Rafatennis Part II - Roland Garros 22 May - 5 June 2011

First topic message reminder :

So here we are then folks...the second slam of the year, with so much riding on it.

Will Novak get that No 1 that he so craves? Will Rafa get title No 6 to equal Bjorn Borg's records? Will Roger step back up and prove a threat and will Murray follow up his good form on the clay of Monte Carlo and Rome with a good run here?

The draw is out and Rafa faces John Isner in Round 1. Robin Soderling is in Rafa's quarter and Andy Murray in the same half.

Rafa has been in Paris for a couple of days already on the promotion trail with appearances at Armani and the Nike store. He's also been at the tournament site practising with Gilles Simon.

Good luck Rafa and vamos!

Hi Cats

Well Rafa can out looking a bit subdued and he was a little slower than usual, because his footwork is usually really good, and he did use athe iced towel at the changeovers as he obviously had a tempreture, but he played very positive Tennis. Terriffic serving, and was inside the baseline and attacking as much as he could...you could see he didn't want Feli to get to the net.

On the other hand, Feli just went into his shell and didn't play like he has been. It's as if facing Rafa, wondering how poorly he was and Rafa's groundies just totally confused him.

After hearing how ill he was feeling before the match started, I was expecting a one legged Rafa to chuck up on the court at any time.

Oh well, we'll see what tomorrow brings

I have just started watching my recording of the Rafamatch. So far Sky Marcus and Petch are driving me MAD with their whinging about how long the warm up takes. Petch pointed out that Feli sat down after Rafa - Marcus said he was simply following Rafa's example.

They are now claiming that they are Rafa fans and it's nothing personal

Oh and it was Rafa's inspiration left in the hotel, not his motivation!

<sends STRONG email to Sky>

Co-incidently, I was watching the same at the same time and found myself at the telly!

Evening all

Well, that makes three of us - Sky presenters very irritating at times!!

So far Rafa looks fabulous! Quick at the back of the court and sped up to a drop shot to win the point. So much better than yesterday, bless him.

Humph. Now they are moaning that the match was delayed because Rafa felt ill. have they forgotten how Murray delayed the match in Monte Carlo because he didn't know if he could play or not?!

I heard all this this morning as I managed to get a link to sky....god they really are terrible about Rafa aren't they, and it's nothing personal....like hell it isn't

Totti !!! The footballer that is ...

Yes ... Rafa was 16 minutes late, and Jeremy Bates said the rules are 15 minutes so he should have been defaulted.

25 minutes was it for Murray in MC ???

Allez Stan!

That's the kiss of death if ever there was one

I think it was about 25 min in MC Woofs.....he kept us waiting ages ....maybe sky marcus and co would like to make up an excuse for that one

But that was different Denz. That was an INJURY, not mere illness. And, anyway, Murray's British, so anything he does is ok with Sky Marcus & Co.

Evening all. Glad to see my favourite French player did me proud earlier. Just got to keep fingers crossed for my favourite Swiss now.

I think the only Sky commentator who really gets Rafa is Peter Fleming.

Sugar sugar sugar!

Peter Fleming is the only decent commentator - though usually Petch is ok too. They've got a bee in their bonnet today!

Silly me Angie.....I forgot that fact

Hi Womble...I gave up with Feds cos he was a set and a break up.....that'll teach me

Rafa is on not before 2 pm tomorrow (1 pm UK), after Muzza.

I've been happily watching the Fed/Gasquet match, and (and I know I should have expected this) just when Gasquet was getting back into the match, they hopped over to watch Murray. Haarrrumphhh!

Oh well, I'll watch Stan vs Djokovic instead.

2pm for Rafa. . Oh well, another unproductive afternoon for me!!

Me too.....will get myself settled for that one. It's lovely when Mr Denz is away

Thanks Rafan. I guess that means I must get in early and try and do a decent day's work in the morning.

At least Stan is extending Novak a bit. Three sets would be good.

To be honest, I gave Gasquet no chance, Denzy. I was just delighted he took it to three and left work assuming he would have collapsed in the 3rd.

Come on Stan ! Take some inspiration from Richard.

Djokovic stepping up a bit now. Stan needs to get the points finished quicker if he wants to have some chances here. In my expert opinion

Just to reiterate ladies...Rafa not before 1 pm our time (2 pm local time) (don't want you to miss any of it!).

Rafa for lunch!

Sky Marcus and Petch have been utter prats today. And yes ... Peter Fleming is the best of the bunch.

Evening ladies should that be <again>

I know I won't be able to leave work early tomorrow to watch Rafa's match because for some reason, I've been distracted this week. And as you know ... I keep the wheels of industry turning.

I don't think Womble's favourite Swiss player will come through this.

Well I've always said Rafa is so cute I could eat him on a butty.....maybe I'll get my wish! Mind you if i couldn't slip him in one of those HUGE baguettes we had for lunch every day at the tennis....I've got no chance now

rafandready wrote:Rafa for lunch!

Mmmm. Dreamily stares off into space!!!!<drool> (where's the drool smilie gone!!!|!)

Is Novak suffering from fever too, though?? Or the allergies even?

And Womble won't be getting Swiss Roll for lunch either

Denz

:drool: wasn't as good as VB's :drool: ... where there is lots of :drool:

Stanny !!!!!!

Novak was doing his usual thing of looking down and out and then comes storming through.

Apparently there are mutterings here and there on Twitter according to Sky Marcus...

How long did that second set last...10 minutes?!

Oh well...Stan rather fell away in that 2nd set...hey ho, on he goes to Soderling....can't see <dimples> beating him.

"Number 1 in all but ranking" ... that's what the commie said.

If he hasn't got the ranking ... he ain't number 1 !!! Tell me, was there all this rubbish last year about the No. 1 when Rafa was on a roll? If there was ... fair enough. But was there?

No there wasn't, Wooffie. Oh well, Go Robin (and I never thought I'd say that).

That's it....they're all going to go down with the <lurgy>

Nope, there wasn't....the glee in these commies voices is dreadful....why oh why are they so against Rafa

Cheering on The Sod <shudder>

Dark Side tomorrow night, ladies??

Night lovely Rafateers.
Better get to bed, as I'll have to put in a good shift tomorrow morning, cos I don't expect much to be done between 1.00 & 2.30pm!
Will no doubt be staring at Live Scores & hoping for Rafateer updates. (hint hint). Night all. Might see you on Dark Side?

Yes Woofs...dark side tomorrow night. We may need it

Night Night Angie

Night Night Angie

Probably a bit late, but night night all

Thinking back to this time last year - it wasn't about when (not if) Rafa got the No 1 ranking back, but when (not if) Roger was going to overtake Sampras' weeks at No 1 record

Anyway, to be continued tomorrow.



(PS. How do you say "come on" in Swedish?!

Kom Igen !!

I do have to say ladies I really enjoy your comments, I breeze through them from time to time. Denzilsmom i don't think Rafa would fit in a baguette LoL!. By the way you can't root for Sod of all people against Novak, Sod of all people. Anyway hope Rafa makes it through to the final and feels better, good luck to you.

Good morning all my luvverly Rafateers

SoCal....I'd find a baguette big enough to fit Rafa....and oh boy would I enjoy it!!

Hope we're all in a positive frame of mind for today Will see you all later for Rafamatch

I agree with socal, I think there's something morally wrong about supporting Soderling. It's just, I don't know, wrong...

WE KNOWWWWWWWWWWWWW !!!

But what's a Rafateer supposed to do????????

I used to travel to Sweden quite a lot with work and I asked them about Robin and they said ... "who?"

Morning all

I'm with Socal and MFC, supporting Sod is just wrong on so many levels

Excellent timing with the match today as it starts just as I clock off. Any news/tweets on how our boy is today?

I understand your predicament Woofs. Thankfully as a Murray fan I've been able to happily support anyone playing Soderling over the last few months

I just wish a draw was possible. Must admit, Sod v Djok was my most dreaded possible match when I bought O2 tickets. Would have gone to pub instead!