Rafatennis - Rome Masters 1000 - 8-15 May 2011

First topic message reminder :

"Obviously I didn't play at my best. I didn't play badly, just normal. But that is not enough against Djokovic." That's the true Rafa! Well, one of them had to lose their streak and it wasn't third time lucky for Rafa against Djokovic.

With a quick turnaround, we are straight off to Rome, with Rafa in a battle to keep his No 1 ranking and take it into the French. The tournament has already started and the draw could prove tough for him, depending on whether potential opponents can take their good form from Madrid onto Rome.

Rafa's first match will be on Wednesday.

Good luck Rafa - dust yourself down and come roaring back. Vamos!

Sos ... I mean

Having a little chat with Daveed now....shame I can't understand a word

looks like the build up is about to begin...obviously talking about Rafa....and the lights have dimmed.....here we go....music building up, spotlights and the announcer is here and so is RAFA!!!!!!! Huge cheer and the usual wave from our boy.

Rafa in team colours...comes onto Black eyed peas, going through his usual ritual, can hardly see him it's so dark in the stadium. He looks very relaxed, smiling at all the ball kids and everyone around him.

Huge Rafaleap into the middle of the court...Rafa run and he's so thrilled to be there...it's obvious to see....welcome back lovely boy

ooh fab...I've found british commentary....that makes life a bit easier

The 'Might of Majorca' is what they've just called him!

Welcome back Rafa!!!!!

Yippeeeeeee I love it when Rafa's hcappy to be here

Come on Rafa, you can DO it!

Righto Rafateers ...

I am outta here ... will join you when I get home.

Goooooo RAAAAAAAAFFFFFFFFFFFFAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Here we go

Bemelmans to serve

ace...15-0

and a volley 30-0

bemel hits wide..30-15...good little rally

bemel nets..30 all

and bemel comes to the net for the put away..40-30

bemel hits wild...deuce...Rafa just feeling his way in here

but bemel hits into the corner..ad

and puts away...game Belgium.

Rafa serves

Rafa's had his first marriage proposal of the day!

Good shot onto the line..15-0

rafa nets off a good belm return..15 all

huge f/h down the line from Rafa..30-15

ace...challenge from belm.....in!...40-15

and again!...game Rafa..1 all

Belm serves

and nets off a heavy Rafa shot..0-15

belm hits out..0-30

and out again..0-40

Rafa hits out on a great first serve...15-40 and I've lost my picture due to copyright...

Right am back now...Rafa obviously broke and is now deuce on his serve...god knows what has happened here.

Belm nets so it's Ad Rafa

and big ace from rafa...game Spain 3-1

ok here we go again....bel is now 30-15 and I've lost english commentary

Rafa misses 30 all

bel nets...30-40

ace from Bel...deuce

and he nets...ad rafa

Shot from bel was over the line...4-1 Spain

apologies if I'm not spelling his name right...I know how imortant it is to everyone Playing Viva Espana...ole!!

Rafa serves

bel hits long..15-0

ace!.. 30-0

big hitting from Rafa...40-0 down the line!

and a lovely one two from Rafa...game Spain...5-1

Bel serves

Rafa hits out on a moonball lob..15-0

and hits long again...30-0

hits out..40-0

ace from bel...game belgium..5-2

Rafa serves

Belm hits long..15-0

Rafa has bits of towel stuck to his chin

lovely pass at the net by Rafa..30-0

Bel nets...40-0

bel hits out on a volley...game and 1st set Spain 6-2

Found a feed and just watched lovely boy take the first set with ease.

Will somebody please tell my dogs there is Rafa tennis on and to stop staring at me for their walk

Well I'll shortly be leaving work to start my two hour trek home, so no live Rafa for me today - I'll have to wait until Indian Wells starts for that pleasure.

Catch up with you all over the weekend sometime

Vamos Espana!

Nando is getting almost as much screen time as Rafa!

Safe journey home Rafan

woo hoo shirt change

2nd set...Belm serves

nets...0-15

and nets again on some good Rafa groundies

oh yes Rafa...he's into his stride now...0-40

belms hits wide...game Rafa..1-0

Rafa serves

oooh lovely drop shot at the net....almost a volley, right off his shoelaces..15-0

Ace!..30-0

and a huge mid court f/h...40-0

ace...but it looked wide...challenge...yes out.

rafa get a net cord and wins the point...game Rafa ...2-0

Belm serves

Hits a good f/h..15-0

and Rafa hits out..30-0

D/F..30-15

Rafa hits long on a good serve...40-15

Rafa hits out...game belm..2-1

rafa lost his concentration there....but to be expected, we know what he's like

Hi Cats

Rafa serves...belm hits out...15-0

um I don't need to do this now do I??? Cats...you're watching, the Dame is joining us soon and Rafa has left for home

Wooo hooo <waves>

Had to take the dogs and I missed the shirt change Denz, kick back and enjoy the tennis.

Yay. Wooffs is here. Rafan

Lovely Denzy lovely Cats

At least I get to watch a set. Vamos Rafa!!

Yoo hoo Woofs Yoo Hoo cats

Oh well no big surprises so far...let's hope it continues

Good to see him looking healthy and fit. I know he's not playing one of the top guys (no disrespect to his opponent) but he's looking pretty sharp. Would you agree Denz?

Defo Cats....doing enough to win without getting into first gear. Gives him a good workout which is what he needs.

We need a :yikes: smiiey! Did I just jinx him? Nah!

Although if he really wants to improve his game, he really should play more challengers

<cheeky> Denz.

Which stream are you guys watching on? I'm on Fromsport and its driving me potty.

I think this smiley is <yikes> Cats.

He's going to be with himself missing those break points.

Wooffs, I'm on there as well and it's working fine (well after I got rid of the advert that was over the screen for the first 5 mins I started watching.

Hmmm doesn't quite convey the usual level of yikes that we reach.

I'm on Fromsport Woofs and it's fine now. A few holes in Rafa's game but tat's to be expected and he looks so happy....oh he's so sweet

Its just sticking and I'm finding it hard to watch. Bert's not showing this.

Dare we ask the mods for yet ANOTHER smiley??

I asked for <bubbly> before and now its <yikes>

:run2:

You mean it wasn't you that asked for ?

You have to pay for Bert as well now. My british stream kept sticking, but the spanish one is ok

Nice one Cats

No! I did NOT ask for

<huffs off>

Well ... I barely got to watch that but its good see Rafa back on court.

Yey to Team Espana !!

Well done Rafa and well done Nando.

Must go now girls ... things to do. How great is it to have our boy back?

Rafa speaking VERY fast ...

All played in a very nice spirit today...lovely to see. Rafa has the most expressive eyebrows I have ever seen. I love his face...it's always changing and so open

Byeee for now lovely Cats and lovely Denz

But... no shirt change at the end

Must go aswell

Ok lovelies...will speak soon may be around tomorrow, but am out on Sunday...Dog Show and to see a litter of Puppies!

Just thought I'd <link> some photos from today along with a vid of the last point and Rafa's interview ...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BIUbSdZ0NA/TXFe8TH6mTI/AAAAAAAAC6E/7Aa41Skr0oE/s1600/March%2B4%2B2011%2B-%2B4.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCOjXABiNmg/TXFe8SXYTQI/AAAAAAAAC58/nwEvk5D_Idg/s1600/March%2B4%2B2011%2B-%2B2.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bHa-4cx93F0/TXFe8O46LNI/AAAAAAAAC50/ejtykx4OGvc/s1600/March%2B4%2B2011%2B-%2B3.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz3ZhyFrVzM&feature=player_embedded

You buying another pup Denz? <envy>

Just had a quick scout around the usual sites - lots of nice pictures of the match today, plus a clip of the final point and an interview (in Spanish) with Rafa. But then reading some of the comments on NN I got nervous because somebody said Rafa "touched his tummy" 4 times in one set and was looking grumpy. Don't break the ab Rafi! Haven't seen anything else about it elsewhere. Hopefully it's just paranoia.

So...if FeliFer win tomorrow, Sunday's rubber will be a dead one - will Rafa still play Malisse? Now they've changed the rules they only need to play one dead rubber rather than them both (I think), but I may have that wrong.

Well done to Juan Monaco, one of Rafa's buddies, who also won his DC tie today. Vamos Pico!

And while I was yacking on lovely Wooffs posted said pictures and clip. Thank you Wooffs

Rafan ... I didn't read those comments about the Rafatum. Oh <yikes> That's what happend when he came back from injury before and he ended up "breaking" his abdominal. He must have done it in the match because all pressers were positive.

I'm not sure now about the rule change and how they decide who will play if Espana win tomorrow. But with Daveed tweaking a nerve and Nando playing the doubles, is it fair to then get him to play in singles if Rafa isn't 100% And another question ... is Tommy there as a singles reserve??

<clunk> <cllick> in that Rafarollercoaster again ...

That's what I was thinking Wooffs...he broke the ab when he came back after his 2009 lay-off - that's when he was hit off the court by Delpo at USO.

Anyway, hopefully it was nothing, and just nerves on the part of Rafafans who are pleased to have him back <yikes>. He seemed happy enough when he was doing his on court interview, and won the third fairly easy, judging by the score.

I don't want to get on the Rafacoaster just yet I want to just go round in the teacups

Oh Rafan ... you are soooooooooo funny.

That's what it must feel like being a Feds fan ... <twirling in the teacups>

Rafa English interview

http://www.daviscup.com/media/47240/47240.MP3

No mention of tummy <trubble>, though he said his legs stopped a little bit after the first set and break but finished the match well.

Get those matches under your belt Rafa...the season's about to start

Good find Rafan

Rafa sounded OK to me. Funny how the interviewer commented that the Belgian crowd were supporting him as much as their own player.

Rafa sounded fine ... so I'll stop worrying ....

... or will I???

Rafateers

A vid clip of Rafa's match yesterday ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-S_sTsozbrQ

And a clip of how Spanish TV reported yesteday's events. I love the shots of Rafa & Feli cheering Fer on, and the embrace from Feli when Fer won. Spanish Bromance at its very best ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7xM4JXazpWc

Afternoon all lovely Rafateers!!!

Been to the hairdressers, so I'm looking gorgeous again, then did the shopping and have come home to indulge in the guilty pleasure that is FeliFer.

Came in to see Fer serving to level the first set at 6-6, from which FeliFer went on to romp away with the TB 7-0. Fer lost his serve at the beginning of the 2nd, but the boys broke straight back. Games then on serve, but Fer has just had an almighty battle to hold serve for Spain to lead 5-4.

Fantastic aggressive playing by the boys means they break to love to take the second set.

Well done FeliFer in taking the match 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 to take Spain easily through to the next round.

FeliFer raced to a 4-0 lead in the third, but the Belgians then started to relax and enjoy themselves which resulted in a break back, but Feli stood firm to serve it out to take the victory.

Cue the obligatory man-hug, and what looked like a cheeky little kiss from Feli.

Rafa and Nando had a little cuddle and some manly staring at each other in each celebration.

So congratulations to Spain!! <applause>

I don't know yet about the OOP tomorrow and if Rafa is going to get on. Keep posted ...

Well ... the order of play was decided a couple of days ago and Rafa was scheduled up first in the reverse singles against Malisse. Now then, Spain won the tie today and there have been new changes to the rules on 'dead rubbers' as described in this <link> from the ATP ...

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2011/3/9/Davis-Cup-Dead-Rubber-Policy.aspx

So in short, if one team wins the tie on Saturday 3-0, both remaining singles are played.

If one team wins 3-1 after the first reverse singles, and that was done in 3 sets, than the final singles tie is played.

If one team wins 3-1 after the first reverse singles and that was done in either 4 or 5 sets, then the final singles tie is NOT played, unless the teams decide that they want to.

Soooooooo ... Spain will have to play both singles tomorrow. Although we were discussing the Rafatum last night, I've not found anything today to say there is an injury, so I'm pretty sure that Rafa will play as I think he will see it of some benefit to get match time under his belt, as he was pretty rusty yesterday.

Phew .....

So .... for Rafa!!!

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UPDATE

Saw this on VB ..

The belgian commentators of the rtbf tv have made an interview of TONI NADAL and TONI said that RAFA will 100% play sunday..



See you at 1.30 our time Rafateers!!