RafaLint: September 11th

Before tomorrow’s final, I just want to remind people, this is a pro-Rafa site; it’s not an anti any-other-player site. No matter the outcome tomorrow, no matter how either player conducts himself on the court, this is not the place for hate and passing judgements on the perceived character of others.

Vamos responsibly, my friends.

Recommended Reading:

Wise Kid by Steve Tignor (tennis.com)
For the Poet Laureate, the Joy of Tennis Is in the Effort by Geoff MacDonald (NY

11 Sep 2011 | by miri | 27 Comments

USO: Semifinal presser transcript

The presser transcript from the post-semifinal presser is up on the US Open site. They’ve also put the video on YouTube in case you have problems with viewing their site.

Q. How does it feel to be going back to the final?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, for sure is emotional day for me, you know, winning against one of the best players of the world and being in another final of the US Open. So is very, very special, especially because it’s a final Grand Slam. That’s the first thing. Second thing, I had

11 Sep 2011 | by miri | 16 Comments

USO: Semifinal photos

Photos from today’s match against Murray.

Photos by Chris Trotman/Getty Images, EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images, Patrick McDermott/Getty Images, Nick Laham/Getty Image, Jared Wickerham/Getty Images for USTA, HENNY RAY ABRAMS/AFP/Getty Images, AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, and Al Bello/Getty Images

11 Sep 2011 | by miri | 9 Comments

USO: Semifinal videos

Match summary from the US Open site.

Highlights, sets 1 and 2 by PartidoaPartido:

More will eventually be posted here.

Post-match on-court interview in English:

(via CBS). If that doesn’t work for you or is region blocked, try this lower quality version.

Presser video from the US Open site (I’m guessing transcript won’t be up until tomorrow).

10 Sep 2011 | by miri | 10 Comments

USO: Two days, Two Andys

As fans were still in recovery mode after the tension-filled first men’s semi-final, Rafa took the court to play #4 Andy Murray to attempt to earn a place in the final. Both showed they were ready to run for everything right from the first few points and fans settled in for what could be a very long match. I don’t know if it’s because the first semi was so tense or because Andy’s energy seemed low, but the start

10 Sep 2011 | by miri | 87 Comments

USO: Quarterfinal presser transcript

The transcript of the presser is up on the US Open site. Video via their YouTube channel:

Q. For the second slam this year, the top four players in the world will play in the semifinals and into the finals. What does it say about that group of four, and how tough it is to break into that between the four of you guys?

RAFAEL NADAL: Seems like top four players are doing well. That’s the thing. Top four are very solid today. The previous years, too, my opinion. For last few years

10 Sep 2011 | by miri | 2 Comments

RafaLint: September 9th (late night edition)

Articles:

Once again, Nadal looks like the man to beat at Flushing Meadows by Richard Deitsch (SI.com)
Raquet Reaction by Richard Pagliaro (tennis.com)
Nadal pummels Roddick in straight sets by Neil Edward Schlecht (usopen.org)
Nadal beats Roddick, sets up US Open SF vs Murray by Howard Fendrich (AP)
Nadal Defeats Roddick by John Martin (NY Times)
Nadal foils Roddick’s final four hopes by Greg Garber (espn.com)
The Toughest Truth by Pete Bodo (tennis.com). I actually liked

9 Sep 2011 | by miri | 4 Comments

USO: Quarterfinal photos

Photos from today’s quarterfinal match against Roddick.

Photos by REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson, Al Bello/Getty Images, STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images, Nick Laham/Getty Images, REUTERS/Mike Segar, EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images, Chris Trotman/Getty Images, Al Bello/Getty Images, TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images, REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz, and Jared Wickerham/Getty Images for USTA

9 Sep 2011 | by miri | 5 Comments

USO: Quarterfinal videos

Match highlights from the US Open.

Cute little promo that aired during the first quarterfinal:

CBS is run by a bunch of fangirls (bless them). Plus, bonus waterbottle action:

Highlights:

Posted by PartidoaPartido who has more match videos on his site.

Post-match on-court interview:

If this is region blocked for you, try this link.

9 Sep 2011 | by miri | 14 Comments

USO: Short, sharp and bittersweet

In the last quarterfinal in the men’s half of the 2011 US Open, Rafa played Andy Roddick (#21). Well, didn’t so much play him, as destroyed him a bit or maybe a lot. The last time they met on a US hard court, Rafa went up a set and then lost the next two while slamming his fists into his thighs on a change-over while complaining about his knees. This time, Rafa won the first set and just kept going and

9 Sep 2011 | by miri | 52 Comments