King in Rio

Rafa won the final against Dolgopolov in straight sets: 6-3, 7-6 after one hour and 41 minutes of play.

After the final, Rafa said: "Always when you win a title, it’s special.In a 500 tournament, you don’t have a chance to play a lot of these in the calendar. The first edition of a big tournament like Rio, it’s a very important city in the world, and after coming back from injury, it always makes the victory a little more special."

"Yesterday was a tough match. Pablo played a great match, playing very aggressive. I played too short yesterday and I gave him the chance to have control of the point from inside."

"I’m not very happy with the way I played yesterday, but I think today I was able to play with a little bit more calm, play a little bit longer and go a little bit more for the points. I played a more solid match today."

The next tournament in Rafa`s schedule is Indian Wells. The tournament begins on March 6th.



VAMOS RAFA !!!

Rafa in Rio final

After no problem in quarters against Joao Sousa (6-1, 6-0), Rafa had a tough match in semifinals against Pablo Andujar of Spain. Rafa won in 3 sets: 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 after he saved 2 match points in tie-break. The match lasted 2 hours and 46 minutes.

In Rio`s final, Rafa will play against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine. On head to head, Rafa leads Dolgopolov: 4-0. Their last match was in 2013 in Shanghai, where Rafa won in straight sets: 6-3, 6-2.




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Rio Quarters

Another step forward for Rafa in Rio after he defeated Albert Montanes of Spain in straight sets: 6-1, 6-2.

After the match Rafa said: "When you get injured in the final of a Grand Slam and stop for 2 ½ weeks it’s not easy to come back. The back is still bothering me a little bit. But I am happy with my decision to be here."

In quarterfinal, Rafa will play against Joao Sousa of Portugal. Rafa never played Sousa before.




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800th match

Rafa played his 800th match in Rio and he won against Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain in straighyt sets: 6-3, 7-5.

After the match, Rafa said: "I'm happy to be back in competition. I had to face a player that's been playing for several weeks on clay courts. I have to improve some details, but I played better than I practised and that's positive."

"Latin America is very special for me, I feel like home. The people are great to me and it's a pleasure to be back in Brazil. I hope I can come more often."

In next round, Rafa will play against Albert Montanes of Spain. On head to head, Rafa leads Montanes: 2-0. Their last match was 7 year ago, in 2007 at Roland Garros: 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

VAMOS RAFA !!!

Practice session in Rio

Photo: zimbio.com



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Press conference in Rio de Janeiro

Photo: zimbio.com



VAMOS RAFA !!!