currently Murray vs Del Potro). Semi-final of Davis Cup. 4 singles matches and 1 doubles.

Highlights on Eurosport this evening, a programme each for Murray/Del Potro and Edmund/Pella.

[ItalAussie]

Scorecard suggests that Del Potro v Murray was an outstanding game.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, I dipped in and out of it and it was very good.

[Shindig]

Andy needs to calm down a bit. His temperament's starting to come into question again.

[Reg]

Shaping up for a Del Potro v Edmund winner takes all finale (providing Pella doesn't cause a huge upset in beating Murray).

Let's see what Edmund's like under extreme pressure.

[Byron]

Sharapova has had her ban reduced to 15 months. CAS basically said part of the punishment was unfair because it was about making an example of her as a person rather than punishing a cheater.

Still means she misses everything up to Wimbledon next year.

[Shindig]

Yet they'll give match-fixers lifetime bans.

[Reg]

Should be a good couple semis in Beijing. Murray v Ferrer (big result for him knocking out Zverev) and Raonic v Ditrimov (who knocked out Nadal).

Edit- also Konta is playing Madison Keys, that's a really nice tie and clash of styles.

[Reg]

Top 5 have qualified for London now, so 3 spots left.

Shameful stuff from Kyrgios today, tanking another match. Highlights of today's Shanghai matches with Kyrgios around 3:40 minutes in: http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/wawrinka-berdych-goffin-shanghai-2016-thursday

I watched Wawrinka's match on record and he played some fantastic stuff. These fast courts suit him (and should make for a good final, whoever gets there).

[Kikó]

What's the point in krygios? Properly boring man.

[Byron]

I thought Gulbis had a poor attitude at times, but Kyrgios is seriously one of the most pathetic excuses for a top tennis player.

[John]

I was saying Kyrgios is a wank early enough that I'd be claiming an e-victory now if I was a dickhead. He's obviously mega talented but he could barely get away with this sort of nonsense if he had Djokovic's trophy cabinet never mind an empty one.

[Shindig]

He'll retire at 25 citing no love for the game and then retract it in minutes over twitter or something.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Most top players tank, don't they? Some just do it more subtly than others.

[Reg]

Kyrgios fined and banned till end of season. (He was given the option of a shorter, 3-week ban, if he agreed to work with a sports psychologist. He took the longer ban.)

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2670053-nick-kyrgios-suspended-8-weeks-fined-25k-by-atp-latest-details-and-reaction

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That sums him up perfectly.

[ItalAussie]

Kyrgios fined and banned till end of season. (He was given the option of a shorter, 3-week ban, if he agreed to work with a sports psychologist. He took the longer ban.)

Peak Kyrgios. :D

[Reg]

In an exciting twist, Kyrgios takes the psychological help.

For anyone interested there's a huge Murray match currently on Sky Sports 3. Up a set against Berdych. He needs a couple more wins to get to number 1 in the world, as Djokovic lost today (after being very impressive v Dimitrov, super calm throughout - even when a set down).

[Adamski]

Break up too

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/37872449

Fucking sickening.

Get back on the gluten, Novak ffs.

[Shindig]

The Briton would also set a record for the most time between becoming number two and number one, having first reached number two in 2009.

Persistence.

[Baz]

He's a top Sco British lad.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That fucking prick, Raonic has decided to withdraw from the match claiming that he's injured.

At least put an asterisk against his name, ATP.

[Byron]

I don't know what's better, finally having a British No. 1 or seeing Mahow cry over it :harold:

[Yevrah]

Cracking stuff from Murray.

[Reg]

The final tonight. :drool: Potential to be a classic.

The perfect way to end the year. A straight shootout for no.1 in the world between Murray(1) and Djokovic(2). I'm on Djokovic in three sets (he has been getting his groove back and didn't look too far from his best in the semi yesterday; Murray has had two marathon matches this week and has played a huge amount of tennis recently).

The tennis hasn't been of the best standard this week, in the main. That has been the case for the last few years at the o2, when players are mentally and physically tired.

I went for the Thursday day session and was lucky to see the Bryan bros and Djokovic. Both matches were one-sided but it was a pleasure to see Djokovic - his movement is brilliant. He looks even skinnier in real life.

Sky Sports and BBC for those interested.

[Yevrah]

Murray's smacking him.

[Kikó]

Yep. It'll be really interesting if he can translate it into a couple more grand slams next year. Amazing quality from him to get back to this standard after his back injury.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Watching Murray attempt to close this out from 4-1 has been infuriating.

[Yevrah]

Watching Murray attempt to close this out from 4-1 has been infuriating.

Very rarely easy with him, but then he was playing Djokovic.

If you'd told me when I first started watching tennis we'd have a British Wimbledon champion, multiple grand slam champion, double Olympic Gold winner and now World Number 1 I'd have never believed it. Fair play to him and Judy.

[Shindig]

Quite nuts, when you think about it. Davis Cup winner, as well.

[Reg]

Two British no1s at the same time.

Must be a bug.

[Yevrah]

Yep, he's won so much I'm starting to forget things.

[Jimmy Floyd]

When I looked up the rankings earlier to see how out of touch I am with who the top players are (very, as it turns out), I noticed there is another British player in the 40s. They have to get another top 20-ish player shortly you would think.

[Shindig]

They tend to go through bubbles. Edmund's had a breakthrough year but, at that level, a breakthrough year is a sneaky third-round in a Slam.

[Kikó]

Konta is doing well as well in the womens. It's a good time for British tennis.

[Reg]

When I looked up the rankings earlier to see how out of touch I am with who the top players are (very, as it turns out), I noticed there is another British player in the 40s. They have to get another top 20-ish player shortly you would think.
Edmund will almost undoubtedly get top 20, in my opinion.

It'll be a really interesting start to next year. Djokovic and Murray should both be motivated, the former as he'll want no.1 back and is probably eyeing Federer's slam total, and the latter because he wants both the Australian and French for the first time.

[Yevrah]

Given the way the rankings work Djokovic is going to have to go some to get the number one spot back in the short term.

[Reg]

Yep, he has a shedload more points to defend. But his record at the Australian will help. I'd be surprised if he won the French again.

It'd be nice to have a new slam winner next year.

[niko_cee]

Other than the prestige is there any material difference between being 1 or 2? Either gets you out of playing the other until the final. Does the fact that the top seed usually plays first help in terms of fatigue? [/marginal gain]

[Reg]

Wimbledon draws seeds 1 & 3, and 2 & 4, on opposite sides of the draw. So it'd be an advantage being no2 in that case as you'd avoid the 3rd best player. (Obviously seeds don't always correlate to rankings.)

Can't think if that's the general way of doing things.

I think it would always be an advantage being no1 as you aren't playing catch up, and it's less risky to take weeks off.

[Shindig]

Remember when Federer's records looked under threat? I actually wondered if Djokovic was challenging him for consecutive weeks at the top. Turns out he's years off that. Years that he might not have.

[Reg]

Shindig

I had to look up Fed's 302 weeks. That's insane.

I still think Djokovic can get to 17 slams or more. His physical game is near faultless.

[John]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/38379952

Odds on whoever did that dying in custody? They don't have many sportspeople on that level of ability and fame these days, so if he's ended one he'll be in the shit.

[Shindig]

Nah, she'll win another open right-handed.

[Shindig]

Anna Ivanovic retires. Awww.

[Reg]

Australian Open draw has been made: full draw (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/22713813), preview stuff. (http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/murray-australian-open-2017-draw-preview)

Djokovic looked like he was on the way back to his best in the Qatar final. Second half of the first set he was fantastic. An early win over Murray should help him. I'd have Murray and Wawrinka as the only two to realistically beat him at the Australian, so it's good for him that Wawrinka's on Murray's half. Verdasco in the 1st round's a bit of a bastard draw though.

I'm going to plump for Djokovic as very slight favourite. Intrigued to see where Federer's at, and high hopes for Dimitrov this tournament.

[Byron]

Okay so my thoughts;

1. Kyrgios to throw his racket at an umpire, swear at spectators and storm off. The Australian press the next day engage in a chorus of 'Aww mate, it's not like that, it's different'
2. Proably Tsonga's last year as a serious competitor (I'm being generous there as well as much as I love him and want him to win a slam)
3. Monfils is either winning the damn thing, or going out in the second round. There's no middle ground with him. I'd actually fancy him if his head is on straight, he's one of the most athletic competitors out there
4. Since when did Raonic move to 3rd in the world?
5. Edmund will go out in the third round against the big, bad Djok. (now 100% more gluten free)

[ItalAussie]

Has Tsonga ever really been a serious competitor? I always thought of him as one of the best non-serious competitors, but I never thought for a moment that he'd win a major, unless the other guys fell over themselves on the way.

[Yevrah]

I thought he'd attained cult like status due to being a physical beast, but he's never been good enough at the actual tennis part to compete at the top of the game.

[Byron]

By serious competitor I'm going by someone who could feasibly win something, but he would need everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) to go his way.

He's French, so won't win but I'll still be rooting for him.

[Shindig]

He just looks like someone that lacks an edge. If you were a particularly shitty mate to him and asked him to put the hammer down, he'd bottle calling you out on it.

[John Arne]

Djokovic knocked out by 133rd ranked Uzbek, Denis Istomin :D

[Queenslander]

Kyrgios mate is currently the most hated Australian I reckon.

[ItalAussie]

Djokovic knocked out by 133rd ranked Uzbek, Denis Istomin :D

He's better than his ranking suggests, but he's dropped down through injuries and the like - that's why he was given a wildcard entry. Realistically he's somewhere between 30 and 50. Still a huge shock.

[Byron]

What Ital said, Istomin is similar to Del Potro in that injuries have taken their toll on his ranking.

Still, good to see the big bad Djok out. He needs less gluten.

[John Arne]

He's better than his ranking suggests, but he's dropped down through injuries and the like - that's why he was given a wildcard entry. Realistically he's somewhere between 30 and 50. Still a huge shock.

For sure. Looking at his career ranking history, 30 might be a bit at the top end, given his all time high was 33, and he was only in the Top 40 for 2 months of his career.

[ItalAussie]

For sure. Looking at his career ranking history, 30 might be a bit at the top end, given his all time high was 33, and he was only in the Top 40 for 2 months of his career.

He knocked off some big scalps along the way. He's injury-prone though. He occupies the same territory as, say, Nicholas Mahut in terms of quality, from what I've seen of him. Occasional big scalps, and generally good for a couple of rounds in a slam. Never going to threaten the second week though.

30 is a bit high, I'll grant. But he's certainly capable of pulling that level of performance out, if not on a regular basis.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Istomin was only ranked that low because of all the gluten he eats.

[Disco]

And the drugs he doesn't take.

[phonics]

Istomin already sounds like a PED.

[Reg]

He knocked off some big scalps along the way. He's injury-prone though. He occupies the same territory as, say, Nicholas Mahut in terms of quality, from what I've seen of him. Occasional big scalps, and generally good for a couple of rounds in a slam. Never going to threaten the second week though.

30 is a bit high, I'll grant. But he's certainly capable of pulling that level of performance out, if not on a regular basis.
He had a 1 in 32 record against top 10 players, so it's about as big a shock as they come. Particularly since it looked like Djokovic won in Qatar and looked on the way to his best again.

I'm a Djokovic fan but now that he's out I'd like to see a new slam winner this tournament.

Some nice ties coming up - Federer/Berdych, Tsonga/Sock, Tomic/Evans.

Ooof, just seen Nadal will be against Zverev. And Konta v Wozniacki.

[Shindig]

I'd like Murray to complete the career grand slam just so Mahow can complete his grand seethe.

[Reg]

He's got as good shot as he'll ever get in the next few months.

[John]

Tsonga/Sock

That's a quality euphemism for a wanking sock. Tell your mate about it, igor_balis

[ItalAussie]

Federer rolling back the years against Berdych. This is absolutely vintage stuff. He's in some kind of touch.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is Federer the last player who I'm going to actually enjoy watching? I used to like Sampras as well. I don't know who else of that ilk is around. Goffin, lol.

I can't stand power/endurance tennis. Nadal = the devil.

[ItalAussie]

Nishikori?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not seen a lot of him. Tell me he has a single handed backhand.

[Reg]

Watched the Federer match. You're right, Ital. That was pretty unreal.

I don't think you'd like Nishikori, Jim. Catch Dimitrov sometime.

[niko_cee]

Good of Tomic to turn up in his board shorts. What a pleb. He and Kyrgios must be just about the most 'un-Australian' sportsmen going.

[Reg]

The Nadal Zverev match was a bit of an epic. Zverev got cramps (after a never-ending rally) and looked pretty much done physically and mentally toward the end. He's going to be big though, big big big. Probably world number 1.

The commentator came up with a good stat. Zverev had played 5 matches that had gone 5 sets in his career. Nadal... 331.

[Queenslander]

Good of Tomic to turn up in his board shorts. What a pleb. He and Kyrgios must be just about the most 'un-Australian' sportsmen going.

Most hated ATM that don't beat their wives.

[ItalAussie]

The Zverev brothers are both pretty decent. When was the last time two brothers met in a Grand Slam?

[Byron]

So Murray is about to lose to Zverev.

Tsonga's year :drool:

[Byron]

That said, the next round will be seeded carnage. You have;

(3) Raonic vs. (13) Bautista Agut
(5) Nishikori vs. (17) Federer
(6) Monfils vs. (9) Nadal
(8) Thiem vs. (11) Goffin
(12) Tsonga vs. Evans

[Waffdon]

Deserved for accepting that disgusting knighthood

[Magic]

Mahow knows.

[Shindig]

Nadal to power past Federer and we all die a little more inside.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:lol:

Allez Tsonga.

[Reg]

Nadal is great. You'd lose so much if you didn't have clashes of styles.

Just finished Nishikori v Federer. Federer hit winners from all over the place, including one aimed between the umpire's chair and the net post.

On the men's side this must be the most wide open Slam in years now.

[Reg]

Bookies have Federer as favourite. I agree with them as Nadal has Raonic, while Federer has Murray-beater Mischa Zverev.

I watched Nadal-Monfils. Turned into a bit of a battle and Nadal showed his fighting spirit once again. Got to love his attitude. Surely one of the best competitors in any sport ever.

Konta has Serena. Really fun tournament so far but that could be one of the picks.

[Shindig]

Last time Federer met this lad he beat him to love. He's five games up already,

[Queenslander]

Sir Andy Murray?

[phonics]

Federer :cool:

Get fucked Stan.

[SvN]

I'd love Federer to win another slam after being written off.

[Max Power]

Federer - Nadal and Williams - Williams. Time to party like it's 2007.

[ItalAussie]

Federer - Nadal here would have a similar feel to Sampras - Agassi in 2002, when both were supposed to be basically finished.

[Reg]

What a crazy couple finals that would be.

Serena 35
Venus 36
Federer 34
Nadal 30

Federer looked really nervous there for him. Didn't play as well as he had in previous matches.

[Reg]

Can't wait for the finals. Serena v Venus and Federer v Nadal. :drool: Schedule. (Australia 11 hours ahead of UK.) (http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/)

McEnroe said he'd put the Nadal-Dimitrov semi up there with the greatest he's ever seen. Lasted nearly 5 hours.

[Mellberg]

Been watching Wimbledon 2008 in preperation. Please, please be brilliant.

[Ian]

I'd love Federer to win it. Nadal can sod off.

[Yevrah]

Only on Eurosport? Any streams available?

[Ian]

Woof, that's a fucking shot from Federer. :drool:

[ItalAussie]

It's been a really good match so far.

[Byron]

This isn't quite 2008 levels, but it's very good

[Shindig]

Nadal's doing this in five. :(

[Kikó]

Feels that way.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just woke up.

'Mon Rog.

Nice to see him break back.

[Ian]

Fucking 'mon, Federer.

[Byron]

Fucking come on Fed.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I fucking hate it when the fans wet themselves DURING a fucking rally.

Simmer down you pricks.

Still, Fed :cool:

[Kikó]

Oh Roger.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Roger :cool:

[Ian]

:cool:

[Byron]

What a match that was. Eighteen and quite possibly his last Grand Slam :cool:

[phonics]

Roger is the man.

[Mellberg]

Put £20 on Fed @ 3.5 before he broke back in the fifth. Never in doubt :cool:

[Yevrah]

He could win more.

Top, top stuff.

[Kikó]

What a player. I held onto Sampras being the best ever for a while but it's no doubt now that it's Fed. Remarkable player.

[Shindig]

Awesome.

[Mellberg]

Is that the fist time he's beat Nadal in a slam away from grass?

[Kikó]

5 years since the last slam. 7 since he last won at Aussie open.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federer%E2%80%93Nadal_rivalry#Head-to-head_results_on_each_court_surface

Yes Mel.

Also, lol at this Kia motors guy.

[Kikó]

The Kia guy knows how to rally a crowd.

[ItalAussie]

That was fantastic to watch.

[Reg]

Really good match. :nodd:

Loved that rally that finished with Nadal's slice on the stretch.

[Shindig]

We've just won a Davis Cup match because some Canadian bairn twatted the umpire in the eye with the ball. :D

[niko_cee]

Yeah, I just flicked it on as that had happened and wondered what the fuck was going on. Absolutely nailed him.

[Reg]

He really whacked it. The umpire's eye looked awful.

France in the quarters should be a good tie.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/38876724

Fucking hell it looks bad.

[Kikó]

I bet that umpire is seething as well. Ball in the face provokes ultra violence.

[Reg]

I think you can safely say Djokovic is BACK. Great match with Del Potro (who could win a slam this year). It'll take a while for him to shift Murray off no.1 but I think it's happening.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/scores/current/indian-wells/404/daily-schedule WOOF. Kyrgios v Djokovic (again) and Nadal v Federer just in case the world hasn't had enough of those. That half of the draw was insane.

[Reg]

I know people hate Kyrgios but against Zverev he played some absurd/brilliant shots worth sharing:

https://www.facebook.com/TennisTV/videos/10155220371808958/?autoplay_reason=all_page_organic_allowed&video_container_type=0&video_creator_product_type=2&app_id=2392950137&live_video_guests=0

He seems to have knuckled down this year. Recording him taking on Federer to watch tomorrow.

Also Konta is in the final tomorrow.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He'll have a chimpout against Federer when things start going against him.

[Reg]

He did have a go at a lines judge in the Zverev match (when actually he benefited from being allowed to challenge stupidly late) just when I was warming to him.

But he honestly looks really focused. I'm glad he's still got the entertainer in him though. Be nice if he smiled when he won matches...

[Shindig]

He clearly sounds like he'd rather be doing something else. Like, as in he only does this because it's a thing he's good at.

[Reg]

Federer v Kyrgios was truly fantastic. One of the best matches I've seen in the last few years. And one of the most tense. Kyrgios looks like he really cares; I've been in the 'he's not going to win Slams' camp for a while but it'd be a big surprise if he doesn't now. He's sporting too - this week he's told Zverev and Federer to challenge calls (rightly) and conceded a point to Federer when a call was slightly late and was going to be replayed.

[Shindig]

Okay, the Fed Cup finally gets interesting with Nastase going full racist and Joanna Konta having to leave the court in tears. Her sports psychologist offed himself so she's not in the best of minds to begin with. Meanwhile, Sharapova's agent is having a go at players younger than Maria for being 'journeymen out to get a Grand Slam'.

The fucking state.

[John Arne]

I don't want to sound like a dick (but I'm probably going to...), but Konta crying because Nastase called her a "bitch" is a bit weird... I mean surely you just ignore the crazy old fucker - why on earth would you start crying?

I could kinda get it if her psychologist died last week... but he died last year.. so this just seems a tad weird. Despite all this, Nastase is clearly a massive cunt.

[Giggles]

Not much of a psychologist if he topped himself.

[Shindig]

He died last year but the inquest into his death was this week.

[John Arne]

Ah, ok - that makes a little more sense.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

At a news conference to preview the tie in Constanta, which starts Saturday, Romania's captain was heard to say of Williams' baby, due in the autumn: "Let's see what colour it has. Chocolate with milk?"

:lol:

That is brilliant.

[phonics]

Not really...

[Disco]

Or at all. Nastase sounds like a fucking dickhead.

[Shindig]

Nastase swore at the umpire before abusing Johanna Konta and GB captain Anne Keothavong - calling them both "a bitch" multiple times - leaving Konta reduced to tears.

Before the tie began, he also put his arm tightly around Keothavong and asked for her room number, in earshot of the watching media.

I wonder what he does to his own players?

[Kikó]

Luckily, he knows their room numbers.

[Waffdon]

Nadal has won 93% of matches on clay. :cab:

[Reg]

What a dude. Huge favourite for the French.

[Shindig]

Saying that makes you realise how off the boil Djokovic has been.

[Reg]

Doesn't look like he's enjoying it anymore to me. Needs to get the love back.

[Reg]

French Open started yesterday. ITV4 and Eurosport 1&2 for anyone interested.

Kerber (world no. 1) going out is the one shock so far.

[CJay]

It seems like the women's world no. 1 gets knocked out of nearly every grand slam early on. Unless it's Serena Williams.

[ItalAussie]

Kerber's not a clay-court player at all, right?

Muguruza could drop out of the top ten entirely if she doesn't get a good result in this tournament. She seemed to be fantastic, too.

[Mazuuurk]

Anyone know of good free streaming sites where I can find streams of this?

[Reg]

11 French players on the men's side have gone out so far, including Simon. Tsonga currently in trouble as well - 2 sets down although serving for the 3rd.

[Mazuuurk]

Stuck some cash on Tsonga, which was stupid. He looks really unfocused.

[Reg]

Woof. The end (for now) of that Tsonga match was great. Lovely volleys and forehands from Tsonga, and some drop shot flair from both of them. The match will finish tomorrow - it's too dark tonight.

The ITV4 presenter has just made a great point - with any changes to the tennis scoring system, getting rid of duece and all that nonsense, you would lose so much drama and exciting back and forth.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/40103968

She's absolutely mental.

[Shindig]

I mean, two of the most successful women players ever were openly gay.

[ItalAussie]

I have absolutely no idea who's going to win the womens' event. Maybe Muguruza again?

[Byron]

I'd fancy Halep to win it, but in reality there's about 15 women who could, the women's draw is always a bit mad without Serena or Sharapova.

[John]

The state of the crowd at the Djokovic match, keeping a Mexican wave going for a full minute while the players are at the line waiting to go.

[John Arne]

It does my head when tennis players wait for silence when playing. Just fucking get on with it.

[John Arne]

That said, the Mexican wave is fucking shit.

[Reg]

Feel sorry for Schwartzman. Take one of the greatest players ever to a fifth set, and then your bloody ribs screw you over.

The time violation thing is a bit of a problem in tennis. Either enforce it as a rule consistently or stop pretending it is one.

[Reg]

I have absolutely no idea who's going to win the womens' event. Maybe Muguruza again?
Out today. I thought she'd do well too. But I heard on the commentary today that she'd 'failed to build any type of clay court season', going out early in previous tournaments. Looking it up (https://matchstat.com/tennis/player/Garbine%20Muguruza) she actually did well in Rome but that's pretty much it.

Really nice tie tomorrow in Wawrinka v Monfils.

[Shindig]

She got done by the crowd a bit as well.

[Reg]

Yeah I saw a set and a bit of it and I was surprised by the crowd - overtly bias and there was even a bit of a football ground feel with the chants.

Did they give Muguruza stick directly?

[ItalAussie]

I guess Halep must be the favourite now?

[Reg]

I guess Halep must be the favourite now?
Yeah, must be. She beat Navarro 6-1, 6-1 today so it's looking good for her.

Thiem v Djokovic tomorrow. :drool:

Men's quarter-finals:
Murray v Nishikori
Wawrinka v Cilic
Carreno Busta v Nadal
Thiem v Djokovic

Nadal v Djokovic would be some semi. Murray's got a decent shot, this year may be his best chance of winning it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'd agree but I still think he'll get humped by Stanislas.

[Shindig]

Djokovic out. The meldonium ban must've hit him hard. Nadal's still daft on clay so I'd have him down as favourite.

[Reg]

Djokovic hasn't got the belief at the moment. Long road ahead, but hopefully he can build something great with Agassi.

Thiem played well though, and he beat Nadal in Rome so he's got a good chance.

[Kikó]

That vegan diet must have lost its magic.

[Reg]

Did you mean 'no gluten', or was that the joke?

[Reg]

Halep's playing excellently. This is her year.

Ostapenko (20 years old, 19 for most of this tournament) got through to the final.

edit- Jesus. Incredible movement from Halep.

[Byron]

Definitely Halep for me, she deserves a Slam.

I suspect Ostapenko will pick one up herself soon, with Sharapova having to work her way back up and Serena out for the forseeable future, this is going to be the best oppotunity for some people to pick up their first Slams.

[Reg]

I'd be really surprised if Sharapova won another. Already been a few years since her last. I think Muguruza or Halep will probably have the longest stay at no1 in the next few years.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Only got on for the tiebreaker but it's been serious quality with a smattering of derp at times.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Stan is on fire right now, it's a joy to watch.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

A seriously high quality match.

[Shindig]

Pity, as I'd like Andy to get closer to the career slam. Nadal's gonna earn it.