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!

True Woofs...what makes me laugh is that they get paid for this drivel...

I'm in fact going to offer a third factor in the turnaround Denz, court conditions. It's getting towards evening in France and the court seems to have slowed a little, which is giving Rafa that little bit of extra time on the ball. Important hold for Isner that, Rafa will be disappointed as he missed a fairly easy pass at 30-30

In that case Mad....I reckon Rafa's matches should be played not before 8pm

Rafa forces the mistake from Isner. 15-0

Wooooo ... Rafa dtl off the top of the net goes wide. poo 15-15

Rafa shot out ... 15-30

<clunk click>

OH MY WORD!! Amazing cross court by Rafa. Brave. 30-30

Gfreat serve by Rafa. 40-30

EXCELLENT ... Good hold by Rafa.

Rafa running everything down and nearly made a cross court pass, but its 15-0

Yes, Andrew Castle is definitely Mr Bandwagon. During the 2008 Wimbledon final, he was constantly jumping from one side of the fence to the other.

Keep going, Rafa. Please remember I don't get there until Saturday.

OK ... decent hold by Isner.

Keep it going Rafa........

Fool idiot Castle just admitted he forgot Rafa's 2 x 5 setters a Wimbers last year.

See you idiot, it happens!!!

Rafa left himself open for pass so its 15-15.

I didn't like that.

Nadal's length has been terrible this clay court season.

He hooks a forehand whilst in the court for winner. 30-15.

Great serve. VAMOS. 40-15

Great swirly second serve gives Rafa the game. 5-3

COME ONNNNNNNN

Easy enough for Rafa now, I think Isner's run out of steam a bit.

oh Rafa!! too eager

Rafa misses a sitter !!!

He wants this done!!

if you want to see what a REAL moonball looks like...





Watch the Baltacha match, she's quite good at them

Sonic, you're right about the length and he admits it himself, but I don't know what the answer is.

Oh boy MP Rafa!

RAFA HAS MATCH POINT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nope....not yet

well saved sir, good guts

MFC, you're way too balanced for this thread, I think.

so sue me

Poor shot in net to give Isner game point.

Isner holds...so it's up to Rafa now....<clunk click>

Come on boy.

Rafa will have to serve for it.

Everything sweating and I can't breathe ....

Group Rafateers ... squeeze in MFC.

AFCWomble42 wrote:Sonic, you're right about the length and he admits it himself, but I don't know what the answer is.

He's gotta take his backhand on more.

Due to the shortage of length in his forehand, he's a sitting duck when he runs round his backhand!

Oh daft Mexican wave now

Stupid bl dy French crowd doing the wave and obviously wont stop even though Rafa wants to serve.

oh now we have a mexican wave

<holdshands>

oh fabulous Rafa! 1

Rafa battering him in a rally ... he makes it. Too nervy!!!

The backhand is the barometer of Rafa's game, I think. When he's really on form (Wimbledon 2008, AO 2009), it works like a dream.

misses the next

Rafa hits a down the line out as Isner rushes the net. 15-15

Isner nets....2

Rafa hits out

AFCWomble42 wrote:The backhand is the barometer of Rafa's game, I think. When he's really on form (Wimbledon 2008, AO 2009), it works like a dream.

Totally disagree.

He seems obsessed with trying to blast his forehand, he's almost forgotten how great his backhand is!

His backhand is flatter and arguably his better groundshot.

BRILLIANT RALLY!!!!

Its match point and that is more important now.

COME ON RAFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Nerves nerves everywhere......

Rafa's 1st serve gone missing

oh boy....just the most exhausting rally....3....and MP

Has he won yet? The screen seems stuck? Or is he taking 30 seconds in between serves

I am so at work I can barely focusssssss

I LOVE HIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Rafa jumps on court ... punches the air.

HE DID IT HE DID IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The King marches on(well not exactly marches but who cares??)

Breathe girls....He's done it....and a huge leap in the air from Rafa...a big Vamos from Uncle T...