First tough test in Rome

Three hours and 19 minutes needed Rafa to pass Gilles Simon of France. Rafa won in 3 sets: 7-6, 6-7, 6-2 at Internazionali BNL d`Italia.

After the match, Rafa said: "The conditions were difficult, it was very cold and the ball didn’t bounce a lot. It was a tough moment in the second set, but this was the first match on clay where I had to suffer, mentally and physically. I was not playing bad and I am happy to have dealt with that kind of anxiety."

"I look forward to playing the third set because these are the matches that give me more satisfaction, the ones that test you very deeply. I did it and I am very happy."

h In 3rd Round, Rafa will face Mikhail Youznhy of Russia. On head to head, Rafa leads Youzhny: 10-4. Their last match was last year in Madrid, where Rafa won in straight sets: 6-2, 6-3.


VAMOS RAFA !!!