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!

He's heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Look very blue, tanned and relaxed. Just going through his routine before meeting at the net.

VAMOS!!!

Unbiased thoughts and views are very welcome to those of us stuck in the office with live scores.

You are on!! Rafa looks fabulous in blue and has had a very good reception. BBC will only stay with this match for an hour cos they will then show British wimmin's tennis. Will have to pop over onto Eurosport then and try to find it.

Hi all (that includes you MFC )

Just clocked off in time!!

Didn't realise Andy was playing earlier but well done to him.

Now then, no messing around Rafa, get this done in straights please.

And we are off!!

Rafa receiving.

Rafa making Isner play tennisss for the first point and Rafa wins.
2nd serve Isner and Rafa hits out.
S/V by Isner
Superb return off a 2nd serve by Rafa and Isner plays a volley, but Rafa comes rushing in and wins the point.
Rafa making Isner rally, but it is Rafa who hits out. 40-30
Lose shot off Rafa on 2nd serve, game Isner.

Rafa just finding his feet at the mo'

What's with all the blue today? Isner's cap, Rafa's shirt, both their sweatbands, heck even Rafa's shoes have some blue on them. Isner holds despite not making many first serves, Rafa still feeling his way into this one.

Commies annoying me already. They're counting amount of times Rafa bouncing the ball and it's only his first service game

Rafa first serve, Isner hits out.
Its very windy today.
Rafa hits a forehand DTL groundie out. 15-15
Isner hits out on a rally. 30-15

So far girls ... Rafa is ON the baseline.

Sam Smith likes the blue.

Rafa hits a loose one in the net.
ACE Rafa!! 40-30
ACE Rafa!! Game! <applause>

Uncle Toni also in blue, MFC

Wooffs, are you watching on Sky or Eurosport?

"vintage" dropshot in the net from Isner 0-15
Rafa gives up a shot called "out" cos he knows it was in.
Rafa return in net. 15-15
Another Rafa return in net. 30-15 (cos he's staying back for 2nd serves!!)
Rafa shot out.
Isner volley in net. 40-30
Isner shot out after Rafa 2nd serve return. Deuce
S/V tennis from Isner (although Rafa return was good). Ad Isner
ACE ... game Isner


Cats I'm watching BBC on red button

Isner serving well, Rafa needs to be patient and wait for the opportunities...

and WHAT'S WITH THE BLUE? I mean, I like Blue, it's a very nice colour, but there's such a thing as overkill...

MFC, you should love blue surely with your name. (Do Chelsea still play in blue?? Or is it not that Chelsea you are mad for?).

Wooffs, can't get BBC red button. Was hoping to find some better commies but seems I'm stuck with these two whoever they are.

Hope he hasn't just jinxed Rafa by saying he's never lost in the 1st round of a slam

Just for MFC ... NadalNews are running Go Blue! for Rafa where we send in pics of blue stuff as a bit of fun.

This is Rose Going Blue! for Rafa ...

Awww, Rose is adorable

Can I also say how scrummy Rafa looks in blue (please don't leave MFC, promise that is the last girlie comment from me).

Wooffs! She's nearly as cute as me LOVE it. Have you sent it to Miri?

Liking Rafa's play in this service game. Rafa serving well and moving nicely in the court.

Nothing to do with his play though according Sam Smith. Its Isner trying to play the points shorter. Nothing AT ALL of Rafa playing aggressive.

Ohhh ... John Lloyd says the court is playing fast and playing like a hard court. Will courts never play they what they are supposed to be any more???

Of course that picture is going to Miri, Rafan.

gah a couple of games ago I nearly posted saying Rafa would break at 3-3, but you won't believe me if I say so now...

and yes cats, my beloved Chelsea do still play in blue

Rafa playing some super aggressive play to get to 0-40. Marvellous stuff!!

Wooffs

I love Rose, Wooffie (and quietly I love that Rafa picture as well - 2008 ?).

good stuff from Isner to be fair, comes in and saves all three, with Rafa missing out on a couple of passes. if Isner is also wearing some blue stuff, does that mean he's supporting Rafa as well?

Massive forehand from isner saves another BP...

Afternoon Rafateers.
(Includes MFC)!
All I can say aboutRose, Wooffie is....Aaaawwww! She is GORGEOUS!
Not getting much done at work as usual as trying to watch live scores on phone.

5th time is a charm

Looking at the stats so far, Isner has a lot more winners than Rafa - is that following a big serve?

Come on Rafa - break him, DESTROY him - SAVE TENNIS!

Rafa breaks, isner going wide with a backhand after Rafa had got slightly lucky with a framed return which landed on the baseline (still you can't begrudge anyone being a bit lucky when returning Isner's serve can you?)

Would like to see Rafa try to take charge of points a bit more (think he's standing too deep behind the Isner second serve really)

I have a poor connection girls, so sadly my last post went awry.

Some very positive play by Rafa, so take heart.

Oh my word!! A SUPER cross court forehand by Rafa. 40-0

Good serve which Isner can't return. Game Rafa!! Good hold, honey!!!

Lovely passing shot there. Can't be easy passing someone that tall!

Sam Smith talks utter TOSH!!!

Spouting out like she knows about Rafa when there are RAFATEERS watching.

Shut up!!

Although she says he is an amazing, amazing human being is Nadal ....

Good game by Isner there. Mix up of play.

You do make me Wooffs.

Now come on Rafa, serve the set out please....

Anyhow ... <BEAMS> about your comments about my Rose because as everyone knows ... she is the most beautiful dog in the world.

And Womble, yes ... of course that picture is from Spring 2008. My favourite ever Rafa outfit.

I usually quite like Sam Smith as a commentator. She has a bit of a thing about Daveed. I remember her saying that she'd volunteer to console him when he lost at the USO a couple of years ago.

Sounds like it's pretty tough, but going ok...so maybe what we expected ?

Come on Rafa!! DO THIS.

Couple of good serves to get him up to 30-0.

Corrrrrrrrr ... lovely bendy serve onto the T and then a beautiful angled forehand for the winner. 40-0

COME ON RAFA!!

Dur ... shot in the net.

Isner out ... SETTTTTT RAFA!!

That was a routine set of tennis from Rafa. Nothing really troubled him and he could have taken his chances a bit sooner, but did it when he mattered.

Looking comfortable so far ...

first set to Rafa, easy enough really. The important thing about playing big servers is to make sure of your own service games to be able to put pressure on theirs and rafa did that very well in the first set here.

and Rafa immediately breaks, pretty awful game by Isner as he makes four unforced errors off the forehand side. rafa now very much in pole position

Rafa smacking his groundies here and Isner can't keep in it, hitting out. Rafa 30-0 up on his serve.

Another shot out from Isner for 40-15 Rafa ...

Nice move to net by Isner and he plays a nice winning volley ... 40-30

Trading a few shots, but Isner hits in net. Rafa break!!!

Good afternoon all my luvverly Rafateers

And a and a for MFC....none of that manly handshake stuff around here

Saw Rafa win the end of that set...and I assume by all comments he's getting through ok so far.

Did I hear Sam Smith say Wilander was a huge fan of Rafa's....I thought he couldn't stand him

Little <rose> looks totally adorable....trouble is it's wasted on Rafa....why oh why do I love a man who doesn't like animals

Isner can't play these rallys and is hitting loads of unforced errors. 30-15 Rafa.

Rafaserve, return out ...

OHHHHHHHHHHH ... what a beautiful bendy forehand down the line to win the game.

RAFA!!!

there's that trademark bending forehand down the line from Rafa as he holds for 2-0. Hi Denz

Denzy

Sam Smith said that Wilander was a massive Rafa fan.

Now that was a much better game from Isner's point of view. Changing all the shots and mixing it up.

We'll have less of that, thank you.

Yes, Mats, Barry Cowan and Ms Croft are founder members of the RF fan club.

Oh Rafa ... you are playing some lovely shots in this service game. <applause>

Super, dominant play in the court wins it to love.

Super return by Rafa for 15-30.

Rubbish Return by Rafa but he's having a pop at someone/something in the crowd.

His forehand went to pot as well.

Rafa getting a good pace on his serves today. Both returns out to give him 30-0.

Wow! He is punching that forehand. 40-0

ACE! Game Rafa.