Rafael Nadal

[Annie]

Nadal Plays Rochus in ATP Comeback

Rafael Nadal, the world’s No. 2 ranked player, is back. The 19-year-old Spanish sensation is set to take on Belgium’s Olivier Rochus in the first round of the Open 13 in Marseille Tuesday.

Nadal, seeded first in Marseille, hasn’t played on the ATP circuit since winning his 11th title of 2005 at the Masters Series Madrid event in late October. The Spaniard went down with a left foot injury that sidelined him from the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai and the Australian Open.

The flamboyant crowd pleaser recently beat Fabrice Santoro in an exhibition match in France.

"I'm really happy to be here," Nadal said in Marseille Sunday. "I've been out of the swing of things for a long time and I hope to get back into the rhythm with a few matches to regain my form."

As for his match against Rochus, ranked 30, Nadal said, “He's a very good, talented player. I'll have to be very disciplined against him.” If Nadal gets by Rochus, he could potentially face No. 4 seed Thomas Johansson of Sweden in the semifinals and No. 2 seed Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia in the final.

Nadal blazed to a 79-10 record last year, matching Roger Federer atop the leader board with his 11 titles. Federer and Nadal also tied with a record four ATP Masters Series victories. Nadal also emerged victorious at Roland Garros.

He hasn’t played the Marseille tournament before. Nadal has a 2-1 record against Rochus, beating the Belgian in their last match, 6-1, 6-2 in Monte Carlo last year.

After Marseille, Nadal plans to play Rotterdam, Dubai and then ATP Masters Series events in Indian Wells and Miami.

Nadal, who doesn’t turn 20 until June 3, still has a chance to break Bjorn Borg’s record of 16 ATP titles as a teenager. Nadal currently has 12 victories, tying him for third place with Boris Becker. Mats Wilander is second with 13.


VAMOS RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

[Tish]

Well it has all happened while we were sleeping... ;D

The Fed Express has been derailed but possibly only temporarily

Missed the final for Dubai but for those who were not watching the game here is a little look at the live comments posted from Eurosport.

Live comments
16:24 Nadal and Federer have met just 3 times before and it's the 19-year-old from Mallorca who leads their head-to-heads. Nadal won their last encounter - a memorable in the French Open semis, where the Spaniard came through in five sets.
16:26 They're underway and it's Federer to serve first...
16:28 Comfortable hold from Federer, who moves into a 1-0 lead..
16:31 At deuce, a wicked backhand slice from Federer forces Nadal to hit a forehand wide and it's BREAK POINT to the world number one...
16:32 FEDERER BREAKS! The Swiss takes advantage and it's 2-0!
16:34 Federer cruising at the moment! A couple of aces send him into a 40-0 lead, before Nadal puts a backhand volley into the tramlines to gift his opponent the game and an easy hold to love. 3-0 Federer..
16:38 Federer pushes Nadal to 30-30 again, but this time the Spaniard comes through it, hitting a big first serve before Federer sends a forehand long. 3-1...
16:42 Federer giving Nadal an absolute lesson at the moment. The Swiss play a beautiful drop shot before sending the ball back over the Spaniard's head when Nadal manages to get it back. 4-1 and Nadal is struggling...
16:44 The stats tell the story at the moment: Federer has won 88% of points on his first serve, while Nadal has only been successful on just 44%!!
16:46 A much-improved game from Nadal, who hits more first serves in to hold to 15 and reduce arrears to 4-2...
16:47 Federer BLASTS his way to a love hold, including a 200kph ace to soar into a 5-2 lead...
16:50 Federer PUNISHING Nadal at the moment...a POUNDING forehand down the line puts him two points away from the first set at 0-30...
16:51 Federer storms into the net, nailing a forehand volley to bring up THREE SET POINTS...
16:52 FIRST SET TO FEDERER! The Swiss completes the first-set rout with a beautiful backhand smash that Nadal can only hit into the net. This one could be over very soon indeed if Nadal doesn't raise his game SHARPISH!
16:58 Federer in the zone at the moment...the Swiss playing almost faultless tennis, as he holds comfortably to move into a 1-0 lead..
17:00 At 0-30 down, Nadal digs deep, forcing a baseline rally with Federer, who hits two uncharacteristic forehand errors to allow the Spaniard back into the game. Nadal then serves it out - to the delight of the crowd - to keep his hopes alive...1-1..
17:05 Nadal rides his luck early on - an attempted forehand pass hitting the net and bouncing up over Federer's outstretched racquet - to move into a lead...but Federer keeps his cool, holding out to 30 to move into a 2-1 lead..
17:09 INSPIRATIONAL FROM NADAL! The Spaniard produces his best game yet, capping it off with an unbelievable pick-up drop shot to hold to 15 and level things at 2-2...
17:11 NADAL ON FIRE! The Mallorcan UNLEASHES a forehand that Federer can only dolly into the net..FIRST BREAK POINT OF THE MATCH FOR NADAL...
17:14 But Federer comes through, hitting the lines twice to hold and move 3-2 ahead..
17:16 Nadal POWERS his way to a love hold to level things up at 3-3...
17:20 Federer just TOO GOOD! Nadal hitting attempted passing shots from all angles, but the Swiss reading the shots unbelievably well. A hold to love and Federer 4-3 up....
17:26 Nadal's supporters living every single point at the moment...the Spaniard is pulling the shots out when he needs them! 4-4 as the President of Angola watches on!
17:27 Another opportunity for Nadal...a backhanded pass is netted by Federer and it's 0-30 on the Swiss' serve!
17:28 NADAL PUMPS HIS FIST! An easy putaway from the Spaniard after Federer half-gets another ripping backhand pass and it's THREE BREAK POINTS...
17:29 NADAL BREAKS!! Yet again, the Spaniard outdoes Federer with a passing shot, sending the Swiss the wrong way to move into a 5-4 lead and on the verge of taking this into a deciding third set!
17:32 NADAL absolutely storming....a BIG forehand winner brings up THREE SET POINTS...
17:35 SECOND SET TO NADAL! Federer saves the first two set points, only to hit a forehand volley long! One set all and all to play for in the final set!!
17:39 FEDERER RATTLED! The Swiss hits two unforced errors and Nadal has been GIFTED TWO BREAK POINTS...
17:40 NADAL BREAKS! Federer saves the first with an ace down the middle, but a whipped forehand pass from the Spaniard secures the first game of the final set!! 1-0 Nadal WITH BREAK...4 games in a row and Nadal is in the box seat!!
17:47 FIVE GAMES IN A ROW! Federer manages to battle to deuce, but Nadal is just TOO HOT at the moment...a whipped forehand winner from the Spaniard and it's 2-0!
17:49 Federer stops the rot with a hold to love...2-1 now..final set!
17:54 FEDERER BREAKS!! A RASPING forehand from Federer forces the netted reply from Nadal...ALL EVEN NOW...back on serve at 2-2!
17:54 FEDERER FIGHTING! The Swiss produces an unforced error from Nadal and it's BREAK POINT...
17:56 Three games in a row for Federer now, who holds to love to move into a 3-2 lead!!
18:01 Nadal holds to 15, levelling things up at 3-3!
18:04 UNBELIEVABLE FROM FEDERER! An extraordinary rally comes to an end when Federer hits a stunning backhand pass onto the line, with Nadal stranded at the net. Hold to love and Federer moves ahead again...4-3..
18:09 After winning the opening point, Federer surrenders the advantage with too many unforced errors. The world number one puts another forehand long and Nadal levels things at 4-4!
18:11 A forehand goes long from Federer and Nadal has an opening at 15-30 on his opponent's serve!!...
18:12 Nadal tries a moonball, which lands JUST wide...30-30...but the Spaniard is ontop of a short second serve from Federer, slamming it down the line to bring up a BREAK POINT...
18:13 NADAL BREAKS!!! Federer hits a HORRIFIC forehand long and the Spaniard will serve for the title at 5-4!!
18:15 First serve in...Federer returns wide...15-0 Nadal..Nadal with the overhead smash...30-0...TWO POINTS AWAY FROM THE TITLE..
18:17 NADAL HAS DONE IT!! Federer hits a backhand wide and Nadal falls to the floor, ending Federer's reign in Dubai!!
18:17 Nadal hits a forehand pass...off the top of the net...ON THE LINE...Federer gets there...hits a backhand return..off the net...OUT...HOW UNLUCKY...THREE MATCH POINTS FOR NADAL...
18:19 Just under two hours of three thrilling sets, Nadal running out a 2-6 6-4 6-4 winner. That's all for now! Until next time, goodbye!!

[Tish]

Reuters - & JM 04/03/06




RE-LIVE: Nadal v Federer - Dubai FinalRafael Nadal claimed a thrilling three-set victory over defending champion Roger Federer to win the Dubai Open title on Saturday. The Spaniard came back from a set down to complete a 2-6 6-4 6-4 victory over the world number one, ending Federer's unbeaten record in 2006.

The win enabled Nadal - playing in only his fifth match since recovering from a long-term foot injury - to improve his win-loss record against Federer to 3-1.

The 19-year-old was able to turn the match in his favour after Federer almost totally dominated the opening set.

Federer, seeking to win four titles at one event for the first time in his career, gave up only two points on serve as he broke to lead 2-0 with a forehand winner and won the final eight points of the set, closing it out with a spectacular over the shoulder backhand that forced an error from his opponent.

The Swiss was able to take control by mixing the pace well, often coming to the net and not letting Nadal settle.

In the second set, Federer led 1-0 and held 30-0 on Nadal's serve, but the Spaniard pulled himself out of a potentially difficult situation.

And as Federer's level inevitably dropped a little, Nadal became more aggressive and eventually managed to make an impact.

Nadal earned a break point to lead 3-2 but was too eager and netted his return, but his big forehand kept him in contention and he broke Federer to love to lead 5-4.

In the third set, Federer hit two aces but still dropped the opening service game when Nadal hit a powerful crosscourt forehand.



Although Federer levelled at 2-2 by hitting a forehand down the line to force a backhand error, Nadal once again broke when it counted most as Federer hit a forehand marginally wide to leave Nadal serving for victory.

[reese]

I really like this pic: Rafa and Richard Gasquet as kids ;D


as teenagers(they still are ;D ;D)


Last year RG:


It´s kind of funny to see how long they are already playing against each other ;D ;D

[ornthree]

CUTE ONE!

[annie]

nice pictures reese...they're both so cute....

and yeah, congrats to Rafa for beating Roger again...."WOW"...that's all i have to say.....

[Annie]

thanks for the pics reese, really sweet and well done Rafa, great succes in Dubai.. welcome back boy ;D ;D ;D ;D

[pau]

Thanks a lot for the pics reese, they're lovely!!!

[sabz]

reese thnx for the pics - they were soo cute when they were little!

[reese]

I´m glad you all like them!
The face from Rafa in first pic
They haven´t really changed from kids to now (yeah the height ;D).. Faces are still the same lol. I really loooove kids pictures ;D ;D

[marats]

Nice pics !

[bia2209]

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - If you've got a big, broad-shouldered left-handed, Spanish-spouting, teenage hunk shadowing you, well, your name must be Roger Federer.

Don't look now, Roger, but you're being stalked by Rafael Nadal, who's admittedly a long way back at No. 2, but who is dedicating his life to making yours miserable, even though you are No. 1.

Putting pressure on Federer
Coming off his 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, victory over Federer in the recent Dubai final, the 19-year-year old Nadal is 3-1 in career meetings with the Swiss master. It appears that this could be the start of a great foe-ship.

Next collision? Maybe the final of the Pacific Life Open that is unfolding here at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden? Could be. They're evil-eyeing each other from opposite ends of the draw, and everybody in town wants them to stage a championship hardcourt duel in the desert on the last Sunday of the tournament, March 19

“Nadal pressures me, no doubt about it,” says Federer. “He moves so well and his forehand is huge. Even on the run he can hit it with spin to the backhand court, moving it away from me. And being left-handed makes everything different.”

So far, so good for Nadal
The spectacular rising star, Nadal, who is to celebrate his 20th birthday while defending his French Open title in June, has nearly been unbeaten against Federer. Federer's lone victory over Nadal was in the final of the Nasdaq-100 at Key Biscayne, Fla., a year ago.

Nadal leaped to a two-set, 4-1 lead, and was two points from victory, but couldn't hold off a frantic, but effective Federer, 2-6, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 6-1.

Happy Birthday to me was Nadal's theme in Paris where he celebrated his 19th by spilling Federer in last year's French Open semifinals, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. That was prior to bouncing Argentine Mariano Puerta for the title, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-1, 7-5.

Hardcourts to his liking
Andy Roddick, a slipping No. 3, may have been eclipsed for good by Federer and Nadal, who have risen above the American.

Roddick who was ranked No. 1 in 2003, says, “Nadal isn't just a typical clay-court, baselining guy. He hits harder than the other clay courters, and he has shown at Key Biscayne and Dubai that he can handle hardcourts well."

“Sure I like the hard courts,” says Nadal, who at Indian Wells is playing only his third tournament of the year. A foot injury kept him out of last year's Masters, and this year's Australian Open.

“It's better. No pain. I feel good now, " Nadal said.

As for his win over Federer in Dubai, Nadal calls it, “unbelievable."

Said Nadal, “Only my second tournament. I lose first set. It's 1-0, 30-0 in second. I win that game, and I say to myself I can win this set. I don't know why. Roger's not so good in the third, and I have confidence. I don't know why,” he grins and shakes his head as the dark hair flaps and he struggles with his English.

No secrets to Nadal's success
So what does Nadal think of all his success over Federer?

“Unbelievable," he said. "I try my 100 percent, but I don't know why I bother him. Ask him. My best weapon? Concentration.

"I have normal forehand, normal backhand, serve a little better this year, but I need more matches. I have no chance to catch Roger this year.

"You know the most important factor? He's better than me. One of the best in history.”

Federer appears to have the better chance to make the Indian Wells final. His upper half of the draw is fairly barren while Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Fernando Gonzalez and Marcos Baghdatis all lurk in the bottom half with Nadal.

Good natured as ever, obviously enjoying himself, Nadal is tickled to have just obtained his first driver's license.

Look out, Roger, Raffy may not know how to use the brakes.

[bia2209]

this is a bud collins article from msnbc.com

[marats]

Rafael wins vs M. Fish: 6/1 , 6/4

Congrats !

[Annie]

LOL Bia after I read it, I was gonna ask whether it was Bud's work ... then I saw that it is indeed ;D