It happens

Rafa lost the ATP World Tour Finals against Novak Djokovic in straight sets: 3-6, 4-6 after one hour and 36 minutes of play.

This was the last tournament for Rafa in 2013. This year was incredible for him and we all looking forward to see him in 2014. Best of luck Rafa and stay healthy ! You are the best !



VAMOS RAFA !!! 

Now or never

Rafa will play the final in London after he defeated Roger Federer in straight sets: 7-5, 6-3 after one hour and 19 minutes.

After the match, Rafa said: "I think Roger played really aggressive, that's my feeling. At the beginning, his serve worked very well. My feeling is in the first set, he played very well. So in my opinion until 4-4, he was playing better than me.

"I saved a few break points, very important ones, and then I played a good game when I had the break… The key of the match was probably at 5-5, after he had the break back in the first set, when I was serving for the set. I got the break another time to be 6-5 in my favour. That was very important."

"I hope to be ready for that for the last remaining match. I know it's going to be a difficult one. But I will try my best. I need to play my best match to have a chance tomorrow."

Rafa will play the final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia. On head to head, Rafa leads Djokovic: 22-16. Their last match was this year in Beijing final, where Rafa lost in straight sets: 3-6, 4-6.



VAMOS RAFA !!!

Rafa wins the Showdown

Rafa defeated Roger Federer: 7-5, 6-3.

More later...




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The King of Kings

Rafa with his ATP World Tour No.1 trophy  in London

Photo: zimbio.com



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Final Standings in Group A

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No problem in Group A

3 matches - 3 wins for Rafa in Group A after he defeated Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in 3 sets: 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 after one hour and 50 minutes.

After the match, Rafa said: "I attained my goal. I am in the semi-finals without losing a match. So that's most important thing for me."

Because he won the Group A, Rafa will play in semifinals against 2nd place from Group B. So, Rafa will play either Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina or Roger Federer of Switzerland.

"Any opponent will be very difficult. We are playing against the best players in the world. So if is del Potro, if is Federer, both players know very well how to beat me, on this surface especially. The only way to win the match of semi-finals is by playing my best match, playing fantastic tennis. I have one day off. One day tomorrow to keep playing well, keep trying to improve a little bit more."




VAMOS RAFA !!!

Double victory !

Rafa won his second Round A match against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in straight sets: 7-6, 7-6 after 2 hours and 12 minutes of play and he is in semifinals and he will be No.1 in the ATP Rankings for the rest of the year. Congratulations, Rafa !

After the match Rafa said: "Today, it was more important secure the No. 1 at the end of the season. It is one of the best things that I have done in my career – coming back to the No. 1 after three seasons. That's very difficult in our sport  and the good thing is that after two matches now, I can really be focused only on the tournament because the year end is over."

"I am in semi-finals. I am very far away from winning this title. Winning two matches already is a very positive thing for me. But, seriously, even if I am in semi-finals, on this surface, I am not the favourite. I know that. But I am going to try. We'll see if that happens."

"At the end of the first set there were two amazing points. One lob that I don't know how I put it there. I saw it on the TV after the match, and I felt that I was very far away from the ball. He was unlucky on the next point. He made a bad movement at the net."

Ranked No. 4 in the Emirates ATP Rankings last season, Rafa is the first player to rank outside the Top 3 before finishing No. 1 the following year since Andy Roddick in 2003 (was No. 10 in 2002).

Group A Standings

Last match in this group stage for Rafa will be against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic. On head to head, Rafa leads Berdych: 16-3. Their last match was this year in Beijing and Berdych retired from the semifinals when the score was 4-2 for Rafa in first set.



VAMOS RAFA !!!

First victory in Group A

One hour and 14 minutes needed Rafa to win the first match in Group A against David Ferrer of Spain. Rafa won the match in straight sets: 6-3, 6-2.

Match statistics:

The next match will be against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland. If Rafa will win this match he is in semifinals at ATP World Tour Finals. On head to head, Rafa leads Wawrinka: 11-0. Their last match was this year in Shnaghai, where Rafa won in straight sets: 7-6, 6-1.


Group A Standings:

VAMOS RAFA !!!

Practice session in London

Photo: zimbio.com



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Goodbye Paris !

Rafa lost the semifinal against David Ferrer at BNP Paribas Masters in 2 sets: 3-6, 5-7.

The next tournament for Rafa is the ATP World Tour Finals. The draw for this tournament has been released and Rafa is in Group A with David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Stanislas Wawrinka.

The tournament begins on November 4th. Rafa`s first match in London will be against David Ferrer on November 5th.




VAMOS RAFA !!!

Paris Semifinal

Only 5 games lost Rafa in the quarterfinal against Richard Gasquet of France. He defeat Gasquet in straight sets: 6-4, 6-1 after one hour and 7 minutes.

After the quarterfinal, Rafa said: "It's great to have all the best players playing well and having good results this year," said Rafa about the final eight in Paris, including Gasquet. "Having the eight players in the quarter-finals also playing in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals is great news."

In semifinals, Rafa will play against David Ferrer of Spain. On head to head, Rafa leads Ferrer: 20-4. Their last mtach was this year in Roland Garros final, where Rafa won in 3 sets: 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.


Match statistics:

VAMOS RAFA !!!

BNP Paribas Quarters

Rafa won the 3rd Round match in Paris against Jerzy Janowicz of Poland in straight sets: 7-5, 6-4 after one hour and 43 minutes of play.

In quarterfinals, Rafa will play against Richard Gasquet of France. Rafa never lost a match against Gasquet. The overall score between them is 11-0. Their last match was this year at US Open, where Rafa won in 3 sets: 6-4, 7-6, 6-2.

Match statistics:

VAMOS RAFA !!!