IW: An okay day at the office
Photo by Jeff Gross/ Getty Images
In their first every singles meeting, Rafa and Marcel Granollers (#26) played in a 3rd round match of the BPN Paribas Open (Indian Wells) late in the afternoon today. Rafa wasn’t 100% sharp, but he didn’t need to be as Granollers was not having a good day. In fact, the match was pretty darn boring (sorry, guys!). Rafa is through 6-1, 6-4 and will face the winner of the Baghdatis/Dolgopolov.
Stats:
| Nadal | Granollers | |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics on Serve | ||
| Aces | 4 | 2 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 64% | 51% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 27/34 (79%) | 19/25 (76%) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 13/19 (68%) | 10/24 (42%) |
| Break Points Saved | 2/2 (100%) | 2/5 (40%) |
| Service Games Played | 9 | 8 |
| Statistics on Return | ||
| 1st Return Points Won | 6/25 (24%) | 7/34 (21%) |
| Second Return Points Won | 14/24 (58%) | 6/19 (32%) |
| Break Points Won | 3/5 (60%) | 0/2 (%) |
| Return Games Played | 8 | 9 |
| Statistics on Points | ||
| Total Service Points Won | 40/53 (75%) | 29/49 (59%) |
| Total Return Points Won | 20/49 (41%) | 13/53 (25%) |
| Total Points Won | 60/102 (59%) | 42/102 (41%) |
| Other Stats | ||
| Winners | 20 | 8 |
| Unforced errors | 19 | 25 |
| Net Approaches | 6/10 (60%) | 5/8 (63%) |
As it happened blatherings:
Marcel wins the toss and elects to receive.
Nice first serve down the middle draws an errant reply: 15-0. Double fault: 15-15. Second serve. Rafa works a point well, but his swinging volley pops out after encountering the net tape. Nice serve. Deep reply from Marcel and he moves into the net, but Rafa passes to hold.
Second serve. Forehand winner from Rafa: 0-15. Maybe it’s a good thing I’m not there photographing…can’t stop coughing. They’d boot me out of the pit. Rafa sends a slice into the net: 30-15. Rafa pulls Marcel a bit wide and draws an error: 30-30. Double fault: 30-40. Marcel sends a backhand into the net and is broken. Rafa up 2-0.
Forehand down the line winner: 15-0. Nice serve and Marcel sends his forehand reply into the net: 30-0. Beautiful cross-court forehand winner: 40-0. Rafa holds at love to consolidate the break: 3-0.
Marcel moves Rafa well and draws an error: 30-0. Rafa sends a backhand wide: 40-0. Rafa’s passing shot is out and Marcel holds at love for 1-3.
Marcel’s serve return is long: 30-0. Rafa holds for 4-1.
Rafa has to help the ball kid find the right place to stand with the umbrella to put him in shade.
A forehand winner gives Rafa a break point. Marcel nets a slice and goes down two breaks: 1-5.
Game and first set to Rafa – just took 29 minutes. 1 ace; 1 double; 70% first serves in; 85% won on first; 67% won on 2nd; 7 winners, 6 UFEs; 1/3 at net.
Nice forehand winner from Marcel, but he follows it up with one that goes out: 30-40. Two errors in a row from Marcel and he’s broken to start set 2.
(Um, sorry. This isn’t an exciting match, so I’m tagging photos rather than blathering.)
Loading ...
Solid playing in the 1st set. But, I think still too many unnecessary unforced errors in the second. Anyway, well done Rafa. Vamos !
Yep Koran, fantastic first set … Rafa let off the gas a little for the second and Marcel started to shine a little. Anyway good win … and onto a third match with Dolgo.
I only saw the highlights. Loved the point at 5-3 40-0. Can’t wait for the match with the Dog. Loved the way Rafa described him. “Crazy player” :D.
What happened in the second set Rafa? Please don’t let this happen against Dolgopolov because it might cost you.
Other than that, loved the first set which was boringly awesome ;-).
I think Rafa doesn’t like playing his friends and fellow Spanish players. The way Marcel was playing in the first set, Rafa could have easily humiliated him love and love and I think that was playing on his mind and caused him to not concentrate as much as he should. Too bad, as Rafa could have used a solid competitive match to get him fired up for the next few rounds.
So Rafa’s up twice tomorrow in both singles and doubles, both against good players/teams. Hope he makes it through them both ok.
My thoughts exactly..especially in the first set. He seemed to me almost uncomfortable about Marcel’s level. I know he always wants to win, but I think somtimes he might lighten up the pressure a bit if he is playing someone who is not a stiff competitor. Not to say that Marcel is not a good player, because he is, obviously.
I agree 100%, Rafa seemed to be distracted by Marcel.it seemed that he felt bad for his friend,esp. in the 2nd set. Hopefully he can stay intense and turn up the pressure of Dolgo…
Good luck in both matches Rafa, vamos!!!
Great minds think alike, I thought the same thing it was almost as though he gifted the one game to Marcel in the first set. Onwards and upwards Rafa.
I am displeased at the scheduling for today, back -to- back play…? Hmmmm…
Another stress free match. The most important thing is for Rafa to keep winning his singles so I won’t be too disappointed if they lose their dubs later, although I’m sure they will be. I love him playing dubs but always worry he’ll expend too much energy which will affect his singles later. Such a difficult situation to be in I’m sure.
I’ve been in total shock since I saw photos of Rafa and his vile outfit at the players’ party. Only just started to recover, so happyforthewin even if I wasn’t able to watch any of it.
I bet Rafa’s hair really did it for you CC……not!!! ;)