Flashback: Nadal v Murray 2011 MC

This was a frustrating match to watch from the sidelines and not be able to cheer!

Nadal vs Murray Monte Carlo 2011 SF:

Posted by TennisVadim46.

9 Apr 2012 | by miri | 2 Comments

Flashback: Monte-Carlo 2011 final

Getting ready for this year’s Monte-Carlo? What better way than looking back at last year’s final.

Posted by TennisVadim46.

8 Apr 2012 | by miri | 4 Comments

Nana at MC

Being a Rafa fan means that I’m always thinking and dreaming about going to Rafa tournaments. Luckily tennis is such a global sport that each tournament is a destination with its own unique character, offering different experiences. I have been to four tournaments and so far each has been an adventure in its own right. From working out the travel and transportation arrangements to navigating through the tournament, going to the tennis in another country is so

22 Apr 2011 | by Nana | 23 Comments

RafaLint: MC Wrap-up

Ooodles of MC stuff. Some quite old, but I wasn’t awake enough to post while I was gone. :)

Videos:

Rafa’s first MC

Watching Fed

Rafa visits the Prince of Monaco

Arriving for the final

Pre-final warm-up

Highlights from the final

Interview after the final

Articles:

Slower balls do not stop Nadal of winning in Montecarlo
And a very nice article from Tignor.

rafandready’s photos

Final photos and more
Semifinal photos

Quarterfinal photos and more

Round of 16 photos

Pressers:

Post final presser

19 Apr 2011 | by miri | 9 Comments

MC: 7th Heaven

Rafa played fellow Spaniard and friend David Ferrer for the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 title today. It wasn’t the prettiest match in the world, but who the hell cares. Rafa won (6-4, 7-5) his 7th straight Monte-Carlo title – that’s insane! So insane that no one’s ever done it before. The victory also gives him his 200th Masters level win, his 19th Masters title.

(And sorry for the rather cliche title. I’m tired…it’s late…I have to pack and get ready to go to the airport in just 6 hours.)

17 Apr 2011 | by miri | 86 Comments

MC: Into the final we go

Rafa played #4 Andy Murray in the last Monte-Carlo semifinal. The match started a bit late because Andy had received treatment on a sore shoulder and wanted a few extra minutes to try it out to see if it was okay. (For once, it wasn’t Rafa who was running late!) He decided it would do and off they went. They split the first two sets with the first one feeling particularly tight. Andy started to dominate in the second by playing smart, aggressive tennis while Rafa starting playing short. In the third, his shoulder started bothering him again and Rafa pounced on the opportunity. Rafa’s through (6-4, 2-6, 6-1) to the final where he will take on David Ferrer.

16 Apr 2011 | by miri | 57 Comments

MC: Another one bites the dust

And boy was it dusty! The windy was blowing clay, napkins and almost my hat all over the court today. Horrible conditions to play in and, I thought, Rafa started out a wee bit nervous. He was on my end of the court during his first service game and on the first error he made, he let out a big sigh and looked to his camp. He got going though, found his confidence and found his shots. He beat Ljubicic 6-1, 6-3 and will play Murray in the semi-final tomorrow.

15 Apr 2011 | by miri | 33 Comments

MC: French massacre part one

Rafa started off a sad day for fans of the French players by taking out Richard Gasquet in straight sets (Monfils and Simon fell later). It was a good contest with Rafa being pushed more than his first match – something that will probably be good for him moving forward. He’s through: 6-2, 6-4.

14 Apr 2011 | by miri | 34 Comments

MC: One down…

Rafa played his first 2011 match on clay today against Jarkko Nieminen. It was pretty much a no-contest affair as a relaxed looking Rafa won 6-2, 6-2.

13 Apr 2011 | by miri | 17 Comments

Monte-Carlo invasion: Day Three

We got up and headed to the site pretty early since Rafa posted he was going to practice at 11 and had a 10:30 press conference. That made no sense. First, we figured he’d be late to the presser and that would mean there was no way he would make it to practice at that time. But, I wanted to see the presser, so off we went. The ladies went to stake out the alleged practice court

12 Apr 2011 | by miri | 33 Comments