Rafatennis Part III - We're all going on a summer holiday

First topic message reminder :

That’s the game: sometimes you win; sometimes you lose

Least said, soonest mended eh?

So we break up for our summer holidays and reflect on Rafa's half-year success that in any other season would be world-beating – a slam, a masters, a 500, another Wimbledon final and 4 other masters finals. Not Wimbledon Champion, not World No 1, but still leading every other player (other than he who must not be named) by a country mile.

Now is the time for mid-season conditioning, running repairs and riding around on a jet-ski in the Mediterranean. While I have used up nearly all my annual leave and have to start putting in the hard work <doom>. I know what I'd rather be doing.

The Montreal Masters starts on 8 August so we can reconvene in a mere 5 weeks and let's hope for more of the same…and Rafa – next time you win the toss against Djokovic – please choose to serve first, noh?

Vamos!

Tsonga's serving quite brilliantly really, credit to him for that. Rafa looks tired but is hitting it OK. Needs to hang in there and hope Tsonga's level drops a little

I guess the sort of plus point of Tsonga serving so well is that Rafa isn't running himself into the ground on the return games.

Right...it's 5 all

Rafa has 0-40 on JW serve

big serve...15-40

Rafa nets...and is mad..30-4-0

ace...poo deuce....

jeez JW is dull

Rafa misses on 2nd serve and he's mad again...very few chances




d/f...deuce

Rafa misses again off a 2nd serve

ace..game JW...only his bloody serve keeping him in this...this is why I hate Grass court Tennis at times

Rafa serves...and is 30-0 up

Calling Rafa a freak...pot and kettle Cash

nice c/c from Rafa..40-0

Tsonga nets..6 all T/B

Yes, I do love a Rafa TB - they make me even more nervous.

At least Wimbledon isn't as fast as Queens so serving (hopefully) not quite so important there.

JW serves..ace..1-0

Rafa serves

JW nets..1 all

oh a rally!!! which Rafa wins after JW misses c/c...2-1

JW

Rafa hits way out...hasn't got his eye in at all...2-2

ace from JW..3-2...so frustrating for Rafa

big 2nd serve from Rafa which bounces off the line..3 all...and Rafa will take it

JW nets...4-3 Rafa

D/F from JW....5-3 Rafa

Rafa challenges serve...was out...so 2nd serve for JW

and JW misses at net...Rafa dipped return low at net..6-3

and Rafa cleans up...set Rafa 7-6

Oh dear, oh dear. I'm a very confused person. I started off wanting Rafa to have a quick, but respectable loss (6-4 6-4 or something) and to be able to head off back to the sunny Med tonight, but now I don't want him to lose from the position of a set up. The boy is so frustrating.

2nd set...see how this goes

Rafa went for a wee

JW is muttering to umpire...Rafa watching

Rafa out of his chair first

Ullrich is waving his arms at JW

Rafa to serve

Rafa hits wide..0-15

Late call on Rafa serve...

Tsonga nets off a rally..15 all

Rafa nets..15-30....concentrate Rafa

and Rafa hits wide...now Rafa...come on don't dip here..15-40

nope..Rafa nets...and shakes his head...under no real pressure there just not concentrating properly 1-0 JW

JW to serve

Good rafa return..0-15

and Tsonga nets..0-30

Rafa hits way out of court..15-30

Tsonga hits long..15-40

big serve from Tsonga..30-40

and JW nets...game Rafa..1 all

Rafa serves

Tsonga nets..15-0

Rafa nets..15 all

ooh good volley from Rafa..30-15

big one-two from Rafa..40-15

JW nets...game Rafa 2-1

Tsonga serves

Mr Cameron is in the building

Ace..15-0

he nets..15 all

good one two from JW..30-15

but he hits b/h c/c...30 all

oh Rafa..he nets a sitter!!...40-30

and hits long again...game JW...2 all

Rafa serves

hits a good shot at net..15-0

good pass from JW..15 all

Rafa hits out..15-30...he's all over the place tonight

and another down the line shot from JW..15-40

JW nets...too keen 30-40

fabulous serve and dropshot at net from Rafa...deuce

JW hits long..challenge from JW..out Ad Rafa

a very smart serve from Rafa..game Rafa 3-2

If JW could get his act together he could really trouble Rafa...but he's not consistent enough at the moment

Yes, JW is one of those big flat hitters who can be a real problem when he's "on" (a la Soderling). He could certainly beat one of the really big names at a slam, but I can't see him being able to string, say, 3 of those performances together over best of 5 sets to be able to win the whole thing.

JW serves

Rafa passes him at the net..0-15

but a big dive and a good point from JW..15 all...both boys smile

ace..30-15

JW hits out..30 all

good rally but Rafa hits out ....40-30

great return from Rafa...deuce

Ace...ad JW

and again..game JW....3 all

Rafa serves

JW nets..15-0

JW hits out..30-0

oh Rafa is on the wrong end of a net cord..30-15

JW hits out...40-15

nice drop shot from Rafa...game Rafa..4-3

Evening

Womble, I have the same dilemma as you. I say to myself it would be good for Rafa to go out and get some rest, but then I want him to win everything

JW to serve

he hits wide..0-15

Rafa nets...got a bit stuck at the back of the court..15 all

Rafa nets again..30-15

and again..40-15

great pass from Rafa..40-30

but Rafa nets off some JW groundies...game JW 4 all

Rafa serves

JW nets..15-0

ooh Rafa misses a c/c..15 all come on Rafa

oh no...Rafa misses again..15-30....Rafa looks flat to me...not too much emotion

hmm...misses serve

net..2nd serve

big c/c from JW...Rafa got stuck in B/h corner..15-40

and Rafa misses..game JW....you could feel it coming

Yoohoo!! <waves>

Erm ... I want Rafa to beat him!!!

JW serves

But misses pick up at the net..0-15

ace..15 all and Rafa kicks ball in frustration

another big f/h from JW..30-15

ace..40-15

looks like a 3rd set and JW is getting confident

Rafa misses...set JW..6-4

Everyone writing Rafa's death sentence

Rafa

Hi Wooffs

<waves back> YooHoo Woofs!

This feels horribly like yesterday.

Enough of this virtual drink, just poured myself a real one. Someone please do the same as it's not good to drink on your own.

<clink>

I have a lovely G&T in my hand, Cats!

Evening all

Tsonga will win Wimbledon!

I'm off home now. Signal failure on my line so will have to take a detour on the overground, although that does at least mean I can follow the live scores.

Rafa serves

misses down the line..0-15

Womble are you still about?

and a big F/H from Tsonga....looks like Rafa is running on empty at the mo

nope..out from Tsonga..15-30

and hits long again..30 all

Rafa hits out from big JWshots..30-40

ace...deuce

good c/c from JW..ad

but hits wild...deuce

JW nets..ad Rafa

oh Rafa...misses a dropshot...deuce

good return off a 2nd serve..ad JW

i don't like this at all

and JW break Rafa..1-0

:clink: Wooffs

Rafa, you plonker...

But we love you anyway.

Right I can stop nattering now

This has nothing to do with this match...but I can't stand this bloke

Get yourself a drink Denz, you deserve it.

What time does the plane leave for Majorca tonight

<cheers> Woofs

My thoughts exactly! Is he still in the doubles?

Make the most of this Jo Willy

<laughing> We all have a nice little drinkie.

I don't like Tsonga either. And I've never been convinced that Rafa does. Can't say I particularly like his game, but he just doesn't appeal to me.

Maymo will be looking flights up on Easyjet. Better to be home for the weekend, Rafa.

He is still in the doubles..don't know if he'll play though

well J Dub up a double break in the third, and the way he's been serving today I can't see a way back for Rafa, who looks like he's heading out. Still, at least he got some decent grass court practice in and can now go home and have a nice rest up before wimbers.

Ahhh ... Eurosport have switched Ward. He has match point.

Fishing tomorrow...Golf Sunday...meals out and a bit of practice..sounds lovely Go home Rafa...forget the doubles

I finished my drink Better get another...

Please don't get bagelled Rafa. And why is everyone cheering for Tsonga

Nadal is not hoping for a miracle you stupid commie....he cannot do what his body demands

Cos there are some drunks in the crowd...nothing to do in the Rain break except drink.

Phew, no bagel. And that's more like it, cheering for Rafa now

And he's not the underdog you stupid commie That's both Denzi and me who think you are stupid.

El Tercio de Cambio are serving up this for desert.

Are we going to indulge next weekend, girls??

James Ward has got very tight in his match...apparently has had 5 MP

Oh yummy Woofs....if Feli could serve it to me as well....in a little white pinny...nowt else....just the pinny

Oh **** here he goes...Rafa really looks knackered...hope he's not too disappointed

rudey poo

Now, where's the party tonight?

Turned my stream off....I have no interest in what Tsonga has to say

Oh for god's sake...Ward has just lost the second set

Bravo Rafa. Great job as always. Go home, have some rest and see you at Wimbers.

Best result all round.

Absolutely Wooffs. Don't think he's going to be too disappointed. Well, of course he will as he is so competitive, but not devastated and no doubt once he sees the family and his lovely Xisca, he'll be fine

He'll wake up tomorrow morning in his little bed and just think...thank god I'm home for a few days

Back all refreshed for Wimbers...hurrah

I love gin ...