vs Wawrinka for the crown

Rafa is ready for the Australian Open 2014 final after he defeated Roger Federer of Switzerland in straight sets: 7-6, 6-3, 6-3.

After the semifinal, Rafa said: "I played well tonight. I think I played probably my best match of the tournament. So I am very, very, very happy for this great news that I played my best match in that semi-final against Roger. 

"He arrived to that match winning two great matches against [Jo-Wilfried] Tsonga and Andy [Murray] two days ago. I am really very happy the way I played tonight, and it is a very special moment to have the chance to be in another final."
In Australian Open final, Rafa will play against Stanislas Wawrinka from Switzerland. On head to head, Rafa  leads Wawrinka: 12-0. Their last match was last year at Barclays World Tour Finals in London, where Rafa won straight sets: 7-6, 7-6.

Rafa spoke about Wawrinka and he said: "He's playing great. He's a good friend, great guy. So I am happy for him that he's in the final. He deserves it. He's playing better and better every year. 

"He's serving unbelievable. He's hitting the ball very strong from the baseline. He is very, very quick. I know it will be a very, very tough match. If I am not able to play my best, I think I will not have chances because he's coming into this match with a lot of victories and playing great."



VAMOS RAFA !!!

Semifinal clash

4 sets  needed Rafa to win the quarterfinal match at Australian Open against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria: 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2.

After the match Rafa said:" I served slower. I served bad. I was able to win a match against a very difficult opponent, so that has much more value than when everything is great. And because of these victories, sometimes it happens that the next day you are able to play much better, and these victories at the end of the year are more important than the days that you are playing great."

"It was very important to win the third set. You are coming back after the first set and winning the next two in both tie-breaks, is a tough moment mentally for the opponent. 

"After that, if I am ready to stay strong at the beginning of the fourth, I know I'm going to have my chances. But it was an important moment. Finally it was decisive. If that ball, that forehand from him, had gone in and he had won the third, I was going to keep fighting, because I felt that I was ready for the fight. I was tired, but I think that he was tired, too. I will keep fighting until the end."

In semifinals, Rafa will play against Roger Federer of Switzerland. On head to head, Rafa leads Federer: 22-10. Their last match was last year in London at Barclays World Tour Finals. Rafa won in straight sets: 7-5, 6-3.

VAMOS RAFA !!!

Melbourne quarters

Rafa had a tough match in 4th Round at Australian Open but he managed to defeated Kei Nishikori of Japan in straight sets: 7-6, 7-5, 7-6.

After thi hard fight, Rafa said: "Nishikori played a fantastic match, in my opinion. Just a few mistakes in some moments that were tough ones. But for the rest of the match he played very aggressively and he went for his shots. He came on court with the determination to take the ball very early and go for winners."

For a place in semifinals Rafa will play against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria. On head to head, Rafa leads Dimitrov: 3-0. Their last match was in 2013 in Cincinnatti, where Rafa won in 3 sets: 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. 



VAMOS RAFA !!!

Easy

After he defeated Kokkinakis in 2nd Round, Rafa eliminated Gael Monfils of France in 3rd Round at Australian Open. He defeated the french player in 3 sets: 6-1, 6-2, 6-3.

After the match, Nadal said: "Tonight I think I played a great match. I'm very happy with the way that I played against a very tough opponent like Gaël. So that makes the level that I played tonight better because it was against a tough opponent. That's it. Just one very good day. That makes me feel confident, but I am in the fourth round. That's all."

In 4th Round, Rafa will play against Kei Nishikori of Japan. On head to head, Rafa leads Nishikori: 5-0. Their last match was in 2013 at Roland Garros, where Rafa won in 3 sets: 6-4, 6-1, 6-3.

Rafa spoke about the 4th Round match: "Kei is a great player. He's able to play very aggressive, make very easy the very difficult things. He's very quick on the movements. Will be a very tough opponent for me. I think he had a very good victory today. He's playing great. Will be a tough one. I need to keep playing the way that I played tonight."



VAMOS RAFA !!!

Tomic retires, Rafa advances

Bernard Tomic of Australia retired after he lost the first set 4-6 against Rafa.

After this short 1st Round match, Rafa said: "It's very tough to go out of a tournament like this when you are playing at home, when you are playing night session with full crowd. I felt really sorry for Bernard. I was in that situation a few years ago and I know how tough it is to take that decision. But if you feel bad, there is no reason why you have to continue. You put in risk the next tournaments for nothing."

"First of all, it is fantastic news to be back here in this great tournament after missing last year. I missed a lot being here. It's a place that I really love so much. I enjoy a lot being here in this city."

In 2nd Round, Rafa will play against Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia. Rafa never played Kokkinakis before.




VAMOS RAFA !!!

Rafa`s kit for Australian Open 2014

VAMOS RAFA !!!

King in Doha

Rafa won his first Qatar ExxonMobil Open crown after he defated Gael Monfils of France in 3 sets: 6-1, 6-7, 6-2 atfer one hour and 59 minutes.

Congratulations, Rafa !!!

For Nadal the next tournament in his schedule is the first Grand Slam of the year, Australian Open.




VAMOS RAFA !!!

Rafa in semis

Victory number 7 for Rafa against Ernests Gulbis of Latvia. Nadal won the quarterfinal in straight sets: 7-5, 6-4 after one hour and 56 minutes of play.

In semifinals, Rafa will play against Peter Gojowczyk of Germany. Rafa never played Gojowczyk before.




VAMOS RAFA !!!

Doha Quarters

After he defeated Lukas Rosol in straight sets, Rafa played agains Tobias Kamke and it was another victory for Nadal in Doha.

The 2nd Round match was won in 3 sets: 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 after 2 hours and 25 minutes.

In Doha quarters, Rafa will play against Ernests Gulbis of Latvia. On head to head, Rafa leads Gulbis: 6-0. Their las match was last year in Rome, when Rafa won in 3 sets: 1-6, 7-5, 6-4.



VAMOS RAFA !!!