Brasil Open: Rafa withdraws from doubles

Photo by Gaspar Nóbrega/Inovafoto

Per reports onsite, Rafa has pulled out of the doubles in order to focus more on singles. Personally, given the complaints about the quality of the courts and the fact that two players rolled their ankles on them today, I’m thinking the less time he spends on them the better! (Although, I am really sad I didn’t get to see at least one Rafandian match.)

13 Feb 2013 | by miri | 12 Comments

RafaLint: February 12th

Photo by Fernando Borges / Terra

(Well, I started on the 12th, so I’m calling this the 12th)

First, check out BreakPointBR on twitter. They are doing a great job covering the tournament.

Articles:

Report Card: Rafael Nadal’s return at VTR Open offers room for improvement – by Courtney Nguyen (si.com)
Rafael Nadal believes hard courts ‘too tough’ on players’ bodies, says ATP needs to do more for long-term health of players – AP via nydailynews.com (Pretty much the same article, but different picture)
Nadal: “Mi objetivo real,

13 Feb 2013 | by miri | 7 Comments

Brasil Open: R16 doubles photos

Photos from Rafa and Nalbandian’s first round match.

Photos by Gaspar Nóbrega/Inovafoto

12 Feb 2013 | by miri | 7 Comments

Brasil Open: Slipping through

Rafa and David Nalbandian played their first round match tonight against Andujar/Garcia-Lopez. They split the first two sets by the same score (6-3) and went to a super tiebreak. Andujar/GGL went up an early mini-break, leaving Rafandian battling uphill the rest of the way.

12 Feb 2013 | by miri | 12 Comments

Viña del Mar: Doubles final photos

Photos from the doubles final.

Photos by Agencia UNO and Cesar Pincheira/VTR Open

10 Feb 2013 | by miri | 4 Comments

Viña del Mar: Doubles afterthought

Rafa finished his day in Viña del Mar by playing in the doubles final with Pico. Sadly, it was a pretty quick match as they lost to Paolo Lorenzi and Poritio Starace 2-6, 4-6. And so it goes. On to Brazil!

10 Feb 2013 | by miri | 7 Comments

Viña del Mar: Rafico translated

Photo by UPI

Genny loved the video clip of Rafico’s presser after their first match win and wants to share a translation. Who am I to say no?

Here’s the video and the translation:

00:00 First of all, I’m happy for playing my first official match, even if it’s a doubles match, and in addition it’s with one of my best friends. That’s the main thing for me and it makes me very happy to play in a packed court again.

9 Feb 2013 | by miri | 7 Comments

Viña del Mar: Doubles semi full match video

Here’s the full match video of the doubles semi.

Posted by TennisOnlineHD.

9 Feb 2013 | by miri | 2 Comments

Brasil Open: The draws

I totally forgot the draw for the Brazil Open was today! Man, it’s going to take some time to get used to this non-stop draw/tennis thing. I’m sure none of us will mind, though. Rafa’s playing doubles and singles in Sao Paulo. For his partner, he picked his second Argentinian in as many tournaments: David Nalbandian. Here are links to the draws:
Singles
Doubles

9 Feb 2013 | by miri | 7 Comments

RafaLint: February 8th

Nadal’s Impact Evident In Vina Del Mar:

Toni’s cracking me up.

Articles:

Racquet Reaction: Nadal d. Gimeno-Traver – by Steve Tignor (tennis.com)
Nadal Beats Gimeno-Traver For SF Berth; Chardy Up Next – via atpworldtour.com
Rafael Nadal into semi-finals in Chile on his return from knee injury – AP via guardian.co.uk
Rafael Nadal wins in singles, doubles – AP via espn.com
Rafa’s bought a new house (mangle)
Nadal says he wants drug cheats caught – by Stephen Wade (AP via yahoo.com)

Videos/Audio:

Quick post 2nd round match interviews in English and Spanish.
Singles quarterfinals highlights
Nice

8 Feb 2013 | by miri | 6 Comments