Rome: Berdych’s number

Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

In the first of the Italian Open’s semifinals, Rafa played #6 Tomas Berdych. At first, it looked like Rafa had an appointment to get to – he was on fire and took the first set in just 31 minutes. The second set was much more competative as Rafa’s level dropped and Berdych’s went up. Neither of these changed enough to cause the upset, though. Rafa scores his 13th win in a row over Berdych: 6-2, 6-4. Despite having the kind of game that can trouble him, Rafa clearly has Berdych’s number.

18 May 2013 | by miri | 26 Comments

Madrid: Semifinal presser transcript

Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
The transcript from Rafa’s semifinal presser is up on ASAP Sports.

Congratulations for your victory. You’ve already played four matches here in Madrid. Given the conditions of the court and also with the altitude and the fact that you’ve been seven months without playing, the feelings are worse or better than you were expecting before coming here?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, you know, I didn’t know if I was going to be in the final, you know. Obviously

12 May 2013 | by miri | One Comment

RafaLint: May 11th

Photo by REUTERS/ Juan Medina
Articles:

Nadal Outclasses Andujar In Madrid; Continues Quest For 55th Title – via atpworldtour.com (includes a highlights video)
Nadal crushes Andujar to reach Madrid final – Reuters via yahoo.com
Nadal to bid for his third crown – via madrid-open.com
Nadal brushes Andujar aside to reach Madrid Open final – via espn.co.uk
Rafa’s amazing return says more about him than it does men’s tennis – by Patrick Mouratoglou (uk.eurosport.yahoo.com)
Rafael Nadal reaches 7th straight final at Madrid Open; Williams to face

11 May 2013 | by miri | One Comment

Madrid: Semifinal photos

Photos from Rafa’s win over Pablo Andujar.

Photos by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images, REUTERS/Juan Medina, REUTERS/Susana Vera, AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza, and Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images Europe

11 May 2013 | by miri | 2 Comments

Madrid: Semifinal videos

Full match:

Posted by TennisOnlineHD.

Match highlights:

Posted by RAFApedia.

Post match on court interview in Spanish:

Posted by molvi1501.

Post match in studio interview in English:

Post match presser excerpt in English:

Posted by ATPWorldTour.

11 May 2013 | by miri | No Comment

Madrid: Never in doubt

Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/ Getty Images
For his semifinal match in Madrid, Rafa played wildcard and surprise semifinalist Pablo Andujar (#113). Their ranking showed in the first set as Rafa dominated and served up a bagel in just 25 minutes. The second set proved to be more competative, but still never really felt in doubt. Rafa’s into the final with a 6-0, 6-4 victory.

11 May 2013 | by miri | 13 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