ROLAND GARROS 2017 - 28th May - 11th June - Main thread

[supergran]

Studio chat on EurosportUK and ladies match on ITV4 but seems to be behind in play. Have I missed something? Is it raining in Paris?

[Josephine]

Raining.

[supergran]

Raining.

Thanks. Just sat down and saw the conditions there. Much the same here....like November.

[Josephine]

Djokovic and Nadal matches cancelled for today. Will be busy day tomorrow. Still at least they lose their 2 day off advantage but Andy's match may not finish......

[themass15]

Should do if they start play at 11 a.m!

[exislander]

Weather rest of week is forecast to be fine.

[Hawkeye]

Are the interrupted ladies' quarters likely to get finished today?

[exislander]

If the rain has really gone should be ok now.

[exislander]

Oops raining again!

[Bardot]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DBp0VnNWsAAwrZ8.jpg

[dewster99]

Andy last up on chatrier tomorrow. Although that doesn't include finishing these matches as yet

[themass15]

Where did you see that? I can't find the info anywhere.

[themass15]

Oops I have just seen Bardot posted the information.

[dewster99]

I saw from Roland Garros twitter

[cazza99]

Full oop for Wednesday - http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/schedule17.html

[RosieBear]

Good luck Dom Thiem :cheer:

[Pam]

Come on Dominic!! :boogie:

[themass15]

Dominic breaks

[RosieBear]

What a battle! First blood to Dom who breaks for 2-1. Great match, only trouble is Rafa will be rubbing his hands together in glee :rolleyes:

[RosieBear]

Uggh. Poor game from Dom and it's back on serve.

[Pam]

Djokovic breaks straight back :sad: 2-2

[Caro]

Arrrgh!! Wish i could watch! Hate being stuck at flippin work during Grand Slams :grrr: Come on Dominic :cheer::cheer:

[themass15]

Very close at present. Hard to call the winner. Meanwhile Rafa has won the first set 6-2

[fah51]

Carrena Busta has retired...

[RosieBear]

Carrena Busta has retired...

Poor PCB....and as if Rafa needed the luck.:rolleyes:

Hopefully there'll be no umpires that Rafa deems suitable for the semi and he'll default :rolling:

[RosieBear]

Tiebreak time. C'mon Dominator! :swingin:

[Jane]

Wey-hey - first set to Thiem :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[RosieBear]

Yes! Dom takes the first set 7-6 (5) :clap: - keep going!

[Jane]

Glad Andy will not be playing on this court - it could be many many hours till he would be on court

[supergran]

Well done Dom.:cheer::cheer:

[Pam]

Keep going for it Dom :clap:

[Josephine]

Rafa has had a very easy ride. He has played magnificently and I'm sure he would be in the semis anyway, but none of his opponents has had the game to challenge him at all.

For us thank goodness! But think RG made a big mistake putting Djoko / Thiem on Lenglen from their point of view. This was always going to be the more competitive match. Crowd on biggest, presumably most expensive court with nothing to watch for nearly 2 hours.

[RosieBear]

Rafa has had a very easy ride. He has played magnificently and I'm sure he would be in the semis anyway, but none of his opponents has had the game to challenge him at all.

Totally agree. Really wish qf had been other way round and Dom played Rafa. Dom would have challenged him hard. Nole/Dom is a battle...not sure the winner will have enough left to trouble Rafa, unfortunately. Oh well, such is life, but it is frustrating.

[dewster99]

This is brilliant. Novak struggling with doms power

[Josephine]

Totally agree. Really wish qf had been other way round and Dom played Rafa. Dom would have challenged him hard. Nole/Dom is a battle...not sure the winner will have enough left to trouble Rafa, unfortunately. Oh well, such is life, but it is frustrating.

Rafa could be No 2 in the world soon and then challenging for No 1.

[Jane]

Dom 3 - 0 up in the second set :dance:

[RosieBear]

Rafa could be No 2 in the world soon and then challenging for No 1.

Groan :hmm::hmm::hmm::hmm::hmm:

But in better news, Dom is playing great. His heavy artillery reminds me of Stan's big time, and Nole has struggled with that too. Keep going Dom; do this in straights, then beat Rafa and I'll love you forever :love::big grin:

[Jane]

Second set to Dom - great stuff :dance: :dance: :dance:

[RosieBear]

Wahey - Dominator 2 sets up! :cheer: Keep going kid :swingin:

[Pam]

Wow! Them!!

[RosieBear]

Dom playing off the chain - breaks in first game of 3rd. C'mon!

[Caro]

Wow! Just checked livescores ... well done Dom, keep it going lad!!

[RosieBear]

Dom goes double break up. Nole extremely rattled. Bury this match Domi - let's go!

[Pam]

This is extraordinary! Them breaks again 3-0

[RosieBear]

Dom 4-0 up, Nole has no answers.

[fah51]

Nole looks a lost soul.

[RosieBear]

Nole looks like he's checked out mentally.

[dewster99]

Novak tanking?!?!

[Caro]

Can't believe what I am not seeing at the moment .... Djoko 2 sets and a double break down. Surely he can't come back from here? ... he can't can he?

EDIT: Sounds like you all think Djoko's not up for the fight ... so unlike him even at this stage of a match!

[RosieBear]

Nole staring at a bagel

[RosieBear]

5-0 - let's do it Domi my boy!!!

[fah51]

This is just wierd....

[dewster99]

He looks like he just wants to get off court. Domi has absolutely battered him into submission. Shows how crucial that first set was for Dom

[Jane]

WOW - well done Dominic Thiem - :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

[RosieBear]

Amazing. Isn't Dom something else? Hope nobody detracts anything from him, because he has been immense today and earned Nole's capitulation. Sooo happy for him. Plenty left in the tank to take on Rafa too.:thumbup:

[fah51]

Yes!!!! Can't wait to be there for Domi v Rafa on Friday!!

[RosieBear]

Yes!!!! Can't wait to be there for Domi v Rafa on Friday!!

Oooh, enjoy you lucky thing! Give Domi a huge cheer me :thumbup:

[lynne]

Just got home from shopping, switched on tv & WOW WOW WOW young Dom I knew you were good but
What a scoreline..... Bravo young man, Bravo!!

[Caro]

O ... M ... G!!!! He's done it and done it with a bagel! Thiem has been awesome on the clay this season and Djoko ... well, hasn't so I guess this match has gone to form. Even so I would NEVER have predicted a 6-0 set and not straight sets either .... WOW

[Josephine]

Pretty unexpected! Well done to Thiem. Next gen is definitely coming. Zverev winning a Masters and Thiem in a slam semi-final.

[Josephine]

O ... M ... G!!!! He's done it and done it with a bagel! Thiem has been awesome on the clay this season and Djoko ... well, hasn't so I guess this match has gone to form. Even so I would NEVER have predicted a 6-0 set and not straight sets either .... WOW

Djoko just checked out mentally in the 3rd set - not really fighting.

[themass15]

Wonder if Djoko is finished as a big player. Also do you think he will take a wild card into Queens or Halle?

[Josephine]

So Rafa provisionally No 2 in world now I am hearing. Thiem will be challenging for the top soon too.

Don't think Djoko is finished.

We will have to also prepare ourselves for a bumpy ride when Andy has so many points to defend in next months.

[Caro]

Djoko just checked out mentally in the 3rd set - not really fighting.

That's what i find so surprising. He would NEVER have done that before.

Reading on BBC that he will drop out of the top 2 for first time since 2011

[fah51]

Oooh, enjoy you lucky thing! Give Domi a huge cheer me :thumbup:

Thanks :big grin: I might have to find myself an Austrian flag.

[Pam]

Extraordinary third set from Djokovic He just seemed to give up .

[sir coolerking]

That's what i find so surprising. He would NEVER have done that before.

Reading on BBC that he will drop out of the top 2 for first time since 2011

At the rate he's going, he won't even be top 4 for much longer.

[dewster99]

First time he's been bagelled in a slam since 2005 and only 3rd time ever

[themass15]

He is 3rd in ATP live rankings now.

[RosieBear]

Pretty unexpected! Well done to Thiem. Next gen is definitely coming. Zverev winning a Masters and Thiem in a slam semi-final.

Dom made the semi here last year. He's the real deal. The stars aligned for Sascha to get that masters and good luck to him, but for my money there's only one next gen'r on the verge of breaking through, and that's Dom.

[Josephine]

Would be ironic if Stan and Cilic get on to court before Andy! ;) Could happen depending how Ladies matches go.

Plus we don't know yet if Andy will get any further than Djoko in French Open so perhaps we should be careful with our gloating.

[RosieBear]

I'm genuinely really happy for Dom...what it means for Andy/Nole is a secondary bonus for me :)

[ljs]

wow , wish I had gotten up early to see Thiem !!!!
Good for him , hes something else , love his game !!

[JAMES4578]

By all accounts a great performance from Thiem, pleased he got another big win and this one more significant! ! However seems not all well with Djokovic, not a champion's resistance in the 3rd! Think Nadal tougher assignment though.

[Jan]

Missed this. Well done to Thiem!

[Jan62]

The first set was pretty brutal and I had visions of it going to a long 5 setter. Fair play to Dominic, he did great. But that 3rd set was a total capitulation by Novak and I don't remember him ever doing that before. I'm not complaining, and I like Thiem but it's clear Novak still has mind issues and that's a bit sad. We've watched Andy struggle mentally very recently and that was horrible, hopefully he's back on track now, but it should make us a little more sympathetic to the position of Novak. Whatever, it's good news for Andy's ranking and hopefully he can get past Kei!

[RosieBear]

The first set was pretty brutal and I had visions of it going to a long 5 setter. Fair play to Dominic, he did great. But that 3rd set was a total capitulation by Novak and I don't remember him ever doing that before. I'm not complaining, and I like Thiem but it's clear Novak still has mind issues and that's a bit sad. We've watched Andy struggle mentally very recently and that was horrible, hopefully he's back on track now, but it should make us a little more sympathetic to the position of Novak. Whatever, it's good news for Andy's ranking and hopefully he can get past Kei!

I do agree Jan, that it's not Novak of old that we're seeing...but how much of that is Novak having confidence/mind-issues, and how much that his opposition don't roll over anymore? Personally I feel both aspects play a role and feed into each other. I also feel that the Novak confidence/mind side is being exaggerated in the press; he rode a wave for a long time when his only genuine rivals, the other big 4ers, were struggling with issues that they have all now overcome. Winning the French and having Andy, Rafa and Fed back to health were always going to impact on Nole's results/dominance and diminish his aura of invincibility. And subsequently lower ranked players have had more belief against him. Imo no way are we seeing the end of him as a top player, it's simply a normalisation that was inevitable. The only mind issue that Novak has to come to terms with is that he's not going to have everything his own way anymore. Sorry but I don't have sympathy for him the way I do for Andy's struggles; Nole made a lot of hay when the sun shone, it's just too bad for him that it's now different.

[Josephine]

Nole was defeating Fed, Rafa and Andy when they were all fit and healthy and playing well.

Sure he will be back.

[Alis]

Just a thought - after losing the second set perhaps Djoko decided that winning a long five setter against Thiem would not put him in a good position to play a fresh Rafa on Friday so maybe it just wasn't worth it. Don't write him off yet though. I bet he'll start practising on grass straight away and come back with all guns blazing for Wimbledon - particularly with Agassi in his camp.

[RosieBear]

Nole was defeating Fed, Rafa and Andy when they were all fit and healthy and playing well.

Sure he will be back.

True. But they also beat Novak when they were healthy i.e. the wins were more equally shared. The utter Novak dominance and being virtually unbeatable tied in the other guys struggles.

[ljs]

But that could be said for many top players who came to dominance when others were struggling , or the competition wasnt so great .
All part of the game

[Josephine]

Nole beat Rafa and Fed consistentley when he was on top - they were not particularly struggling then.

[RosieBear]

But that could be said for many top players who came to dominance when others were struggling , or the competition wasnt so great .
All part of the game

Exactly ljs - which is my I called it an inevitable normalisation. It's not anything that Nole's doing wrong, it's just the game changing around him.

And sorry Josephine but Andy was immense second half last year, Fed and Rafa brilliantly resurgent this year... it's not just down to Nole. Other players effect things.

People suggesting that it's just down to Nole's mindset are doing him no favours imo; what went before was unsustainable.

[Josephine]

Nole is nowhere near the player he was when he was at the top. He was dominant when all other 3 were fine. Not the same for Andy as you point out - rafa and Fed weren't even playing.

Agree for Nole was unsustainable but he has lost something.

[RosieBear]

Nole is nowhere near the player he was when he was at the top. He was dominant when all other 3 were fine. Not the same for Andy as you point out - rafa and Fed weren't even playing.

Agree for Nole was unsustainable but he has lost something.

Agreed - so we'll call it a draw then, Josie Jo! :grouphug:

[themass15]

Stan serving for the match

[Josephine]

Agreed - so we'll call it a draw then, Josie Jo! :grouphug:

Think we had better! :grouphug:

Sometimes good to argue in a complete circle!

[patlowe]

I was sorry I had to miss the Thiem/Djok match this morning. (Just made it home in time for the start of Andy's match!) On the way home in the car I nearly bumped into the car in front of me when I heard the result on the radio!! Not that I was overly surprised at the result...just delighted for Thiem. Thank you for all the really interesting and informative posts about what I had missed. Enjoyed them all and loved the differing points of views too...all very interesting and balanced. So Thiem vs Nadal? H'mmm. Interesting! Friday shaping up to be a very entertaining day!!

[supergran]

True. But they also beat Novak when they were healthy i.e. the wins were more equally shared. The utter Novak dominance and being virtually unbeatable tied in the other guys struggles.

Let's not forget Andy beat Novak in two finals.:big grin::big grin:

[themass15]

Unfortunately I will miss most of the first semi so hope Andy is 2nd on that day.

[RosieBear]

Really good presser from Nole :clap: Hope someone (aka Bardot) will post it. Pragmatic and thoughtful and none of the hysteria of the media (ooooohh he's unraveling his way out of the top 2 :rolleyes:). The pundits have lost their favourite object of faux concern, ie Fed (their calls for his retirement were a disgrace), so now it's all about Nole. They should leave him alone; he doesn't deserve (or need) pity as if he's in some dreadful situation, that's been brought about solely by his shortcomings.
Novak himself taking the current situation for what it is, just a passage of his career that he has to find his way through. Good for him :thumbup:

[lynne]

Really good presser from Nole :clap: Hope someone (aka Bardot) will post it. Pragmatic and thoughtful and non of the hysteria of the media (ooooohh he's unraveling his way out of the top 2 :rolleyes:). The pundits have lost their favourite object of faux concern, ie Fed (their calls for his retirement were a disgrace), so now it's all about Nole. They should leave him alone; he doesn't deserve (or need) pity as if he's in some dreadful situation, that's been brought about solely by his shortcomings.
Novak himself taking the current situation for what it is, just a passage of his career that he has to find his way through. Good for him :thumbup:



Have to agree RB, having just watched it!

[Bardot]

#Nolefam seething at this brilliance from Eurosport (https://twitter.com/Eurosport_UK/status/872509738155745282). :big grin: :big grin:

[Caro]

Really good points re: Nole. I'm a bit soft so I do feel a bit sorry for him, not because he's losing but the way he's losing ... and he is clearly struggling with something, ?motivation. Totally agree that he's not finished though. He will work it out ... unless he decides he doesn't want to and disappears into the sunset ;) :whistle: :laugh:

[RosieBear]

Really good points re: Nole. I'm a bit soft so I do feel a bit sorry for him, not because he's losing but the way he's losing ... and he is clearly struggling with something, ?motivation. Totally agree that he's not finished though. He will work it out ... unless he decides he doesn't want to and disappears into the sunset ;) :whistle: :laugh:

I wouldn't ever wish him bad times..I'm not like that...but Nole lost in the QF of a slam to a very talented player. That's not too shabby, a career high for many, and only seems like a poor result because of how high Nole had set the bar in the past. I totally agree that he's not playing his best/ most resilient but no player ever does all the time, forever. I'm a total softy too, but what makes me feel really bad for Novak is not his losses over the last year, but the exaggerated media reaction to them as if there are dreadful and a result of him having "issues". There are so many factors outside of Nole's control, not least what other players do, that play a role, so the absolute worst thing Novak can do is believe that his reduced dominance is all about him and therefore regaining it is simply in his own hands if he plays better . Imo, that is totally unrealistic, will drive him crazy and just a way to heap pressure on. Anyway, I've had my say on this - I wish Nole well, and congratulate him on making yet another QF in a slam.:thumbup:

[supergran]

I don't feel sorry for him. He's the holder of countless Grand Slams and Masters, has been No 1 for what seems a century, is a multi-millionaire and is now experiencing a downturn in his sporting fortunes. He may very well, like the Phoenix, rise again. It's tennis, it's sport, it's only a game in the great scheme of things. If there's something wrong with him he has the money and contacts to sort it, whether physical or mental. I'm not wasting any sympathy on him as I'd much rather feel admiration for Theim who played so well and sent a message to the top four......Be afraid, or at least, be a bit nervous.:big grin:

[cazza99]

oop for Thursday - http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/index.html

[cazza99]

oop for Friday - http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/schedule19.html

Andy vs Stan 11.45 UK time

Thiem vs Rafa not before 2.30 pm

[Linda]

Should be two terrific matches today!

[themass15]

The first one has definitely lived up to its billing!

[ljs]

Cmonnnnn Thiem !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bardot]

This is what happens when you play Andy at a slam. Del Potro has withdrawn from Hertogenbosch & Khachanov from Stuttgart.

[patlowe]

I need a wee break before settling down for this! But looking forward to it too!

[RosieBear]

Really hope Dom can get the win :peace:

[ljs]

3 - 1 Nadal :sleepy:

[patlowe]

This match doesn't have half the charisma and excitement of the first SF. Finding it difficult to become involved. Maybe cos it looks sort of inevitable?

[Caro]

You have got to hand it to Rafa though the way he has come back. It's truly amazing what he is doing and I don't find it boring at all! It's exciting to have 2 of the game's all time greats back competing for the big prizes again. I know Rafa is not popular on here these days but I for one hope he gets 'La Decima'.

EDIT: Have to agree this match has an inevitability about it that the first semi most definitely did not so I take that point. Plus for those lucky enough to watch Andy's match, it's the let down too after what sounded like an incredible contest.

[dewster99]

If Andy can't win it I really want Rafa to get his tenth. Grown to like thiem but rafa has always been my second. Thiem hasn't been consistent but the big hitting has worked. I think the final could be close, rafa is a great defender as well like Andy but Stan hits so much flatter than thiem

[themass15]

This is what happens when you play Andy at a slam. Del Potro has withdrawn from Hertogenbosch & Khachanov from Stuttgart.
Hope Delpo doesn't withdraw from Queens

[ljs]

This match doesn't have half the charisma and excitement of the first SF. Finding it difficult to become involved. Maybe cos it looks sort of inevitable?

It sure doesnt !!!! Im doing laundry :lol:

I guess if your a Rafa fan tho , its wonderful

[lynne]

Sad for young Thiem, but a big learning curve, his time will come.....great for him to get this far!!!:thumbup:



Now Rafa you have the hunger,so blow Stan right off the court :thumbup:

[RosieBear]

Tough one for Dom but another excellent tournament. I respect Rafa as a player, but find him a bit irritating and phoney - definitely supporting Stan in the final, just love his style.

[lynne]

Tough one for Dom but another excellent tournament. I respect Rafa as a player, but find him a bit irritating and phoney - definitely supporting Stan in the final, just love his style.


Respect your train of thought RosieBear!!...:thumbup:

[ljs]

Too bad for Thiem , not surprising I suppose
I didnt see too much of it , a 3rd set bagel ? was Rafa that good ? or did Dom play badly ?

[RosieBear]

Too bad for Thiem , not surprising I suppose
I didnt see too much of it , a 3rd set bagel ? was Rafa that good ? or did Dom play badly ?

Have to credit Rafa, he was excellent, and Dom had no answers in the 3rd.

[ljs]

just read on another site that Thiem was abysmal , oh well , a lesson learned i guess

[dewster99]

He wasn't terrible at all. He just went for it on every shot so obviously made a lot of errors. He was hitting hundred mile an hour forehands 2 or 3 times in a rally but it was still coming back. By the third he just didn't know what he could do

[themass15]

Will be supporting Rafa, although I also like Stan. Can't wait to see them (and most of all Andy) at Queens.

[clancy]

I didn't see either of the semis, Andy's through my voluntary work at the local hospital (but will watch my recording tomorrow) and Rafa's because felt it was a foregone conclusion. Oddly enough I probably will watch the women's final tomorrow as I enjoyed their semis and not the men's on Sunday. Don't want Stan to win more slams than Andy so will be rooting for Rafa.

[lovetennis]

Not overly fussed who wins the final, but if pushed would prefer Rafa - La Decima would be a great achievement

[dewster99]

Stan already missed more than he did against Andy haha

[karanga]

Vamos Rafa!!! :yahoo::yahoo: :yahoo:

[themass15]

Like Stan but have to say vamos Rafa!

[Hawkeye]

So annoying, Andy would have had the Stan that has showed up today on toast.

[clancy]

Stan's game unraveling somewhat.

[roytennisfan]

Rafa playing as well as ever, nobody could live with him at RG in this form

[dewster99]

Glad Andy didn't have face this. It's just god like

[roytennisfan]

Saw Rafa demolish Roger in the 2008 final conceding only 4 games (1,3 & 0). Stan has already managed 5!

[Alis]

I would suggest that Stan's final was his match against Andy. No matter how fit he is, that was bound to take a lot out of him both emotionally and physically.

[Jan]

Just home. Rafa just too good? Is Stan playing as well as he did vs Andy??

[lynne]

Just home. Rafa just too good? Is Stan playing as well as he did vs Andy??


Rafa just too good and Stan nowhere near as good! Rafa not giving Stan a chance!

[DaveArneRiise]

So annoying, Andy would have had the Stan that has showed up today on toast.

Stan probably didn't have much left after the match with Andy.

[Alis]

I would have been interested to see just how a fit Andy would have done against Nadal. Probably not any better than Stan but, Andy's style is so different, he might have posed some problems for Rafa.

[Josephine]

Rafa playing amazingly. Stan has no chance. You can't possible compare how Stan is playing with how he played against Andy as Rafa is playing like a God.

Thank god we are not watching Andy suffer this. Sorry I do not believe Andy could have put up a better performance than Stan against Rafa playing like this.

[Reef]

Rafa is definitely benefiting from the Samson effect. Hair=confidence ;)

[Josephine]

I know you are teasing, but funnily enough I think you are right in some way. I think he was really disturbed by the hair loss - otherwise why go for the transplant. And it affected how he felt about himself...

[roytennisfan]

Amazing Rafa, just turned the clock back to his prime

[Alis]

Hat's off to Rafa - he certainly thoroughly deserved that today. :clap: I do think that Stan's match with Andy took a lot out of him and it may well have been a closer match if Stan had been fresher, but I still think Rafa would have won it. I'm not really a Rafa fan but ten titles at RG is an amazing achievement - well done Rafa! :worship:

[lynne]

Just remarkable!...Congrats Rafa!!!! #10

[RosieBear]

That was just a jaw-dropping display. Congratulations to Rafa :clap::trophy:x10. Nobody could have stopped him, and I couldn't care less about the points; I'm so glad Andy wasn't on the receiving end of that brutalisation. Much better to have gone out with a bang in a tough tussle with Stan. Another inspiring tournament for the 30 plusers.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[Golden Lady]

That was just something else from Rafa Nadal! Huge congratulations to him, an utterly outstanding performance and an unbelievable achievement!

I am soooo relieved that it wasn't our Andy out there today ;)

[Bardot]

We'll never know how Andy would have fared against Nadal but what we do know is that he and we would have gladly welcomed the additional 480 points for making the final. Don't understand the thinking that somehow it's better to avoid playing a match in case it's a heavy defeat.

[lovetennis]

Congrats to Rafa, certainly the greatest clay-court player of all time. Completely unbeatable on the surface over 5 sets. Also a great achievement to come back after the injuries he's had. A few years ago I thought he wouldn't win another GS. How wrong I was. Nice to see Uncle Toni on the podium too :bravo:

[Hawkeye]

Dull. Dull dull dull dull dull.

[Josephine]

Women's final was better.

But no-one better than Rafa on clay. Congrats to him!

[Linda]

Well done, Rafa!:clap::clap::clap::trophy::yahoo::worship::lo ve::bravo:

[pabbers]

What a damp squibb.

[Josephine]

We'll never know how Andy would have fared against Nadal but what we do know is that he and we would have gladly welcomed the additional 480 points for making the final. Don't understand the thinking that somehow it's better to avoid playing a match in case it's a heavy defeat.

What I was talking about was my level of suffering if I had seen Andy destroyed by Nadal. And I do think that could have sapped Andy's confidence which is only just returning.

Of course I wanted him to win on Friday, but as he didn't I am truly glad I did not have to watch him lose horribly to Nadal (which he would have done).

[patlowe]

All I can do is add my congrats to Rafa for an immense achievement. It wasn't the match of the tournament however. Of the 6 matches Andy played in RG, the match of the tournament (IMO) goes to one of them...the SF with Stan. That match had everything. It will last long in my memory.

[clancy]

Well done, Rafa, in a league of his own on clay; don't think Andy could have lived with him today but still sad he didn't get the opportunity of trying for the French slam again. What a great head of hair Nadal is sporting these days (unlike our Andy!). All to play for on grass; the weeks when I become a virtual hermit are fast approaching! x

[Bardot]

What I was talking about was my level of suffering if I had seen Andy destroyed by Nadal. And I do think that could have sapped Andy's confidence which is only just returning.

Of course I wanted him to win on Friday, but as he didn't I am truly glad I did not have to watch him lose horribly to Nadal (which he would have done).
Such certainty. It's sport, anything could happen. Nadal might have dislocated a finger tugging at his knickers. :p

[murrayfan89]

Happy for Nadal but still feel a little weird that 2 players now have overtaken Sampras' record. Was a big fan of Pistol when I was a kid.

[fah51]

Well done Rafa, not a player I particularly like but good to have been here to see history made. He was really on a different planet today and I think he would have pummeled Andy as well. Not as good as our Australian Open experience :whistle:

[roytennisfan]

Well done Rafa, not a player I particularly like but good to have been here to see history made. He was really on a different planet today and I think he would have pummeled Andy as well. Not as good as our Australian Open experience :whistle:

Hope you and JimmyG had a good time there, I decided not to go this time as I had managed to get to Andy's semi, panned out as I expected, Rafa easily in 3, roughly 2 hours

[themass15]

Glad Rafa won but a lot was probably taken out of Stan after his marathon match with Andy on Friday.

[Josephine]

Such certainty. It's sport, anything could happen. Nadal might have dislocated a finger tugging at his knickers. :p

Well it's fairly certain if that is the only way you can envisage Andy winning ;) And we would hardly have wanted Andy to win that way.

I love Andy and his style of play but sometimes we just have to be realistic. Rafa in this form could not be beaten on clay by anyone on the planet (in my humble view).:thumbup:

[rimarli]

Free McMillan said that Rafael should phone Andy and thank him for keeping Stan on court so long.

[RoastLamb]

So happy for Rafa!!! In the words of Tina Turner, simplemente eres el major!

[banskogirl]

A great piece of history to see today! Loved how Andy was mentioned, a lot, for making it easier for Rafa to beat Stan! If I wasn't an Andy fan I would've been very annoyed :laugh:

I do think Andy would've brought a different assault on Rafa and because of that there may have been a different outcome, but that wasn't to be and happy we are moving on to grass..............time for our grass King!

[ljs]

what can you say about that performance , Rafa is a beast on the clay again
I found it to be a bit of a snoozefest tho :getcoat:

[Silverdee]

For our first time at Roland Garros myself and Tennisfan were a little disappointed with today's match and the heat was almost unbearable! We kept thinking of Andy and his match against Stan on Friday. However we really really enjoyed the women's final yesterday, that was thrilling to watch, what a comeback, and it wasn't quite so hot! Now consoling ourselves with looking forward to seeing Andy at Queens.

[patlowe]

Suffering the usual post-slam glums!! :sad: But not for long!! Lots of great grass court stuff coming up...my absolute favourite time of year as my TV screen turns green! :grass:

[Silverdee]

Wondering if anyone has heard any feedback (criticism) yet of making fans get 2 tickets to watch both men's semis? I know this was the first year for this format and the way RG put it across was that it was an opportunity to see both matches. For those of you who have been before were the previous semis played at the same time on different courts?

We are considering going to the semis next year which would use up 4 tickets of our permitted allocation so hoping this format might be abandoned.

[Josephine]

I hate that it's going the same way as US Open and having ridiculous and time wasting crowd turn arounds after one semi final. Apparently because they may have evening matches when they have roof.

So just a way to make more money and crowd to see less tennis. So can't see how any fans would be happy with it...

[roytennisfan]

I hate that it's going the same way as US Open and having ridiculous and time wasting crowd turn arounds after one semi final. Apparently because they may have evening matches when they have roof.

So just a way to make more money and crowd to see less tennis. So can't see how any fans would be happy with it...

Totally agree, selling a mix of tickets for both or individual semi-finals - all about money, it did however, probably make it easier for me to get a last minute ticket just to see Andy in them though and I could do it on a day trip!

[goldfish]

I went to the SFs several years ago and they were always played one after the other on the main court. Annoyingly, as guests we had to eat lunch with our hosts meaning that we always missed the first SF completely. Can't remember if they started later this year so that those in hospitality saw the first match.

[roytennisfan]

I went to the SFs several years ago and they were always played one after the other on the main court. Annoyingly, as guests we had to eat lunch with our hosts meaning that we always missed the first SF completely. Can't remember if they started later this year so that those in hospitality saw the first match.

No started 12.45 to lots of empty hospitality seats, a lot of the ball kids with we are tennis shirts were in the front Loges until people arrived

[themass15]

I have been to the semis at least 3 times; wouldn't go now with only 1 match. A rip off I think.

[Caro]

I have been to the semis at least 3 times; wouldn't go now with only 1 match. A rip off I think.

It's only the same as the WTF though! And the matches there are only 3 sets! I have never been to the French so don't know how much tickets are but the WTF are extortionate for lower tier (not that it stops me going mind)

[themass15]

It's only the same as the WTF though! And the matches there are only 3 sets! I have never been to the French so don't know how much tickets are but the WTF are extortionate for lower tier (not that it stops me going mind)

You do get 2 matches at WTF so if one is over very quickly you do have at least the doubles which can often be the better match.

[roytennisfan]

I have been to the semis at least 3 times; wouldn't go now with only 1 match. A rip off I think.

Ah...but it was Andy....much better than 2 without Andy!

[Caro]

You do get 2 matches at WTF so if one is over very quickly you do have at least the doubles which can often be the better match.
We're talking singles here though, that's what brings in the punters and the money.

[JerryD]

Missed the final for the first time in years! Congrats to Raffa. Hopefully things will slow down now so I can't see some tennis lol