IW: Helloeverybodyhardcourtfinalguys
Photo by REUTERS/Danny Moloshok
In the day’s first semifinal, Rafa took on #6 Tomas Berdych. Until the 6th game, no one was making solid headway into the other’s serve game. A few loose points from Berdych and Rafa had triple break point. Rafa played a bit tentatively and was soon down to one break point. Berdych then sent a forehand into the doubles alley giving Rafa the break and a 4-3 lead. Serving for the set at 5-4, Rafa was down 15-30 and got called for a time violation. He followed that up with a killer backhand winner and went on to serve out the set with a look of determination and a fist pump.
Both started the second set holding well, but Berdych kept making more and more headway into Rafa’s service games. In the 8th game, Rafa double faulted to give away a break. He came back and played a super aggressive game to break back and keep Berdych from serving for the set. The 10th game was a tight one. Rafa had chances, but kept hitting short balls. Finally, Berych miss-hit an overhead – giving Rafa the break and a chance to serve for the match. That game started out nervy and cautious for Rafa. He got himself into a hole that he had to serve himself out of…a few times. A shanky game finally ended with Rafa holding. He’s through to the final 6-4, 7-5.
Stats:
| Nadal | Berdych | |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics on Serve | ||
| Aces | 2 | 4 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 4 |
| 1st Serve % | 69% | 53% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 35/50 (70%) | 25/36 (69%) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 12/22 (55%) | 15/31 (48%) |
| Break Points Saved | 3/4 (75%) | 4/7 (57%) |
| Service Games Played | 11 | 11 |
| Statistics on Return | ||
| 1st Return Points Won | 11/36 (31%) | 15/50 (30%) |
| Second Return Points Won | 16/31 (52%) | 10/22 (45%) |
| Break Points Won | 3/7 (43%) | 1/4 (25%) |
| Return Games Played | 11 | 11 |
| Statistics on Points | ||
| Total Service Points Won | 47/72 (65%) | 40/67 (60%) |
| Total Return Points Won | 27/67 (40%) | 25/72 (35%) |
| Total Points Won | 74/139 (53%) | 65/139 (47%) |
| Other Stats | ||
| Winners | 16 | 16 |
| Unforced errors | 24 | 35 |
| Net Approaches | 6/7 (86%) | 4/9 (44%) |
(I think those net stats are right – I don’t understand how tennistv.com is presenting them. I’ve included a screen grab of their info below. It doesn’t really match what’s on the ATP site.)
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Thanks Miri once again for quick updates. Vamos !
Wow Miri, you are so quick. Thank you.
That was an interesting match. 4 finals in a row, Wow Rafa.
Rafa’s forehand, backhand and movement are incredible right now after those 8 months off. The forehand down the line is the money shot but his backhand is so sharp right now.
It’s almost like he never left.
I am looking forward to the final.
So happy he won! Cannot believe he’s made it to the final. Absolutely amazing! Vamos Rafa!
WOW!
VAMOS!! Finals Baby Finals!
Brilliant Rafa! He’s back, better than anyone could have imagined by this time. Vamos!!! Can’t wait to see the final. Even if he loses tomorrow, it’s a triumph to have come so far!
4 tournaments, 4 Finals in a row. And they dared to write him off? Wow, so happy right now. Rafa will be so pleased to have reached the Final, he’s defended his points and gained a few more. Fantastic result.
So happy for rafa..Just hope that Joker loses today.. How much confidence this title might give to Rafa.. and if that has to happen , Del potro has to win today
I see your point, i think everyone is leary of Nole on hard courts.
But he isn’t going away anytime soon, and you know, i think Rafa is kind of playing with house money from a mental standpoint right now.
I think i’d really rather play Nole and just see what happens. I think its a win-win no matter the result, unless he just blows Rafa off the court, which i think he has about a zero percent chance of doing.
And the clay is just around the corner! And he’s healthy. And he’s rejuvenated mentally.
Agree, agree, agree. Nole in the final tomorrow please!
@Joel,
I so agree with you. He has to face Djoko soon, here at IW or on a clay court in a couple weeks so why not face him now and see what happens.
Some Rafa fans are getting worried about him facing Djoko so early but we have no idea what will happen.
I doubt Djoko will blow Rafa off the court, I think it will be a great match and I will be excited if he does play Djoko in the final tomorrow.
If he wins great. If he loses good, he has come so far in such a short space of time.
rahul. your prediction just happened. The Joker lost in 3 tight sets!!!hahahaha..Be careful on what you wish for…. this time your wish was granted!!!! Very GOOOOOOOOD!!!
krebs2012 I cannot be more happy to see Delpo win. Atleast now we can fancy Rafa winning the title. It would be so bad to see him lose to Joker in another final.
I wish I had wished just a healthy body to compete in all major tourneys.. and we know rest will follow..
Vamos Rafa…go grab a trophy before clay.. and just hope he doesnt play anything before Monte Carlo and not everything during clay.. dont want his tank to be empty on grass..
Last game 8 minutes long, wow, he made it, boy did I enjoy that match. Vamos Rafa, what a champ.
Wow!
Vamos, Rafa!
There is nobody like him, not in any sport, not at any level, never in the history of sports.
I can’t believe he has done this well after a seven month layoff.
Wait, yeah i can, we’re talking about Rafa.
Love you, boy!
Agreed!
Inpressive Rafa, just impressive. Vamos!
So cute that he took so much time to sign autographs after the match, that the security men almost had to push him out of the stadium, before Delpo and Djokovic were about to enter.
One happy boy that left the court after job so well done:-)
Fabulous heading, Miri!!!! Rafa, you continue to amaze. Love you!!
Awesome run in IW, Rafa! I’m so happy for you and for me as a fan, too. Good luckn into the final tomorrow. Will sure be a nail-biter, sofa-hiding, nervous wreck TV watching for me but I will enjoy every minute of it.
Miri the title of this story made me burst out laughing – so funny and so accurate. I am just amazed and delighted that Rafa has made it to the finals. I’ve noticed that the commentators have stopped talking about his knees and now are focussing on his game, how amazing Nadal is and how HE IS BACK!! LOVE IT!! I can’t wait until the final tomorrow, but even if Nadal doesn’t win, it’s a victory for him – so proud of him! And so happy to have him back on the circuit!!
Del Potro it is and a very weary one at that. He has played great against Andy and Novak but not sure how much he has left in the tank. Rafa’s chances for another title is looking good I feel. Whatever the outcome to reach 4 finals winning 2 after a long absence is amazing. Rafa must be estatic right now.
I’m glad and not worried he isn’t playing Novak. Plenty of time for that.
Agreed that Delpo has played a lot more than Rafa this week, but I wouldn’t underestimate the recovery work, which seems to be the “in” thing in tennis ( for example, Djoker won’t say what he does for recovery – gives you an idea how important it is). Of course, Rafa played golf after his press conference. How’s that for recovery. But then I’d also be happy to recover at one of Larry Ellison’s guest houses…
If Rafa’s movement is as good tomorrow as it was today, he’s got a very good shot. He’s rested and motivated!
dkoker don’t tell you anything, What he eats ,how he recovers ,his fitness regime is all a secret and quite rightly so but who really cares, i don’t.
It’s not just recovering physically its mentally to. We will see what Delpo has left. Congrats to him for making the final.
I am totally amazed and a bit shocked by the progress he’s made in a month, especially considering that he started off with small tournaments and he himself isn’t sure at all .I thought it would take him atleast a month more to get into “some rhythm ” against the top 10 , and hoping he would be doing good before the French . but looks to me like he’s already ready for the French. you are an inspiration .
just wondering . I was reading that hez complaining of some knee pain though its very much ok. is knee pain not a problem or is pain just pain and nothing serious ? please answer.
In this post match interview Rafa talks about his knees. he has a slight bit of pain but the on court adrenaline is helping to ease or numb that pain
Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsrd2tGe07I
Thanks micamica! He is so enjoying being back. I think he plays better when he feels like the underdog and has nothing to lose. it would be wonderful if he could win today!
congrats, Rafans!
Nadal vs. Del Potro preview and picks – http://tenngrand.com/2013/03/17/indian-wells-final-preview-and-picks-nadal-vs-del-potro/
Haha thanks Ricky … I like your prediction.
I just hope for a good final … a win would be just crazy really. :) happy for Po too.
Amazing run in his first hardcourt tournament after 7 months of layoff!!!! What an accomplishment!!! Go for the BIG TITLE tomorrow…. Bite another trophy… THE BEST OF LUCK RAFA!!!!God Bless Always…
Great win. Amazing recovery. Great also to see Rafa so happy. His happiness is ours too!! Vamos! bite that trophy tomorrow Rafa we will be biting it along with you.
at last, rafa in hard court final after more than a year or so after overpowering greats like roger with his weak knees.poor tomas, who was dominant in his earlier games became nervous in seeing rafa with his new strategies & unusual aggression, a deviation from the past.rafa played well in the first set though in the second not so like in first.may be tired or feeling pain in knees?. one word of caution to rafa while playing against delpo.delpo having played an exhibition match a few days back in us, knows what are the arsenals in the rejuvinated rafa.rafa has to work very hard against this young man who has set his eyes in the 3 slots in top seedings.sorry to note djokovic failed to come to final in which case rafa would ve got a chance to study him deeply his strategies as djoko has set his eyes in french open & to dethrow rafa in clay court to prove a point that he is a champion of all terrains.best wishes for rafa in iw final.
Definitely worth the wait. Our long international nightmare is over. Our Rafa is back. Without a doubt.
Miri,what a wonderfull word for title !!!
I would love Rafa to win . Then I would no longer have to listen to the pundits saying “Rafa hasn’t won a title on hard court since 2010″ it would shut them up wouldn’t it? To me it’s irrelevant. A win is a win, a title is a title no matter the surface or your ranking number. Seeds number 5 and 7 contest the final, 1,2,3 and 4 are all out. I can’t believe I’m saying that lol.
Delpo has had a great week and i wish him well but i really fancy Rafa’s chances.
Has anyone noticed Ellson’s joyous reactions when Rafa wins a point, game or match? I know he is a big tennis fan but I think he is a massive Rafa fan too, like so many of us.
Good luck Rafa , go get ATP Masters 1000 title No 22 and be the leader in that category once again.
Ellison is very much Rafa’s fan and not afraid to show it
One of the commies mentioned that Rafa is staying at Ellison’s guest house this year and last year he stayed at his house.
Not sure if that is true.
True; he’s in fact such an obvious fan of Rafa that the fans of other players (notably Nole’s) on other tennis websites are getting a tad paranoid about the treatment their guy is getting in the tournament, especially in terms of scheduling.
Regardless, love it when someone treats Rafa with the appreciation and respect he deserves, and Ellison certainly does that. No wonder Rafa loves this tournament!
All the best to Rafa today; would be simply AWESOME if he wins, but he’s certainly a winner anyway reaching the final of a tournament he had doubts whether he’d be able to compete in at all.
Thank you, Rafa, for showing us the joy of tennis in you again. I think that win or lose, he’s happier on court now than before his 7month break. If he’s healthier too, all is good in the world.
So proud of our Rafa – I have yet to see the match but am encouraged by all the positive posts.
Rafa looking happy and healthy on a tennis court is what is important for me. Whether he wins or loses today he has done so much more than we could have hoped for. Hope he stays healthy and continues to improve.
Vamos our Rafa & good luck against Delpo. From what I have seen of Delpo he is playing very well and his movement looks good. Hope it is a great match.
So pleased for Rafa’s win. He looks like he’s fallen in love with tennis allover again. Thankfully. His movement is great. For him to have reached this level again in such a short time, he’s playing as he says,” Crazy tennis.”
Really enjoyed Delpo/Djoko match. I thought Djoko had the match and had decided to go to bed, until i saw Delpo start his come back. Amazing. Really pleased he won. He’s moving well too.
Starting to get a little nervous for tonight, but whatever happens,Rafa has nothing to prove, he’s gone farther than he thought he ever would, so no pressure. God bless him n VAMOS RAFA.