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!

Well done Rafa !!! Keep going!!

second set....

Sod to serve

Rafa hits wide..15-0

F/h from Sod..30-0

Sod thumps one into the net..30-15

D/F...30 all

Rafa floats a ball long..40-30

and Hits another f/h..game sod..1-0

Rafa serves

Big f/h down the line from Sod..0-15

and a big serve from Rafa..15 all

Sod playing well inside the court...15-30

and Rafa hits off the let cord..sod says it's out...but umpire says it's in...and it did look in...yes it's in...smack on the line..30 all...sod a cheating swine

but sod hits out on a cracking b/h c/c from Rafa...40-30

ooh a wonderful pass from Rafa...game Rafa 1 all

Sod serves

and he hits out on his b/h....0-15

ooh...just missed the line from Rafa...15 all...and he's mad!!

wonderful down the line from Rafa and come into the net for the kill..15-30

nets the next one..30 all

oh yes...Rafa hits big big f/h...big fist pump....30-40

sod hits wide.....great defence from Rafa...2-1 and a big fist pump and look at Toni

Rafa looking much better today; seems to be growing in confidence, and hitting a lot less errors. Sod not at his best, admittedly.

Murray Match is better

Rafa serves

Andy wins set 7-6

missed 1st point but it's 15-0 Rafa

Sod nets...30-0

and again..off of good length from Rafa....40-0

Rafa hits long..40-15

and a big serve...game Rafa...3-1

Sod serves

and he tries coming to the net...but nets that..0-15

oh a beautiful down the line from Rafa....0-30

and sod nets a b/h..0-40

Rafa hits long...but it was a good fault...really going for depth..15-40

sod hits b/h down the line...out game Rafa 4-1

Rafa serves

Sod hits long..0-15

Rafa nets..15 all

Crowd very quiet....and I can't hear Womble!!!

Ace!..30-15

Sod hits long...40-15

and hits wide...game Rafa...5-1

Sod serves

big serve...15-0

and sod hits long..15 all

fab c/c from Rafa...15-30

and again from Rafa..this time at the net....15-40

Rafa hits long...a bit keen there!! 30-40

and Sod nets....set Rafa...6-1

tea for me!

Please keep it going Rafa ... do your best !!!!

Rafa serves

so far he's 15-0

but sod his a big b/h...15 all

ooh my stream keeps sticking

Rafa his big serve...30-15

keep concentrating Rafa!!!!

Rafa hits out off good sod depth..30 all...look like sod's trying something different

Rafa on the backfoot...sod threw everything at him and he won the point did Rafa...40-30.

Sod misses...game Rafa 1-0

Sod serves

he nets..0-15

but hits a winner...15 all

Sorry if it's a bit patchy but my stream sticks and I can't see the picture




Missed 2 shots but it's 30 all

hits out....30-40

hits a wild shot....game Rafa....2-0

Rafa serves

hits long..0-15

Old man Nastase is in

Rafa misses his next shot..0-30.....keep thinking honey

but hits a fab b/h right into the corner...15-30

Rafa nets....15-40....come on sweetie....Sod hitting better here

Sod nets..30-40...come on Rafa!!

typical Rafa match this...he's just dropped a bit....fault...overrule

and sod breaks...2-1

but don't panic Rafateers...just a dip in the Rafa game

<finding it hard to breathe>

Keep going Rafa!!!

Good job Denz

Someone holding up a banner saying Rafa kiss me por favour...hope it wasn't womble

Right...Sod serves

and it's 30-15 to him

Rafa hits long..40-15

better hitting by sod here....and Rafa has just dipped a bit


Rafa hits out...game sod..2 all

Come on Rafa!!

Rafa serves

Sod misses b/h..15-0

Sod nets..30-0

and again..40-0

big f/h down the line from sod..40-15

but he hits wild...game Rafa...3-2

A quick pop in before I go home - I'll read your commentary later Denzy thanks for doing it - too obvious to read it at work when you sit open plan

I've been watching livescores though.

Come on Rafa - feel the fuego!

Woofs

keep breathing

Sod serves

Rafa just misses..0-15

and nets..30-0

Rafa just gone off the boil a bit

D/F 30-15

Rafa hits into an open court..30 all

Sod hits long and wide...30-40

Rafa return is out....deuce....but on umpire decision

sod hits volley..ad Sod

sod hits f/h ...game 3 all

Right Rafa...now no ******* about

good serve and f/h...15-0

but he hits into the net....15 all...he may be getting a bit tense here!!!!

Rafa nets...he's not getting in enough and letting sod dictate

Now 30 all....cos I couldn't see anything

massive down the line f/h from Rafa...40-30

Sod nets...game Rafa..4-3

Sod serves

Good depth by Rafa and sod has no answer..0-15

but sod lets off an enormous f/h..15 all

Rafa misses a c/c....and he should have won the point..30-15

big serve and f/h from sod...40-15

and Rafa hits out...game sod..4 all

Rafa serves

nicely up the line from Rafa..15-0

Sod misses..30-0

Sod nets off a fabulous rally from both of them....40-0

Rafa hits out off good return from the sod....on a second serve..40-15

Sod nets off a net cord...game Rafa 5-4

COME ON RAFAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sod serves to stay in the match......Come on Rafa!!!!!!

nice little volley from sod..15-0

wooo c/c pass at the net from Rafa..15 all

Rafa nets...30-15

and Sod nets when he had the whole court to hit into....30 all

behind Rafa..40-30

big f/h from the sod...game...5 all

Rafa serves

oh hell Rafa hets off a good sod b/h.....Rafa needs to step this up a bit more

and Rafa nets again off anothe deep sod ball...0-30...Rafa getting tight

talking about these balls again

big serve by Rafa...15-30 and a huge COME ON

oh hell...Rafa misses again and it's 15-40 to the Sod...come on Rafa

sod hits long..30-40

fabulous ace from Rafa...deuce...and he's really pumping himself up

Hell...Rafa misses and it ad Sod

Rafa you are a complete idiot...and the french crowd are all shouting for Robin...twonks

Slice serve from Rafa...sod misses...deuce

come on rafa

sod nets off another good deep serve..ad Rafa

but sod hits a huge f/h at Rafa and he can't control it...deuce and sod is now complaining to umpire that Rafa is too slow....and he misses the next shot....ad Rafa

Rafa hit the most fab deep shot...game Rafa..6-5

Good luck Rafa!!!

VAMOS RAFA!!!!!

Sod serves

Sod hits long...0-15

and hits wide..0-30

Rafa hits long...15-30

big overhead from sod... 30 all

lost stream....but it game to sod..6 all...T/B

Rafa serves

sod hits on the line...0-1

sod serves

Rafa gets a break..2-1 Rafa

Sod hits out 3-1...Rafa

Rafa hits a good shot again..4-1

Sod hits on the line...4-2 Rafa

and a big one two from the sod..4-3 Rafa

Ace from Rafa..5-3

WOW!!! the biggest f/h from Rafa...6-3 and the knee comes up with the fistpump

WOO hoo.....sod misses GSM Rafa

A huge leap in the air and he looks well satisfied!!!!!!!

I feel like crying!! I am soooo happy for him. WELL DONE RAFA !!!!!!!

We are so proud of you!! VAMOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

Cheers for that Denz. Its hard to join in at work, but I'm the only sucker left now.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Brilliant for Wombelle too!!

Rafa v Andy S/F with Rafa the hot favourite but you never know!

Well done to both of them for getting there and may the best man win

Oh me of little faith. That was more like Rafa. I know Sod hit a gazillion UEs but even so Rafa played much better and really looked up for it today.

Did I detect a bit of a half hug at the net?

Great victory for rafa vs the sledgehammer!

Can't see Murray posing to much threat to Rafa, if he plays at the same level he did vs the sledgehammer!

Right...Mr Denz....all dogs and puppies fed

My take on Rafa's match.....He looked more like himself today, body language was much much better, and there was some fire behind the eyes.

As I said earlier, there was a lot of talk about Rafa dropping the tension of his racquet by a kilo, to cope with the balls better, and if it's true then it worked. It was very windy but Rafa hit to good length, and his 1st serve was much much better.

Soderling was very strange today, he came out trying to hit to Rafa's backhand, but kept missing with his own...Rafa did hit a good few today, which was encouraging, but the F/H was what we've come to expect from Rafa, he hit it so well and seemed to feel better out there. The second set, he just raced through and Soderling just collapsed...his body language was woeful and his mind was all over the place, you could just see it.

Third set...well Rafa did get that early break, and did what he usually does, got a bit complacent and let Soderling back in. That gave Sod some confidence and he really began to hit back at Rafa. Happily Rafa had enough fight left in him to finish it in 3 and combined with too many mistakes off of Soderling, meant he didn't have to stay out there for another nerve wracking set

Whatever happens against Andy, I think today would have really boosted Rafa's confidence and hopefully he can now build on this.

Vamos Rafa

Good evening all lovely Rafateers!!

Lovely Denz Thanks for popping back with your little report as I haven't started to read the sites yet and that all sounds so much better.

So if that string adjustment has helped him, maybe for another Slam, finding that little solution could make all the difference. Rafa just has to feel things, and he's such a funny, fastidious creature that the slightest thing out of kilter just does for him.

Eurosport are showing the Murray match and I don't know if any of Rafa's will be shown. But considering I was feeling totally flat this morning and for two pins could have just burst into with it all ... I feel much better now.

I see we now have and Still no bl**dy <bubbly> though.

Evening all

How are you all feeling now?

I haven't seen any of Rafa's match so I have no idea how he played. The stats say he served well, and that Sod had 41 UEs.
Reading back through the thread I see he had his racquet tension adjusted. I've noticed Andy changing racquets a lot during his matches, it's obviously difficult with the changing weather conditions and the different balls.
Andy played well for most of his match today, he's a bit hampered as far as moving to his right is concerned and Chela put up a terrific fight.
It's great to have the top four seeds through to the semifinals.
I am really looking forward to Friday. Andy and Rafa always play great matches.
If Andy were 100% fit I would say he had a good chance after their last meeting at MC, but I think Rafa is the more likely winner.
I don't think Rog can beat Nole.

Evening Amazon

Nice to see you again. I've just been watching Andy's match. He seemed to take longer than Rafa today, and it seemed like a bit of a fight.

Have to say ... Judy looked so very proud and her understated reaction was lovely.

The thing is ... Rafa and Andy always have such competitive matches that they've got to be 100%. We don't know just how this ankle injury is affecting Andy and what Rafa has to be careful of is not letting it get to him. It may actually make Andy try something a little different and a little quicker. But considering the total depths that Rafa has been in, I am just delighted he's made it to the semi's because from now on in ... anything can happen.

Here's hoping for a good match.

Hello from Paris Rafateers (and visitors) and what a very good evening it is. I thought he played great: confident, focused, chasing everything down and lots of passion. I couldn't see from where I was sitting, but I bet he had his game face on.

I don't know if you could tell from the tv coverage, but there was lots of support for Rafa in the stadium - about 60/40 for him, I would have said until the 3rd set when I guess the semi-neutrals swung behind the Sod because they wanted a 4th set. The strangest thing for me was a woman in a Fed cap and shirt, who was jumping up and down and screaming for Rafa almost as much as I was. Maybe she's just a true tennis fan, who appreciates great play wherever it comes from. It did make me feel a little guilty about some of my anti-Fed sentiments in the past.

Rafa made some great gets and the dtl forehand was working like a dream (where has that been for goodness sake ?). I guess the question now is can Rafa play like that for the rest of the tournament ? Andy's game has been in and out and there is obviously the ankle issue, but he always seems to bring his best against Rafa so I'm certainly not counting any chickens about another final appearance at this stage. What we can safely say, though is that Rafa hasn't forgotten how to play and the heart and bravery that first made me a fan are definitely still there.

Travelling back to London tomorrow on the Eurostar so it will be live scores for me on Friday, but the King of Clay is definitely not dead whatever happens for the rest of the tournament. Vamos !!

Oh good evening Womble!!

I cannot tell you how deep I was in the depths of despair this morning as I feared the absolute worst ... and yet here we are now being treated to such positive reports. I could cry at this ...

What we can safely say, though is that Rafa hasn't forgotten how to play and the heart and bravery that first made me a fan are definitely still there.

I've only seen brief highlights on the Mats show and that wonderful forehand shot seemed to be pounding.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, and I am so glad that you got to see and marvel some of the "vintage" Rafa.

VAMOSSSS!!!

Hi Wooffie, Denzie, Womble MFC and all Rafateers

I have now returned from my travels across the pond... I missed the end of Rome Masters though I did discover the result ( ) so disapointed... saw brief glimpses of the first week of FO and again I thought "where is Rafa"... however back in time to see his match yesterday against THE SOD ... oh boy... that made up for it.. some vintage Rafa eh.???. When you have time ladies.. can you fill me in on any news of the boy that I have missed. Good to see you all again.

Good morning Rafateers

Luckily they showed Rafa's match on Eurosport HD which I recorded, so I got to watch it last night. I thought Rafa looked much better, much more positive, more aggressive, more up for it. He was strutting along the baseline like I haven't seen him strut in an age – fabulous to see.

Well done to Wooffs on the Olympic tickets . No such luck for me but I will see if they have anything available in the resales later in the year, even if it's just ground passes. When I did the Wimbledon tour a couple of weekends ago the guide was very enthusiastic about "the party" that the Olympics would bring to Wimbledon. She mentioned that usually the sponsorship logos etc at Wimbledon are very low key, but she said that Macdonalds and Coke will be emblazoned around the ground, and of course the players won't be playing in white. Well, it'll make a change, and personally I think it will be a brilliant event. She also said about how the grass looks worn out after the Wimbledon fortnight, but they ran a test last year and the grass had grown back perfectly two weeks after re-seeding following the final. So all should be well for the start of the Games

I've got tomorrow off, so I'm looking forward to what should hopefully be a great day of tennis, even if it will be a bit . Vamos Rafa!

And welcome back Haddie!

Oh yes, and I forgot to say thanks to Womble for the report

What a great match to see. I noticed even on the TV that there did seem to be more support for Rafa than usual yesterday. Maybe after the way he played prior to that they realised what they'd be missing out on.

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I never try to save something. Never. I always try to do my best. And also, how can I raise my game when I need it? ... Today I was able to improve my game enough to be able to win. Sometimes it's not enough. I don't know if you can practice on that or not. But I believe the best players always are able to do that, because otherwise they wouldn't be the best players.

During the past years, I was among the top players in the world and I was able to do that. I believe one day I won't be able to do it anymore, but today I did it. I'm going to keep going and remain very cool, because what I did is now reach a semifinal in a very important tournament for me and for everybody else, too.

Don't you just love him?? After some honest, but very down beat pressers, Rafa returns with this after his much better display yesterday. There seems to be some talk that Rafa will be on first tomorrow ... so I will have to leave at lunchtime because I couldn't possibly stay at work whilst that is on. What a treat of tennis for tomorrow!!

Welcome back Haddie Hope you had a lovely break.

And I am still about the Olympic tickets. Rafan and I had worked a method for application between us, which I've been lucky with mine, but the upshot is that both of us are off to watch Rafa in the Olympics at Wimbledon. I am beside myself with joy about being able to be part of that spectacle.

Have I rubbed it in enough now?? :huh: Thought so ... I'll <get my coat>

I love that quote about never saving something. In fact it's something that the commentators quite often mention - every point is played like it's the last point of the match.

I am about the Olympics too! Can't wait to see Wimbledon with bright colours! Even though I love the traditional whites. It will be such a different event.

I hope Rafa is on first. I was reading on VB that it would be awful for Rafa to be second on, with the potential of having just lost his No 1 ranking to Djokovic - would it spur him on or deflate him? I don't know...but I think that if he had already got through to the final <prays> that would be enough to see him through the disappointment of losing the No 1 ranking - if it happens...

Vamos!

Evening everyone

Mr C is out tonight and I have a rare opportunity to come out to play in the evening and there's nobody around

Rafan, I never thought about it until I read your post about Rafa playing second and by then knowing whether he had lost his no. 1 ranking Although he has played this down in the past, it has to play a little on his mind.

Not sure how I feel about the match tomorrow. Yes, he stepped it up yesterday but can he do it again against Andy who we know has given him problems in the past and who has proved he has heart. All this angst is not good for my health so I have decided I am going to stay calm and que sera sera. (Not sure who I am trying to kid here ).

But then, it was so good to have the old Rafa back (how much had we missed the Rafa-strut) that I want more of the same tomorrow. (With apologies to Andy fans but know they understand).

Evening all

Rafa and Andy are on first, and I think that is more than likely because for some reason Federer is so popular with the RG crowd,
You would have thought Rafa would be their hero but :Gallic shrug:

I have a day off tomorrow and am really looking forward to the match. I am hoping for the kind of match we so often witness when these two play each other, and may the best man win.

Evening all lovely Rafateers!!

Cats Amazon

Is anyone in work tomorrow?? Rafan has also taken the day off ... I will be :run2: at 12.30 pm. This is a big day for tennis.

I'm actually preferring that Rafa is on first, Amazon. Just to get it out of the way, none of the commie nonsense about ... Novak is the new number 1 ... whilst Rafa is playing and stuff. And pfft to the French crowd ... they do NOT deserve Rafa.

It is always the tensest of affairs between these two and both have had their struggles this tournament. I'm wondering if Fate will play its hand cos sometimes, the Slam you least expect a player to win, they go and do so (see Agassi). Is it in the Fates that Rafa matches Borg's record?

Is all very ... but isn't this what we watch this great game for??

But I am never, evah supporting one single tennis player again!!

Evening all. A quick visit on my return from Paris. Really hope Rafa can do it tomorrow, but am nervous already. Andy has this habit of underperforming when expectations are high and overperforming when they're low. As he's playing Rafa on clay and given the expectations associated with that, there is only upside for him - a bit like being the goalkeeper in a penalty shoot out, but if Rafa can play with the same focus, determination and colm that he showed against the Sod, I'm sure he can do it.

(Wooffie, I don't know if you can choose not to support a player. I never picked Rafa - he just sort of landed in my head by accident and wouldn't go away).

AFCWomble42 wrote:Evening all. A quick visit on my return from Paris. Really hope Rafa can do it tomorrow, but am nervous already. Andy has this habit of underperforming when expectations are high and overperforming when they're low. As he's playing Rafa on clay and given the expectations associated with that, there is only upside for him - a bit like being the goalkeeper in a penalty shoot out, but if Rafa can play with the same focus, determination and colm that he showed against the Sod, I'm sure he can do it.

(Wooffie, I don't know if you can choose not to support a player. I never picked Rafa - he just sort of landed in my head by accident and wouldn't go away).

Oh I can so identify with that last comment .. I have never supported one player since Borg retired and said I never would again... but then came Rafa and all common sense went out of the window.

ladies. I flirted with Andre after my first tennis love, JMac ... but this 18 year old kid brought me out of my tennis malaise in 2005 when I'd barely watched the game I'd loved for a couple of years.

And now we are all <crack pots>

Oh dear ... what are we going to do the day he retires... who then will light our fire...

OMG Haddie!! You've just mouthed the "sentence that shall never be spoken" ...

So long as we enjoy him while we can ... the real world will always be there waiting for us afterwards ...

Good evening all my luvverly Rafateers

Haddie hope you had a lovely break

Womble glad you enjoyed your trip and you got to see Rafa playing at his best so far this tournament

I will be around tomorrow...couldn't concentrate on work while all this will be going on ......I agree with what you've all said....I loved Borg and Agassi with a passion....but it's never ever ever been like this......and never ever ever will again.....because I don't think Rafa can be topped....and I'll be too bloody exhausted to try again

Woofs just because I can

Sorry Woofs awfull thought wasn´t it.??
Thank you Denzi I had a great time in Canada though I did miss my tennis and wasn´t able to see much.. all I knew was that the boy was not himself and I was a bit worried. Lets hope today he can give us more of what he showed the Sod ... we all know he can...Like you I think there will never be another like him .. so please Rafa ... Vamos

Happy Birthday Rafa

Feliz cumpleaños Rafa! Youtube Birthday Tribute, Click Here

Thanks for the link Y I Man.

Vamos Rafa Give yourself the bist present.

Hi to everyone on this thread, I've been a long time lurker here and love the way you all follow Rafa. You often manage to cheer me up when he loses which I hope he won't today! He really is one of a kind.

Happy Birthday Rafa, here's hoping for a nice quick match in your favour, the best present ever.

Has anyone seen this tweet by Neil Harman, so true

"Rafael Nadal is 25 today. All I shall say is that if everyone had a bit of Rafa in them, the world would be a better place"

V A M O S

Hi purplerain and welcome

Your're in good company with Lurky Lurk Cats above you but we are always pleased to have someone else join in.

I am about to shut my laptop down and head off home. :run2:

Nerves are kicking in now ... but VAMOS RAFAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!! You can do it, you can DO it!!! <bubbly>

Catch you all in a little while ......... :run1: :run2: :run1: