WIMBLEDON 2018

First topic message reminder :

Draw being done now. Fed has Lajovic in first round, Murray plays Benoit Paire. Cilic in Fed's half and Djoko in Rafa's half. Delpo is in Rafa's quarter, while Kyle Edmund plays Aussie qualifier Alex Bolt in first round.

Luke wrote:Judging by how long both sets have taken so far, if Nadal wins this set it doesn't look like it's going to Finnish tonight. Who does that favour in your opinion.

Nadal for the 3rd time has a break point in this game. And takes it.Nadal breaks straight away. 4-2.

I think it would favour Rafa as when it resumes the roof will be open and the elements of wind and sun etc will be more to Rafa's liking. However, with Rafa perhaps winning this set in the next few minutes they could possibly fit two more quick sets in so if somebody puts on a spurt it could yet finish tonight.

Rafa serving for the second set but wrong shot choice there. 0-15.

Superb rally that. Rafa gets to the net and volleys a winner. 15-15

A return into the net from Novak. 30-15.

Novak hits a great length ball and Rafa ends up netting. 30-30.

Novak dictates the next point and has a break point at 30-40.

An unreturnable serve from Rafa. Deuce.

Some great lengths on Novak's groundstrokes and he has another break point.

Novak hits a return long. Deuce.

Great winner down the line from Rafa. Set point.

Second set to Rafa and after 1 hour 40 minutes it is one set all. They have an hour and ten minutes left to play tonight so unless both sets are one-sided I cannot see this match finishing tonight.

On the other side of the coin though Novak's fitness has been an issue this year so perhaps a break may benefit him also.

Still on serve on the third set at 1-1 and one set all.

Djokovic seems to be falling apart slightly after his domince of the 1st set. Missing the shots he was putting away.

Nadal showing great fighting spirit.
Some great rallies in this game, wonderful tennis. Though the umpires made some stupid calls. 1-1 third set.

Luke wrote:Djokovic seems to be falling apart slightly after his domince of the 1st set. Missing the shots he was putting away.

Nadal showing great fighting spirit.
Some great rallies in this game, wonderful tennis. Though the umpires made some stupid calls. 1-1 third set.

Not so much falling apart but more that Rafa has upped his level a bit.

Dismissive game from Rafa. 2-2.

Solid hold from Novak and he leads 3-2 in the third set.

Chance here for Novak at 0-30 on Rafa's serve.

Novak unable to get his return in - 15-30.

A swinging out wide serve from Rafa - 30-30.

Novak nets a return. 40-30.

A down the line winner from Rafa and he holds 3-3 in the third set.

This so far is an interesting game, that could quite easily go to 5 sets. Another fantastic shot by Nadal saves his serve.

Novak holds to 30 and leads 4-3.

Great point that. Rafa with the overhead puts away a smash and from there on in he never looked like losing the game. 4-4

A double fault from Novak. 0-15.

Nadal retains his serve to take it 4- 4. There's been some absolutely precision shots. At the moment hard to pick a winner, though I think Nadal has the upper hand slightly.

Djokovic double faults.

But Novak powers his way through the game to win it with the loss of just that point. He leads 5-4. Rafa to serve to stay in the third set.

A good solid hold from Rafa and he levels it up at 5-5.

Nadal wins his serve 5-5.

They're not going to be another set after this you'd think.

Nadal smokes a winner down the line and leads 0-30 on Novak's serve. No they mat get in about 5 or 6 games in the 4th set but that will be it.

Novak hanging tough and it is back to 30-30.

An ace from Novak and Rafa follows that up with hitting a groundstroke long. Novak leads 6-5.

Djokovic fights his way back after a poor start to this game. To win the game and leads 6-5.

Awesome match so far. If Novak breaks here will they play a 4th?

A double fault from Rafa. 0-15

Great rally that ends with a Rafa volley. 30-15.

Commentators suggesting they may be pulled after this set.

Didn't know this.

But apparently to replicate these conditions. Unless both players agree, the game will start under the roof tomorrow.

The break off time is 11pm (this is a council rule), so I doubt they would even start a 4th set.

Tiebreak it is!

Rafa comes through a tricky service game and we go to a tie-break at 6-6.

Luke wrote:Didn't know this.

But apparently to replicate these conditions. Unless both players agree, the game will start under the roof tomorrow.

The break off time is 11pm (this is a council rule), so I doubt they would even start a 4th set.

No I cannot see them playing under the roof tomorrow unless it rains. The roof is only closed when absolutely necessary. They will play every minute they can without the roof as it is ostensibly an outdoor tournament.

Luke wrote:Didn't know this.

But apparently to replicate these conditions. Unless both players agree, the game will start under the roof tomorrow.

The break off time is 11pm (this is a council rule), so I doubt they would even start a 4th set.

Interesting if that’s true. It makes sense and I would think Novak will be keen to remain indoors.

Back on serve with Novak leading 3-2.

Listening to it on radio, and apparently they have to replicate the conditions of the start of the game.
Agree, you would think they both would want the roof open.

Tie break 2-2.

No I am well nigh certain that only time roof is closed is for rain or instances like this where lights are needed for late finish. Whenever possible though, those reasons aside, the roof is open as it is an outdoor tournament.

Novak with a mini-break. He leads 4-3.

Djokovic has the advantage in the tie break, 3-4.

Ludicrous drop shop by Rafa to get the mini-break back. 5-5.

Set point to rafa. Great point ending with another lovely drop shot.