[amongsttheleaves]

Somewhere in the midst of the world number one's second round match on Roland Garros' second stadium court Suzanne Lenglen, Andy's Adventures with Spidercam took a bizarre turn. Yet again the camera moved into his sight line as he threw up the ball to serve. Yet again he complained. Only this time he threatened to sit down on court if it wasn't finally moved well out of the way. It was perhaps a dual reflection of the gritty stubborness he has shown in two scrappy matches so far in Paris, and the frustrations and occasional weirdness of his 2017 tennis season.

Andy's third round opponent, the man affectionately known as Delpo, reached the third round after Nicolas Almagro retired when his recurring knee injury caused him to collapse on the ground. As he lay distraught on the ground Delpo climbed over the net and walked to the other end of the court to comfort his opponent. If there is anyone in all of tennis who understands the frustrations of injury it is the Argentinian.

When the draw was done a week ago many seized upon this potential third round match. In 2016 these two men produced two of the best battles on hard courts - on both occasions they were representing their countries, with Andy winning the Olympic final and Delpo their match at the GB vs Argentina Davis Cup semi-final tie a month or so later, on the day of Andy's paternal grandfather's funeral took place.

Both men have had difficult seasons so far. Delpo delayed the start to his season by six weeks after winning the Davis Cup against Croatia at the end of November last year, and midway through the clay season his grandfather passed away. While Andy arguably over stretched himself during the off-season following a packed but stellar end to his season, and over-played at the start of the year, since then he's struggled with illness and injury. Andy is said to be 'over' his injury and illness problems and appears to be playing himself into some form - though the consistency is some way off - while Delpo has suffered with minor problems with his back, shoulder and groin in recent weeks.

The damage Delpo can do with his forehand is well documented. His backhand is ever vulnerable, and he appears to be slicing it more than he was in 2016, where he appeared to be increasing his use of the two handed topspin backhand. Andy will no doubt look to exploit the weaknesses in this part of Delpo's game, while he will likely look to attack Andy's serve and the movement he is so vocally dissatisfied with. If Delpo can do that it will mean he can try and break down Andy's famed defence - the defence which has got him out of some sticky situations in his first and second round matches. Such a headline match of the tournament will be played on court Philippe Chatrier, a huge space which plays much slower than the other show courts.

The match will be played on Saturday 3rd June, second on court Philippe Chatrier, at an estimated start time of 1pm local time, 12 noon BST, and 6am CDT. The weather is currentlu forecast for rain from mid-morning. Temperatures of nineteen degrees Celsius, humidity of 70% and a north westerly wind of 5-10mph.

Andy leads the head-to-head 6-3. They are 1-1 on clay, with Andy's win coming by retirement in a match in which a much younger Delpo may have insulted Andy's mother; though he denied it and said he was commenting on Andy's 'manner'!

Thanks as always to Bev for the head-to-head image.

[matchpoint]

Really hoping Andy can win this match. Sending only positive vibes.

[deb]

Thank you atl and Bevc , Andy in 3 for me , I'm feeling positive 

[Fiverings]

Perhaps sticking my neck out but I think this could be an easier match than the last two.  Not convinced Delpo is really fit enough to take Andy on though no doubt he will make some sort of effort to rise to the occasion. Andy in three fairly tough sets unless Delpo retires.

[Aileen]

Perhaps sticking my neck out but I think this could be an easier match than the last two.  Not convinced Delpo is really fit enough to take Andy on though no doubt he will make some sort of effort to rise to the occasion. Andy in three fairly tough sets unless retires.

You could be right Fiverings, and I think one key issue for Delpo could be his groin strain.  If he was struggling against Almagro to the extent of considering retiring, then that, plus the cumulative effect of his other injury issues, what's he going to be like here, particularly if it goes beyond three, which I think it will do given Andy's own current form?  The weather too could play its part, and AccuWeather is usually reliable, so I reckon we'll either get a delayed start or, what nobody wants, a rain-interrupted match, or maybe even both!

PS - I understand that Andy practised with Kyle yesterday, no doubt because of Kyle's own rather ferocious forehand.

[moonglow]

Yes you can do this - good luck Andy

[janscribe]

All I can do is to wish you all the best of luck and hope Andy wins and that you don't all have nervous breakdowns while he does it. I will be diving in here for the odd minute or two to check your comments as we will no doubt be exploring Northumberland's beautiful coast line. My husband loves tennis but not on a beautiful sunny day while we are away! Good Luck! In any other circumstance I would be routing for del Pot, bless him.

[amongsttheleaves]

Some RG stats from Andy's first two matches, from Craig O'Shannessy:

Net Points Won = 76% (39/51)
Baseline Points Won = 51% (147/287)
Only made 53% 1st serves.
Winners: 23 FH / 20 BH

Other things to note:

In return stats Andy isn't in the top 20 of return points won on first serve so far this tournament, and sits at 15 on the second serve return points won. Which is much lower than would be expected for Andy.

He's doing better on break point conversion though - 15/24 that's 63% of break points converted over his first two matches.

Observations: Andy is doing better when he shortens the points, but still not as strong coming to the net as he was in 2015. Feels to me like this year he's been coming forward when he has too - drop shot, short ball etc - rather than carving out more opportunities there. Not to say he hasn't done that at all, just feels like he isn't 'using' the net.

Significant [?] drop in 'baseline aggression'. No doubt this is partly down to some erratic and at times downright awful court positioning.

Best of five is a big help to Andy right now.