Rafatennis Part II - Roland Garros 22 May - 5 June 2011

First topic message reminder :

So here we are then folks...the second slam of the year, with so much riding on it.

Will Novak get that No 1 that he so craves? Will Rafa get title No 6 to equal Bjorn Borg's records? Will Roger step back up and prove a threat and will Murray follow up his good form on the clay of Monte Carlo and Rome with a good run here?

The draw is out and Rafa faces John Isner in Round 1. Robin Soderling is in Rafa's quarter and Andy Murray in the same half.

Rafa has been in Paris for a couple of days already on the promotion trail with appearances at Armani and the Nike store. He's also been at the tournament site practising with Gilles Simon.

Good luck Rafa and vamos!

Oh ... that's fine that you will always support Andy above others, MAD. We need an injection of testosterone in here once in a while for a chat

But watch that Denzy ... <taps nose>

Well done Rafa

Sounds like another good performance, is he finding his feet of clay?

Ah well, I'm afraid I must be off, work to do and all that... Was nice chatting to you, I should be back tomorrow for the semi-finals

Bye MFC ... <waves>

Latahs MFC

Good evening Rafateers

Rafa is the first semi-final tomorrow - not before 1 pm our time. I am working in the morning (bit of pocket money for our Wimbers trip) so will miss it . Hope he can deal with Gasquet the same as he did in MC! Is it right that Gasquet was 0-8 vs Feds before yesterday and that he's currently 0-8 vs Rafa? Coincidence, noh?

Rafa definitely seemed happier in his presser and said the legs were working too. Good new!

I want to watch the footie!! AND Rafa ... !!

Good morning Rafateers from a deserted office in London.

Wooffs, Rafa needs you more than you United - they've got it in the bag! Plus...I need updates if (when) I leave the office

Vamos Rafa - you can DO it!

Morning Rafan

Poor you having to work today Hope Rafa can carry over his form from yesterday. Glad Xisca has joined him (didn't she look lovely yesterday). She must never miss a match again, he needs her methinks.

Good luck Rafa.

Morning Rafateers!!

Rafan Cats

I can't not flick to the footie, Rafan. Especially when "he-who-shall-not-be-named" was a Blackburn season ticket holder and my team need a point to win there. <devil>

Indeed Xisca looked absolutely lovely yesterday, and I don't know if you're all following Guiletta's blog on VB, but she's working behind the scenes at Rome and is sending some lovely updates. This is a snippet, but check her blog out ...

After the conference, Rafa joined his family and that was a nice moment to witness: he was playing around with his cousins, and was very sweet with Xisca. I have to say, she's beautiful and quiet, doesn't like to draw attention on her (not like other players' gfs), and with Rafa they make an adorable couple.

Bless And have you seen Rafa's FB pics of him shopping in Armani. I think he looks gorrrrrrrrrrrrrgeous.

Just finished watching Rafa's match from yesterday, although I obviously only set the time to catch the second set. That boy wants to win this tournament to dedicate it to Seve. I swear it ...

Morning rafa fans How is everyone?

I take it you'll all be cheering on my boy this evening? Tasty looking semis I must say, nice to see Gasquet playing some good tennis again, such a beautiful backhand!

Its our lucky charm, MFC!!

Yes ... we will be cheering on your boy tonight. Bit of a breakdown from <Dimples> last night just because he couldn't take those break points. I'm struggling to remember the last time they played.

Andy and Novak that is.

Erm AO final woofs?

... and triple ...

Good afternoon all my luvverly Rafateers

I see Woofs is on the ball again

to MFC....of course we will be cheering your boy tonight

Rafan ...just cos I can

Sorry Cats.... for you as well


In fact collective group for us and Rafa's family, who have to suffer like we do

Hello lovely Denzy!!

Yes ... I am being fick today ...

But I am wearing my "Rafateers Do Roma" t-shirt.

Ah well woofs, happens to the best of us Anyway, going to eat lunch in a few minutes so will miss the start of Rafa probably. Catch you all later.

Hi Rafateers,
Sitting in hairdressers. Looks like not getting takem om time - AGAIN. Normally not a prob, but missing RAFA!!
Not happy!

Gasquet sure can find some remarkable angles on that backhand. Holds comfortably for 3-2.

Rafateers

Half time in the footie, so now full on tennis watching. Been flicking on the match though, so I'm a bit

So for those of you at work and those in the hairdressers ...

Rafa a bit of a mixture of great play and loose shots. Not quite finding his range or rhythm, but his game face seems on and body language good. Reeshard making a good effort though.

Reeshard having a great game so far ...

Break points!!

Rafa in the court to save one by burying a forehand ...
Great second serve for second to be saved, Reeshard waaaay out of court ...
Beautiful net play from Rafa with lovely angled volley ...

VAMOS ...

Serve ... straight into the court and a volley winner. Much better play, Rafa.

Reeshard playing the drop shot well. Either getting Rafa outright or bringing him in and passing him.

How long has Rafa known Reshaard?? And yet he called him Gasket in an interview?

Drop shot wins him the game again ...

I'm not feeling sick to my tummy ... but Reshaard is playing Rafa well.

Reeshar seems to be racing through his own service games

Second half has started ....

Gasquet really is playing some lovely stuff out there at the moment, he's got Nadal scrambling around a bit, and his shot selection has been very good. He needs to start taking his chances on the Rafa serve though.

Rafa needs to target the forehand more I think

Better service game from Rafa.

I agree, MFC, Reeshard has a game plan and is using it effectively, but ... can he keep it going.

For me, positive play by Rafa. None of this hiding at the back of the court stuff. He just needs to find a little bit more consistency.

Well Reeshard played a couple of clunkers in that but some lovely other stuff to win the game.

Erm ... got a few nerves now.

Reeshard playing very very well.....Rafa needs to keep away from that B/H!....but what is making me <vomit> is the glee in the commies voices that Reeshar is playing well...not a word about Rafa!

Reeshard it trying to attack everything short. Rafa coping though.

He's attacking that backhand but got passed by a lovely hit from Reeshard. Rafa 2nd serve right on the T with a bit curve, Reeshard in net so its 5-5.

Hello lovely Denz

Hello lovely Woofs...even Uncle T looks animated today

Break points Rafa ... COME ONNNNNN !!!

Fabulous return cross court gets it!!!!!

ooh 2 BP...come on Rafa!!!!!!

Woo Hoo Rafa....that's the way to do it

Rafa breaks, his punishing groundstrokes begin to take their toll on Gasquet. It's actually a really pleasant match to watch this.

That really came out of nowhere.....it's been nip/tuck all set...then Rafa just turned it on.....and no mistake

ACE!!

This is a tight game.

Dammmmmmnnnnnnnnnnn Reeshard taking it to Rafa for a break point

Focusss Rafa!!

Rafa a bit too far back in this game.....attack Rafa...attack!!!

Great Serve!!

Xisca looks lovely again.

I'm just ready to go and thought I could leave with the set in the bag but no, there's yet more tension...

<drumsfingers>

Denzy - I'm going to go via WHS at Victoria - if I should happen to spot Italian GQ do you want a copy? I won't ask Wooffs, she doesn't appreciate Rafamags

Phew...smart serve

phew!!! how scary was that!!!!!

TREMENDOUS TENNIS THERE!!

Rafa wins it by a beautiful forehand down the line!!!

SETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT !!!

Great display by Rafa.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Set Rafa

Rafa takes the set. Great set of tennis I thought, the only difference between the two (as so often with Nadal) being that Rafa took his chances while Gasquet didn't...

Oh marvellous!

I'm leaving the office now - Wooffs, do you mind keeping me up-to-date with any significant happenings (breaks of serve etc)? I would be forever in your debt

Denzy, if you'd like Italian GQ just text me

Latah Lovahs!

Rafan No thanks hon...I'll pass on this one. I've been sorting out a drawer in my bookcase and have just found out how many Rafa pics I have!!!!

I'm making tea...I need a drink!

Lovely Mo