Rafa looks strong in Paris!

Rafa started his RG title defense with two easy victories: in 1st Round against Quentin Halys of France (6-3, 6-3, 6-4) and in 2nd Round against Nicolas Almagro of Spain (6-4, 6-3, 6-1).

After the 2nd Round match, Rafa said: "I'm very happy. I think I played a good match. The score is easier than what the match was like. I think I did a few things very well."

"My footwork was better. I felt better than during the first round. I'm very happy with my performance and result."

In 3rd Round, Rafa will play agianst Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia. About hi 3rd Round opponent, Rafa said: "He's aggressive and has huge potential. He's a hitter, and his shots can be winners. He's very dangerous. My objective is to keep on doing what I did today. My match was a good match. I will try and continue with the same tracks."

VAMOS RAFA !!!

VAMOS!

Rafa won the semifinal against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in straight sets: 7-6, 6-1 and he will play his seventh final at Mutua Madrid Open.

After the semifinal, Rafa said: "For the past couple of days I have been playing better and better every day. That's always very good news. I am in the final. I am happy for that. I am enjoying a lot the fact that I am playing in front of an unbelievable crowd. For me, that's the best crowd in the world without any doubt. So that gives me a lot of really positive energy."

"Today I played again at a very good level. I did yesterday; today I played at a very, very high level. Let's see tomorrow if I am able to continue with that positive feeling. This week has been fantastic for me. This is a very important result, and that's confidence, that's positive energy. That's calm, too. Let's try to continue tomorrow and try to continue with that good feeling next week. I worked a lot to have that feeling, and today I had that feeling that I've been trying to find for a while."

In Madrid final, Rafa will play against Andy Murray. On head to head, Rafa leads Murray: 15-5. Their last match was last year in Roland Garros semifinal, when Rafa won in 3 sets: 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.

VAMOS RAFA !!!

No problem

One hour and 49 minutes needed Rafa to defeat Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in straight sets: 6-3, 6-4.

After the quarterfinal, Rafa said: “Overall I'm satisfied; I'm happy. I have made it to the semi-finals, and I think that's a great result for me, especially after losing in Barcelona the way I did."

“My goal is to feel myself playing better every day. That's my real goal. Then obviously, the goal is always the same, to try to have the best result possible.” 

In semifinals, Rafa will play against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic. On head to head, Rafa leads Berdych: 18-4. Their last match was this year at Australian Open, when Berdych won in 3 sets: 6-2, 6-0, 7-6.

VAMOS RAFA !!!

Ready for Dimitrov?

Rafa earned his QF spot at Mutua Madrid Open after he defeated Simone Bolelli in straight sets: 6-2, 6-2.

After the match, Rafa said: "I managed to maintain a good level throughout the match. It's not been incredible, but I think it's an acceptable level. I'm happy with the level I had today. I'll try to just step up again tomorrow. It's an important victory today. I made it to the quarter-finals. At the moment, we have to be happy about everything that I achieve. I have to be happy about all the victories. They are really valuable. I'm happy, and let's try to be ready for tomorrow."

In quarterfinals, Rafa will play against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria. About his opponent, Rafa said: "Everything worries me about Dimitrov. He's a very good player. The only way to beat him is to play at really high level. I think he has had more difficult matches than me this week. That's an advantage for him. Let's see what happens. I hope to be ready for it, but I know Dimitrov is a fantastic player and a player that can win against everybody. Great talent."

On head to head, Rafa leads Dimitrov: 5-0. Their last match was last year in Rome, where Rafa won in straight sets: 6-2, 6-2.


VAMOS RAFA !!!

No problem in first match in Madrid

No problem for Rafa in his first match at Mutua Madrid Open. He defeated Steve Johnson of United States in straight sets: 6-4, 6-3.

After the match, Rafa said: "I went out there to do a simple game with no complications. I tried to play easily. I know how things work out when you come from losing a couple of matches. I know that you're a little bit nervous whenever you finish a game, as I finished the other day with Fabio Fognini in Barcelona."

"I tried to start from the bottom and just go up. I think, especially the last three games, I finished pretty well. I managed to do a couple more things with my backhand."

"I know things are going to work out. I haven't lost my game. I just need to build my confidence and it'll work out. I know that either sooner or later it will come back. That's what I want to think. I'm convinced about it. It's matter of time. Let's see when it happens."

In 3rd Round, Rafa will play against Simone Bolelli of Italy. On head to head, Rafa leads Bolelli: 4-0. Their last match was last year in Basel, where Rafa won in straight sets: 6-2, 6-2.

VAMOS RAFA !!!