2021 Roland Garros...ATP 2000...Paris, France

[stotty]

Roger sneaks the third. Still a long way to go. The good news is Roger is starting to read Koepfer like a book.

Bedtime for Stotty. I have a feeling when I wake up Roger will be the winner...albeit with a depleted energy tank.

[stroke]

It has been a bit for me. I had almost forgotten how bad a tennis commentator Mary Carillo is.

[stotty]

It's a tiebreak. The sheer pace of Koepfer's hitting has been causing real problems for Roger.

[stotty]

6-5 Roger in the third. Getting close to Stotty's bedtime. I'll sleep much easier if Roger takes a 2 sets to 1 lead.

[stroke]

Nobody enjoys a mauling as much as Nadal.

[stotty]

There are just so many very good players like Koepfer out there. All the more amazing that Nadal has done what he has done here since 2005. Novak did look great today. I still think Nadal has a better chance of going down to Sinner at this point than Novak. I just am not confident that Novak can lockdown vs Nadal on Clay again like he did years ago.

For me, it was less about locking down back then and more about out manoeuvring. Hooking forehands and serves out wide and getting Rafa to stab his sliced backhand whereupon Novak seized control of rallies...fascinating. Rafa's backhand is so much better nowadays and he's onto Novak's tactics like a shot. Last year's final was a masterclass in mauling all Novak's previous ploys and tactics. Not sure where Novak can go if they meet again. No doubt Marián Vajda will have something up his sleeve. Best coach on the tour in my book.

[stroke]

There are just so many very good players like Koepfer out there. All the more amazing that Nadal has done what he has done here since 2005. Novak did look great today. I still think Nadal has a better chance of going down to Sinner at this point than Novak. I just am not confident that Novak can lockdown vs Nadal on Clay again like he did years ago.

[stotty]

Both Rafa and Novak looked immaculate today. Rafa was brutal and Novak made it look ridiculously easy with that ridiculously smooth timing of his. I wish I could borrow that timing for 30 minutes just to know what it feels like.

Roger a break down...not good...and like I said, Roger looks worried...which worries me.

[stotty]

I am making no mistake. This is a huge physical test for Roger vs a very strong physical player that is in the moment and believes.

I don't like the look of this one little bit. Roger is off and Koepfer is on. This could ruin our desired meeting between Berrettini and Roger.

[stroke]

1 set all. Make no mistake this is going to be physically taxing for Roger to win this from here. The German ain't for buckling and is going nowhere. Roger's usual, so reliable feel isn't quite there today.

I am making no mistake. This is a huge physical test for Roger vs a very strong physical player that is in the moment and believes.

[stotty]

1 set all. Make no mistake this is going to be physically taxing for Roger to win this from here. The German ain't for buckling and is going nowhere. Roger's usual, so reliable feel isn't quite there today.

[stotty]

6-6...tiebreak. Really need Roger to win this.

[stotty]

Roger 5-6 down in the second. No shortcut rallies are on offer for Roger. Koepfer is going nowhere. What worries me most is Roger looks worried.

[stotty]

It's good Roger won that first set because Koepfer has nothing else to do for the evening it seems other than to belt balls a thousand miles an hour. He's a bit of a machine. I feel I can't relax here until Roger goes two sets up.

[stroke]

Koepfer has a great game and is playing well. The meastro had to show his greatness to win that 1st set. As you say, still a long way to go.

I read somewhere that Fed came out and said there is no way he can get past Novak here. I am not at all certain he believes that.