Game over in Barcelona

As you probably know, Rafa was defeated in Barcelona Open quarterfinal by Nicolas Almagro in 3 sets: 6-2, 6-7, 4-6.

The next tournament in Rafa`s schedule is Mutua Madrid Open. The tournament begins on May 4th.



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QF spot booked

6-3, 6-3 for Rafa against Ivan Dodig of Croatia for a place in quarterfinal at Barcelona Open.

After the match, Rafa said: "I think I improved everything in my game a little bit. I'm happy with the way I played. I was a little bit more aggressive with more control on my shots and changing direction better than I did yesterday. I was able to hit a few winners with the right confidence. That's the important thing for me."

la In quaterfinals, Rafa will play against Nicoals Almagro of Spain. On head to head, Rafa leads Almagro: 10-0. Their last match was in 2013 at the same tournament, when Rafa won in straight sets: 6-4, 6-3.



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Tough opener in Barcelona

One hour and 56 minutes needed Rafa to win his first Barcelona Open 2014 match against Albert Ramos of Spain in straight sets: 7-6, 6-4.

After the match, Rafa said: "It was a positive victory for me. Obviously I didn't play my best match, but after the defeat in Monte-Carlo, the next match on court was never going to be easy. I am happy with the way I fought and proud of the victory today. The victories are more important when you haven't played well. I feel happy to be through on a tough day for the top seeds.

"Albert played great. I knew it was going to be complicated and I accepted my errors, always fighting for the next points. I suffered but fought hard."

"I need to improve everything. I'm working every day to play more aggressively. I need to find the feeling of being dominant in the points. I feel that sometimes I'm hitting balls from good positions and I'm not able to create the right spaces, to find winners. I need to try and find that for the next match."

Rafa will next face Ivan Dodig of Croatia. On head to head, Rafa leads Dodig: 2-1. Their last match was in 2013 at US Open, where Rafa won in 3 sets: 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.




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300

Milestone for Rafa after the victory against Andreas Seppi of  Italy. This victory was No. 300 on clay for him. He won the 3rd Round match in straight sets: 6-1, 6-3.

After the match, Rafa said: “I think today I played a little bit better than yesterday. For a long time I was playing at a good level, I think, changing directions very well and playing with the right intensity. At 4-1 in the second set I stopped a little bit with my legs. Seppi is a player that takes the ball early. If you are not playing from inside, you are in big trouble. I lost a little intensity, made a few mistakes. I was lucky to have the break back again.”

Mil In quarterfinals, Rafa will play aginst David Ferrer of Spain. On head to head, Rafa leads Ferrer: 21-5. Their last match was in 2013 at Barclays World Tour Finals, where Rafa won in straight sets: 6-3, 6-2.



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Rafa in 3rd Round

One hour and 12 minutes needed Rafa to win the 2nd Round match at Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. He defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili in straight sets: 6-4, 6-1.

After the mtach, Rafa said: "It was very important that point, 3-1, break point for him. I saved it with one good shot and one good volley. After that I felt that was the time to try to push a little bit more and increase a little bit the rhythm and the intensity. I did, I think. I played a good game to have the break back. I felt that I had the match a little bit more under control."

"Always in the first match, the thing that you want at the beginning is get into a rhythm, play some long points, find the feelings. But I didn't have that chance because he started very quick with finding the winners on the first ball that he could."

In 3rd Round, Rafa will play against Andreas Seppi of Italy. On head to head, Rafa leads Seppi: 4-1. Their last match was in 2009 in Cincinnati, where Rafa won in straight sets: 7-6, 7-6.



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Practice session in Monte Carlo

Photo: zimbio.com



VAMOS RAFA !!!