Rafa@Roland Garros 2013

Rafa had a tough first round at Roland Garros but he managed to defeat Daniel Brands of Germany in 4 sets: 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-3 on Philppe Chatrier Court after 2 hours and 54 minutes.

After the match, Rafa said: "he was unbelievable. I just tried to find my game and tried to resist his fantastic shots. He played a fantastic match and put me in a very difficult situation."

In second round, Rafa will play against Martin Klizan of Slovakia. Rafa never played Klizan before.



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King in Rome

Confortable win for Rafa in the last act at Internazionali BNL d`Italia. He defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland in straight sets: 6-1, 6-3 after one hour and 9 minutes. Rafa won the first set after only 23 minutes.

After the final, Rafa said: "If you told med four or five months ago that after eight tournaments I would have won six titles from eight finals, I would say you are crazy. All I can say is `thank you for the support and to my team`. Thanks to them I have the chance to be here again and compete. I don`t want to think about Roland Garros yet. Let me enjoy this victory."

About the match, Rafa said: "It was surprising. I did not expect 6-1 but that is what happened. It is always surprising when you play against someone like Roger and you win 6-1, how can I explain when these things happen and you have to combine a few facts. If i play like this and I arrive at Roland Garros and somebody beats me I shake his hand and so I`m happy. I`m playing much better that some months ago and I am doing the right things and I`m playing well."

The next tournament where we can see Rafa is the second Grand Slam of the year, Roland Garros. The tournament starts on May 26.



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Clash No. 30

Rafa will play his 24th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final after he defeated Tomas Berdych in straight sets: 6-2, 6-4 at Internazionali BNL d`Italia afte one hour and 18 minutes.

After the semifinal, Rafa said: "Eight finals in row is wonderful. Four to five months ago it was impossible to think about this. I hope to play very well. Any result will be fantastic.
The first set was fantastic. I played at a high level and everything went well with no mistakes. I was dominating the points and following to the net. I think I played one of my best matches since I came back."

In Rome final, Rafa will play against Roger Federer. They will meet for the 30th time, Nadal leads Federer on head to head: 19-10. Their last match was this year in quarterfinals at Indian Wells when Rafa won in straight sets: 6-4, 6-2.



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Tough win

Rafa had another tough match at Internazionali BNL d`Italia, this time against David Ferrer of Spain. Rafa defeated Ferrer in 3 sets: 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 after 2 hours and 46 minutes.

After this long and tough fight, Rafa is in semifinals and he stays on course for the title No. 7 in Rome.

After the quarterfinal, Rafa said: "I played a great match against a difficult opponent. In the worst moment in the third set, I played my best tennis and I`m happy. Ferrer is a fantastic player and a big example for the kids on being positive, fighting and correct on the court. This victory for me is very special."

In semifinals, Rafa will play against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic. On head to head, Rafa leads Berdych: 13-3 and he never lost against the Czech player since 2006. Their last match was this year in Indian Wells, where Rafa won in straight sets: 6-4, 7-5.



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Rafa won a big battle

Rafa defeated Ernests Gulbis of Latvia in 3 sets: 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 after a tough fight who lasted 2 hours and 38 minutes at Internazionali BNL d`Italia in Rome.

After the match, Rafa said: "If you hit as hard as you can and hit every ball at 216 or 220 kph and that means being the best player, then perheps Gulbis was the best player. For me the best player tries to find solutions against the other player. When I served for the second set and I lost and also in the third, I still was fighting and I found solutions, so the best player won.

In Rome quarterfinal, Rafa will play against David Ferrer, after Rafa played against him last week in Madrid and won in 3 sets: 4-6, 7-6, 6-0. On head to head Rafa leads Ferrer: 18-4.



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Rafa@Internazionali BNL d`Italia

Rafa started his Rome campaign with a victory. He defeated Fabio Fognini in straight sets: 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and one minute in 2nd round at Internazionali BNL d`Italia.

After the match Rafa said: "I think I played the right match to go through and I played well. In the beginning Fabio had more mistakes, but I prefer to talk about myself. I was aggressive when I had the chance."

In 3rd round, Rafa will play against Ernests Gulbis of Latvia. On head to head, Rafa leads Gulbis: 5-0. Their last match was this year in Indian Wells, where Rafa won in 3 sets: 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.

About tomorrow`s match, Rafa said: "Tomorrow I play against an opponent wo is vey dangerous. He`s playing well and he`s having a great season. I had a tough match against him in Indian Wells this year. He`s an aggressive player, big serve, big shots from the baseline and I have to be playing great if I want to have any chance."



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King in Madrid

Rafa won his 23rd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 after he defeated Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in straight sets: 6-2, 6-4 at Mutua Madrid Open in one hour and 11 minutes.

After he won the final, Rafa said: "I`m verry happy. I think I played a really good match. I think I player the best match of the whole week today in the final. Being able to play here in Madrid and being able to win in front of all my people is something really special."

About tactics, Rafa said: "I had the idea to go out there and play good with my forehand, to smack it hard and try to get many points with my drive."

The next tournament for Rafa is Internazionali BNL d`Italia.




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The dream continues

Rafa defeated Pablo Andujar at Mutua Madrid Open 2013 and he is in the final. Nadal won the semifinal in straight setsa: 6-0, 6-4 after one hour and 17 minutes. To win the first set, Rafa needed only 27 minutes and lost only 9 points.

After the semifinal, Rafa said: "I`ve only played seven tournaments and I don`t know if  I`m going to be able to compete to win Roland Garros. I don`t know it today. The only thinking I have is that how I have played until now has been really good. The results have been really positive. Today I`m enjoying my path to the final in one of the most important tournaments in the world. We go step by step, week by week even when we get to Roland Garros."

In Madrid final, Rafa will play against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland. Rafa never lost against Wawrinka, on head to head Rafa leads: 8-0.
Their last match was in 2012 in Monte-Carlo, where Rafa won in straight sets: 7-5, 6-4.



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Rafa reached Madrid semifinal

Rafa defeated David Ferrer of Spain in 3 sets: 4-6, 7-6, 6-0 after a llong match: 2 hours and 37 minutes and he is in semifinals at Mutua Madrid Open 2013.

After the quarterfinal against Ferrer, Rafa said: "To win matches like today is always important. For me physically these matches help me as these are the kind of matches that ask the most of you physically. I think I played well. I had some highs and lows. In some moments i played aggressively.
I think Ferrer played a very high level first two sets, third one he went down a little bit. I think he did really well with his crosscourt backhand and with his forehand. We know he has a really good forehand. David is pretty solid right now."

In Madrid semifinal, Rafa will play against Pablo Andujar of Spain. Rafa leads Andujar: 1-0. The only match between them was in 2011 at Roland Garros where Rafa won in 3 sets: 7-5, 6-3, 7-6.


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Rafa vs Youznhy (PHOTO)

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Rafa runs to quarterfinals

Rafa defeated Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in straight sets: 6-2, 6-3 after one hour and 15 minutes.

After the match Rafa said: "Since I`ve been back, I haven`t had the security that I am in my perfect moment. I just have to try and feel that I`m getting better and better day after day. So, I have to have my feet on the ground. I made it to the quarterfinals of Madrid. For me, it`s lovely to be able to say that today. I`ll try to enjoy the quarterfinal match tomorrow."

In Madrid quarterfinal, Rafa will play against David Ferrer. On head to head, Rafa leads Ferrer: 17-4. Their last match was this year in Acapulco final, where Rafa won in straight sets: 6-0, 6-2.



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Rafa beats Paire

Rafa defeated Benoit Paire of France in 2nd round at Mutua Madrid Open in straight sets: 6-3, 6-4.

After the match Rafa said: "That`s an important victory today. Each match in this kind of tournament is very demanding from the first round. He was a very uncomfortable opponent. He makes you play quite badly. He doesn`t give you any rhythm. He has one of the best backhands in the circuit without any doubt."

In 3rd round, Rafa will play against Mikhail Youznhy of Russia. On head to head, Rafa leads Youznhy: 9-4. Their last match was in 2012 in Doha where Rafa won the match in straight sets: 6-4, 6-4.



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Rafa`s gear for Roland Garros 2013

Photo: tennis-buzz.com


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