RafaLint: April 29th

Photo by Beth Wilson

Articles:

Key Points Analysis: Rafael Nadal and Nicolás Almagro in the Barcelona Final – by Juan José (changeovertennis.com)
Report Card: French champs Sharapova, Nadal, Schiavone conquer clay again – by Courtney Nguyen (si.com)
Photo of the Day: Nadal with his Barcelona “crown” – by Jonathan Scott (tennis.com)
The Persistents, Parts 4 and 3 – by Steve Tignor (tennis.com)
Heroes and Zeros: Claypova, Rosol’s Ride, Rafa Roars Again – by Chris Oddo (tennisnow.com)
Toni Nadal: “Sería bueno ver a Novak Djokovic en el

29 Apr 2013 | by miri | 5 Comments

RafaLint: April 28th

Photo by AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

Articles:

Nadal Wins Eighth Barcelona Crown – via atpworldtour.com
Nadal beats Almagro to claim 8th Barcelona Open title – via usatoday.com (This is the same AP story that most sites seem to have based their stories on
ATP Barcelona Open: Rafael Nadal claims his eighth crown in Catalunya – via SkySports
Nadal Clinches Record Eighth Barcelona Crown – via barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com

Videos/Audio:

Last game of the final
On-court post-match interview (in Spanish)
And one in English
Trophy presentation
Hot Shot of the

28 Apr 2013 | by miri | 7 Comments

Barcelona: Final photos

Photos from today’s victory and trophy bite.

Photos by David Ramos/Getty Images and AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

28 Apr 2013 | by miri | 10 Comments

Barcelona: Final video

Here’s full match video of Rafa winning his 8th Barcelona title.

Posted by TennisOnlineHD.

28 Apr 2013 | by miri | No Comment

Barcelona: Neither rain, nor cold, nor Nico…

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

…could keep Rafa from winning his 8th Barcelona title.

Rafa played fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the Barcelona final today. I missed the first three games, but based on twitter, Almagro came out firing winners and was soon up a double break. When I got home, they appeared to be sitting out a bit of rain. Did this slight delay give Almagro too much time to think about that 3-0 lead? Or was Rafa just waiting until I got home

28 Apr 2013 | by miri | 65 Comments

RafaLint: April 27th

Photo by Beth Wilson

Was all curled up in bed when I realized I hadn’t pressed publish on this. Oops.

Articles:

Nadal, Almagro Storm Into Barcelona Final – via atpworldtour.com
Rafael Nadal eases into the Barcelona Open final – via bbc.co.uk

Rafael Nadal downs Canadian Milos Raonic to advance at Barcelona Open – via montrealgazette.com
Rafa Nadal Equals Tennis Legend Bjorn Borg with 608 Career Wins – via barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com
Toni Nadal supports raising Rafa’s seeding at Roland Garros – by Matt Cronin (tennis.com) Source: Toni Nadal

27 Apr 2013 | by miri | 3 Comments

Barcelona: Semifinal photos

Photos from Rafa’s win over Raonic.

Photos by AP Photo/Manu Fernandez and David Ramos/Getty Images Europe

27 Apr 2013 | by miri | No Comment

Barcelona: Semifinal video

Here’s the full semifinal match:

Posted by TennisOnlineHD.

27 Apr 2013 | by miri | No Comment

Barcelona: Into the final

Photo by AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

In a rain delayed semifinal, Rafa played #13 Milos Raonic today in Barcelona. I missed the start of the match, but it seems like Rafa started a bit slow as Raonic broke him right away and went up 2-0. Raonic probably wishes he could have frozen the match in time at that point, because it was downhill for him on the scoreboard from then on out. By the time I was able to watch, Rafa was moving him around the court and passing him at will. Not that Raonic was playing poorly, it’s just that Rafa was being Rafa on clay. Rafa’s through to the final 6-4, where he will play Nicolas Almagro. With this win, Rafa ties Borg for number of career match wins – they both have 608.

27 Apr 2013 | by miri | 46 Comments

RafaLint: April 26th

Photo by AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

Sadly, it looks like I’ll be missing Rafa’s match tomorrow because I’ll be doing a fundraising walk for Arthritis research and awareness. I’ll check scores while walking, but please say a few Vamoses for me.

Articles:

ATP World Tour – Nadal, Raonic Pull Double Duty; Almagro To Face Kohlschreiber – via atpworldtour.com
Rafael Nadal advances to semis – AP via espn.com
Rafael Nadal wins two matches in a day to reach Barcelona semis – via bbc.co.uk
Nadal breezes through in

26 Apr 2013 | by miri | 4 Comments