Happy Birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RAFA!!!

VAMOS RAFA!!!

Rafa Winner Mode : ON.

Rafael Nadal captured his ninth Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters crown on Sunday as he defeated Gael Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 in an enthralling final on Court Ranier III.

With H.S.H. Prince Albert II and his wife, Princess Charlene of Monaco, watching on, Nadal claimed a record-equalling 28th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown and his first for almost two years.

The 29-year-old Nadal reclaimed the title that he won at the Monte-Carlo Country Club from 2005-2012. His 46-match winning streak in Monte-Carlo was finally ended in the 2013 final by Novak Djokovic.

"The victory here confirms that I am better and I am very happy... It's been a very, very emotional week for me, a very important event," Nadal said. "Monte-Carlo is one of the most important places in my career without any doubt. To win again here after three years is so special for me."

ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Title Leaders

Victory marked Nadal’s first ATP World Tour title since lifting the trophy in Hamburg in August 2015 (d. Fognini).

In a battle full of twists and turns, Nadal ultimately prevailed over Monfils in two hours and 46 minutes. Monfils has made his most consistent start yet to a season, and caused Nadal no end of trouble with his incredible defence and point-clinching shot-making.

But the Frenchman’s legs ultimately ran out in the decider as Nadal’s continued pounding from the baseline eventually took its toll. The Spaniard fell to his knees as he celebrated a longed-for victory after a trying 18 months on the ATP World Tour.

Most Clay-Court Titles (Open Era)

Appearing in his 100th tour-level final, Nadal clinched his 68th title. The left-hander is the sixth player in the Open Era to reach a century of finals on the ATP World Tour. After laying his hands on his 48th clay-court crown, Nadal is now just one trophy away from drawing level with Open Era clay title leader Guillermo Vilas.

"Winning nine times here is something unbelievable for me," Nadal said. "I need to keep going."

Nadal's Happy Hunting Grounds

Source: ATP.

VAMOS RAFA!!!

Sweet revenge!

Rafael Nadal has avenged his shock defeat from this year’s Australian Open, turning the tables on compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-0, 7-6(9) to reach the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday.

The fourth seed raced through the opening set without conceding a game before his fellow left-handed Spaniard conjured his first break of serve to get on the board. It marked the first of four consecutive breaks at the start of the second set before play continued on serve to the tie-break.

Verdasco looked to be taking the match into a deciding set when he held three set points at 6/3 in the tie-break. Nadal, though, reeled off four straight points to bring up a match point. Verdasco rallied to bring up a further two set points before Nadal closed it out on his second match point.

“I lost matches similar to this one in Australia, in Bueno Aires, in Rio de Janeiro, so it's important winning sets like this for me,” Nadal said. “I feel lucky to win the tie-break, and at the same time I think at the end of the tie-break I played well with not many mistakes and going for the points.

“So it is an important victory for me. Two match wins here, tough ones. That's something that stays in my mind and helps.”

The victory secured a fourth-round meeting with German #NextGen star Alexander Zverev, an earlier winner of No. 16 seed Gilles Simon. It will be their first clash.

“He’s a clear possible future No. 1,” Nadal said. “He’s an amazing player. He has all the shots and very good physical performance. He’s tall, has a good serve – first and second – great shots from the baseline, forehand and backhand.

“He has everything to become a big star and he’s playing well. He already won matches against Grigor Dimitrov, against Gilles Simon today.

“I know it’s going to be a very tough match. I’m happy the way I played today in the first set, so if I can keep going the same way tomorrow, I hope to have my chances.”

The Spaniard had fallen in his most recent clash with Verdasco – a five-set boilover in the opening round at Melbourne Park in January. His win in Indian Wells takes his FedEx Head2Head record against his countryman to 14-3.

Source: ATP.

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Rafa`s kit for the Australian Open 2016

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