Topic: The Tennis Thread - Sponsored By Melt-downium

[Greatness]

Sharapova wins in her first match back

[Keith Lard]

Just saw this: http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39727651

This Bouchard is really a cow - don't like the way she conducts herself at all. One of the most smug, arrogant players on the women's tour.

I believe Sharapova took meldonoum in error and deserves her wild cards. She has achieved a lot in the game and deserves a second chance.

[Petadroli]

Just saw this: http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39727651

This Bouchard is really a cow - don't like the way she conducts herself at all. One of the most smug, arrogant players on the women's tour.

I believe Sharapova took meldonoum in error and deserves her wild cards. She has achieved a lot in the game and deserves a second chance.

She's been taking that drug for 10 years... I understand Bouchard to be honest. And now after a deserved two-year ban the red carpet gets rolled out for Sharapova's return. It's a big controversy and I understand both sides.

[S]

I loved Sharapova's reaction when she got asked a question from The Sun after her first match back.

Around eight minutes and twenty seconds into this press conference...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2vr53Am-MI

[Crosby Nick]

I loved Sharapova's reaction when she got asked a question from The Sun after her first match back.

Around eight minutes and twenty seconds into this press conference...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2vr53Am-MI

Haha, that's a decent start on the path to redemption!

[S]

Haha, that's a decent start on the path to redemption!

She's my new favourite player after that mate, love the pure disdain.

[Crosby Nick]

She's my new favourite player after that mate, love the pure disdain.

Quite amusing how she saw right through them straight away. Their coverage of women's tennis probably starts and ends with Wimbledon, first time in Stuttgart is probably right.

[Keith Lard]

Sometimes you can see from someone's vibe that they're telling the truth.

I believe Sharapova. And her hatred of the Sun makes me like her more.

Bouchard I simply can't stand.

[Crosby Nick]

Murray has just beaten Ramos in Barcelona who he lost to last week. He lost the first set and was twice a break down in the decider. Ramos served for the match at 5-4 but Murray broke back and won in the tie break.

[Gerry Attrick]

He'll play Thiem in the semi-final. That could be really tough, Thiem is one of the best clay court players in the world. Important for Murray to get these kind of matches under his belt though with Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros around the corner.

[Red-Soldier]

He'll play Thiem in the semi-final. That could be really tough, Thiem is one of the best clay court players in the world. Important for Murray to get these kind of matches under his belt though with Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros around the corner.

I would've thought Murray would have that match in the bag, what with him being world number 1, and clay being his "second best surface."

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I would've thought Murray would have that match in the bag, what with him being world number 1, and clay being his "second best surface."

 

He's really struggling against players he'd normally beat with loads in hand and that was happening on hard courts too.

[ggcc14]

I would've thought Murray would have that match in the bag, what with him being world number 1, and clay being his "second best surface."

 

He will have his shit together by the time Garros comes around - whether he beats Thiem or not, which I think he will in 3. Psychologically a huge win for him today, seen he was 6-2, 5-4 down and I thought he was going to get put out by the same dude in two weeks, the fact this time he sought a solution and overcame him is massive, although Ramos could have been abit drained.

Disappointing from Zverev, after the abysmal performance he put in vs Rafa, I was hoping for some sort of response. Seemed abit lily livered vs Chung

[DJBrenton]

I'm in Barcelona for the tournament and watched both Andy and Rafa today. I watched Thiem play Kyle and I have to say he'll be a tough nut for Andy tomorrow.

[ggcc14]

I'm in Barcelona for the tournament and watched both Andy and Rafa today. I watched Thiem play Kyle and I have to say he'll be a tough nut for Andy tomorrow.

Nice one, what are the grounds like? Roland Garros is one of the most picturesque sporting venues i've ever been to.

Don't judge Andy's chances on how Kyle performs, firstly Kyle isn't great on clay and in general just isn't all that - has a sucker punch forehand, that is it. Murray is world number one, whole other kettle of fish.

Thiem will get a set but lose in a close one imo. I backed Thiem for Garros last year and he unfortunately ran into a sterling Novak in the semi's, so i'm not oblivious to his talent or ability on clay, but I don't see him having enough to hurt Murray enough to edge the win. Murray has won both encounters 2-1 in sets, neither were on clay tho.

I would love to see Rafa or Murray win the french. Great to see Sharapova back too, important time to have her around, the women's game needs her to be honest.

[DJBrenton]

I'd particularly like Andy to win as this isn't normally on his schedule plus he'd be the first Brit to win it. The grounds are nowhere near as big as RG but I have to say, Real Club de Tennis de Barcelona have a glorious clubhouse complete with outdoor pool. I'm using David Lloyd courts while I'm here but if I moved to Barcelona (which is vaguely possible) I'd definitely join Real Club. On another note, I was surprised to find that pretty much none of the official clothing uses the sky blue that we associate with the tournament plus most of it has only a line drawing of their logo which doesn't make for appealling merchandise.

[ggcc14]

Cool, let me know when you move to BCN and i'll come and watch the tennis and stay at your gaff 

[ggcc14]

the semi's all look fairly straight forward to me.

Murray Nadal to progress to Barca final.
Bedene Pouille to reach Budapest final (Djere has been running great the past fortnight but so has Bedene)
Sharapova Siegemund in Stuttgart
Elise Mertens Svitolina in Istanbul


Roger/Tecau, Cabal/Farah, Atawo/Ostapenko, Srebotnik/Spears all to win their respective doubles matches, no idea about womens dubs in Istanbul.

[ggcc14]

I've noticed a kid getting some big results recently is Oscar Otte, looking forward to seeing him face some bigger names.

[JSteve]

Thiem takes the first set 6-2.

[JSteve]

Murray takes the second, 6-3.

[ggcc14]

Muz breaks to love.

[ggcc14]

Thiem went 4-2 up in the final set but Andy broke back instantly.

[ggcc14]

Grim Thiem breaks to end the match 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. Fair play to Dom

[Gerry Attrick]

Thiem is so good on clay. 

[ggcc14]

Thiem is so good on clay.

Do you think he will beat Nadal?

[Gerry Attrick]

Do you think he will beat Nadal?

I think he could beat him. Nadal leads their H2H 2-1 (all on clay) but I've got a feeling Thiem would get the better of him this time.

[DJBrenton]

It's been raining all morning here in Barca but just dried up. Looks likely the final will go ahead on time.

[Fordy]

I think he could beat him. Nadal leads their H2H 2-1 (all on clay) but I've got a feeling Thiem would get the better of him this time.

Nadal is the best clay court player ever. So Thiem will have to bring his A game to beat him.

It's very tough to beat Murray and then follow it up to produce even better to beat Nadal. Can't see anything but an Nadal win today.

[JSteve]

Nadal in straights for his tenth title in Barcelona. 

[Gerry Attrick]

Thiem got a kicking then. Nadal's in serious form.

Bedene lost to Pouille in the final in Budapest.

[Red-Soldier]

Nadal is big favourite for the French now in my opinion.

See how he gets on in the remaining warm ups, but he's clearly having his best year for a while, and is in good shape.

[Gerry Attrick]

Yes, would have to say that's he the favourite as things stand.

[Red-Soldier]

Yes, would have to say that's he the favourite as things stand.

He was a cash cow for me at the French in his prime, one of the deadest certs you could get in sports.

[Petadroli]

Belinda Bencic will be out for months after having surgery on her wrist. She had recurring injuries with her wrist in the last few months, that goes a long way to explain her really bad performances.

[Red-Soldier]

Belinda Bencic will be out for months after having surgery on her wrist. She had recurring injuries with her wrist in the last few months, that goes a long way to explain her really bad performances.

A real shame about her injuries, she was really making headway at the top 10 of the rankings.

Hopefully, she can come back okay.

[Red-Soldier]

Glad to see the cheat didn't win last week, she'll probablt get a wildcard at the French and Wimbledon though.

[Gerry Attrick]

Djokovic parted company with all of his coaching team this week. Don't think he's got a new one yet.

Konta is still rubbish on clay. She's won just 3 matches on it in her entire career.

[ggcc14]

It'll be weird not seeing Vajda in his box.

[ggcc14]

Bouchard beat Cornet yesterday, taking the 3rd set 6-1..