Loki

I doubt County could even field a five a side team

It was all too easy in the end apart from a wobble on match point where a fan screamed and put him off a put away. Absolute brilliance from Carlos, just never made it easy for Novak, and Novak just didn’t have the speed or movement to stop the onslaught. Too soon after surgery to expect to beat Alcaraz, but fair fucks to Novak he is clearly still one of the best. If he never had to have the surgery it may have been different. He should be better physically by the US Open.

Hamilton's indecision creates the easy space and time for the attacker to score that goal. If he backs up, the space in behind him disappears, if he continues to advance he takes the time away from the attacker. It may well have ended up a goal regardless, but Hamilton's indecision contributes to that goal. It is an exceptional finish though. Lamie primarily at fault for it.

I thought we were pretty poor, didn’t really get going at all. Brown’s deliveries from right back won us that game. Jordan White was good. Brophy wasn’t really in the game but took his goal very well. Lamie and Hamilton can blame each other for the Stranraer goal, but it was brilliantly taken. Laidlaw doesn’t concede there though as he wouldn’t have left his line so early. With goal difference going to matter to get seeded, you’d have thought we would have shown more urgency. On that performance Raith beat us next week. But it’s the first showing of the season and it’s all about getting the job done, which they did. Edited to add: Stranraer were great, pressed well, kept their shape and showed more urgency than us.

Nice dinked finish from Jordan White.

Not that I would ever say that draws are rigged in tennis but….. Nadal Vs Borg in 1st Round of Bastad.

I think it’s just the youthful exuberance and the want to entertain. It’s in his nature, he will go for a winner if he thinks he can make it. But he showed his maturity yesterday, Medvedev has some basic flaws in his game. Due to the massive swipes he needs to take with his forehand and backhand, you can make him mistime his ball. It then makes it very difficult for him to hit down the line. Alcaraz was continually waiting for the cross court ball to make him move, and then he would get easy winners. Alcaraz will beat Djokovic on Sunday, as great a tennis player as Novak is technically and mentally, I just don’t think he has the physicality to go toe to toe with Alcaraz. I am not sure if you guys are aware but the BBC only have limited coverage of the Olympics so if you want to watch all the Olympic tennis you will need a Discovery+ subscription. If you have Sky already you can get it for free, but if not it is 6.99 for the month.

No draws. That’s what I love about the League Cup groups straight to penalties.

All Ross County’s group matches will be available to stream on the Premier Sports player for anyone that can’t get to the games.

The difference with the US Open swing, his ranking is so low now that he’d need a wild card for every single event he wants to enter. The US Open has reciprocal agreements with the French Open and Australian Open that they will get a wild card each. That leaves six, I am sure they would give him one if he requests it. But if he’s not going to play any tennis on hard court before it, he’s a walking bye.

Was it just me, or did Priest lose the count and not kick out before the Drew shenanigans?

I rescind that, as doubles match first on was completed by 3pm with the rain delays. Still might not have helped but wasn't as bad as i made out.

It pished rain all day anyway so even if they had they still wouldn't have been playing until 5pm ish anyway.

That's completely wrong as Serena has pulled doubles with her sister on occasion to ensure she has recovered effectively for singles competition. I think Murray is the only person I can think of that pulled singles to play doubles when he elected to skip the Olympic singles to concentrate on doubles. Wrist injuries have killed so many promising careers, so she has to look after herself. Del Potro and Thiem never recovered, and rushed into comebacks. Murray will have his swan song at the Olympics, he is in the singles and doubles there.

Considering the issues with Emma’s wrists, she’s wise to rest it. It brings an end to Andy’s Wimbledon career, but he more than most will understand playing with a slight injury isn’t good for your long term health. Andy would make the exact same decision if the roles were reversed.