23rd of March

Newly crowned Indian Wells champion, Rafa Nadal has arrived in Miami early this morning after a successful week in California where he picked up title number 33 in his career and 2nd of the season.

 “It’s complicated to start off [the season] so well, and even though this is just the start, it’s a great start” said the champ after his victory against Andy Murray yesterday. 

Last year, Rafa made it to the final of Miami where he lost to the eventual champion, Davydenko in the final. However, things have changed a lot since then; he comes into this tournament as the world number one, with 2 hard court titles since the start of the season and with great intention to do better.

 DRAW OF PLAY

The draw ceremony for the Masters Series event in Miami took place this morning in Florida revealing on its way that either Italian Simon Bolleli or Teimuras Gabashvili will be Rafa’s first opponent for his opening match.

It’s expected that this match will take place on the 28th of March at 8:00pm (Local time) and it will be a few days before we know which of these two gentlemen will face the world number one.

Amongst the players on his side of the Draw, Rafa could clash with Ivo Karlovic, David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco, Feliciano López, Fernando Gonzáles or Richard Gasquet on his way to a hypothetical semi-final where he could face Any Murray again.

What did Rafa do today?

Rafael had a training session this morning for “about half an hour, no more than that, just to get my muscles going again and to get used to the courts”, said Rafa.

On Tuesday morning he will attend a promotional event together with Ana Ivanovic and will train in the afternoon at 4:00pm (local time) with Stanislas Wawrinka - who Francis Roig arranged to train with Rafa.

Vamos Rafa!

22nd of March

Rafa Nadal and Scotland’s Andy Murray will take on center stage today to play the final of the Masters Series tournament in Indian Wells after Rafa beat Andy Roddick in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 yesterday and Murray beat world number 2, Roger Federer in 3 sets.

In regards to his semi-final match, Rafa said: “At 6-5, I started again to play a little bit more aggressive”….“I served a little bit more direction, so in the tie-break I did the same, having good points. That was important to keep that mentally after two times losing the serve.”

What about today’s final against Andy Murray?

“He's a very complete player,” said Rafa “He has a good serve, has very good control from the baseline, everything. He has good hands, very good drop shot, so he can play aggressive, he can play defensive. He's a very complete player.”

“Murray's mental game has improved over the past year, I think he's more focused all the time.”. "Before, he has one good match and later he plays one set well and two sets not at the same level. Right now he's playing all the time very solid."

Murray, 21 years old has won the last 3 meetings against Rafa: The final in Rotterdam a month ago, an exhibition match in Doha played in January (which doesn’t count) and the semi-final of the US Open in August of 2008. However, in terms of their overall stats, Rafa leads their career head-to-head encounters by 5 victories against 2 (from Murray).

Today’s final will be played after the women’s singles final which starts at 12:00pm (local time) in Stadium 1.

Vamos Rafa!

22nd of March

Rafa Nadal has once again left the Californian crowd delighted after beating Andy Murray in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2 in the final of the Masters Series tournament in Indian Wells, claiming the title for the second time in his career.

The number 1 tennis player in the world took only an hour and a half to beat the number 4 seed of the event and claim his second champion’s trophy this season (and 33rd overall), after his victory at the Australian Open in January.

Rafa now feels stronger and more secure about his game on the American fast courts that had caused a lot of problems in the past. An extremely good learner, Rafa has once again proven that there is nothing that can stop him.

“I’m really happy with tmy victory because it means a lot to me. And I’m also happy because FC Mallorca won their match today, so we are safe now”. 

“This has been a very important tournament and I believe I played really well, so you have to be content with that, you know. It gives me a lot of confidence’.

THE MATCH

Like the previous round against American Andy Roddick, Rafa had a very tough opponent lined-up. Scotsman Andy Murray had a great record against Rafael after winning their last 3 encounters: The final in Rotterdam a month ago, an exhibition match in Doha played in January (which doesn’t count) and the semi-final of the US Open in August of 2008; a significant testament of his immense talent.

It was a match for the mentally fit and strong. There was the wind factor playing a big role in the minds of the players and there was the history between them: 2 great champions determined to shine and prove to the world just how good they are.

Andy should be extremely proud of himself regardless of the result. He’s proved to be a huge contender for titles in the upcoming months, and will leave California as the runner up with his head held high after an incredible week that saw him beat Roger Federer for the 4th consecutive time.

A big congratulations to Rafa as well for taking home the title, a beautiful trophy and 1000 points in the ATP ranking’s race.

Congratulations to both!!

RAFA'S PLANS: Rafa will fly out of Indian Wells to Miami tonight accompanied by his team and will land in Florida early in the morning. He will have a training session on Monday afternoon for “about half an hour, no more than that, just to get my mucles going again and to get used to the courts”, said Rafa.

On Tuesday morning he will attend a promotional event together with Ana Ivanovic and will train in the afternoon at 4:00pm (local time) with Stanislas Wawrinka - who Francis Roig arranged to train with Rafa.

Video: Tennis24TV

21st of March

Rafa Nadal made quick work of Juan Martin del Potro to advance to the semi-finals of the first Masters Series event of the season in Indian Wells after a straight set victory: 6-2, 6-4 yesterday.

“I started off serving well but later on I was making too many mistakes, especially with my backhand. I want to get my backhand to be a bit deeper but other than that I’m happy that I beat the number 6 tennis player in the world” said Rafa after the match at a press conference.

Not long after the quarterfinal match, Rafa hit the practice courts for some more action: “I just went to serve a little bit, practice a little bit more the serve” concluded the world number 1. 

In regards to today’s match Rafa assured that it is “going to be a really tough match, I have to play very well. I must serve well if I want to win and be focused all the time, play aggressive on the return and play right.”

As for Andy? He agrees with the world number one: “It's a difficult match-up for anyone. He seems to like this surface and it probably favors him. But with the way I serve, I think I'm always in there with a shot. I'm returning better, and I'm able to mix it up with my returns”.

Their head-to-head stats suggest that Rafa has a slight advantage over the American, with a 4-2 lead in their overall encounters (including a strong performance at the Davis Cup in Madrid where he beat Roddick 6-4, 6-0 y 6-4) however, this is Andy’ home turf and it should be a very difficult match for our champ.

Their semis match is scheduled third after the following matches:

STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am (local time)

V Azarenka (BLR) / V Zvonareva (RUS) vs G Dulko (ARG) / S Peer (ISR)

Not Before 1:00 PM

[4] A Murray (GBR) vs [2] R Federer (SUI)

[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs [7] A Roddick (USA)

Vamos Rafa!

21st of March

For the second time in his career, Rafa Nadal will step onto the Tennis Garden courts of the Masters Series event in Indian Wells to play for the title that he once won in 2007.

After 1 hour and 50 minutes of play, Rafa got rid of the American in two sets, 6-4, 7-6(4) and booked himself a ticket to the finals where he will play against England’s Andy Murray who beat world number 2, Roger Federer in a complicated match that lasted for 3 sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.

Rafa was outstanding today. He went into the match with no intension of making it easy for Andy, especially after surviving an incredible fourth round clash against the number 14th player in the world, David Nalbandian, who had an incredible 2-0 lead over the world number one a couple of days ago.

The Australian Open champ was on fire from the first point and didn’t look back after breaking Roddick only once to win the first set after 10 games.

Like it was expected, the second set was more competitive, intense and full of winners from both players. It wasn’t till later in the match that Rafa got a break and as he got closer to closing out the Match, Andy came back and forced the tiebreak which Rafa won with no problem 7-4.

Well done Rafa!

March 19th

Rafa saved five match points en route to a spectacular 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-0 victory over David Nalbandian to reach the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells hard-court tennis tournament.

"I didn't go to the match with a clear idea of how to play. I was scared about his backhand and it was a mistake. I played too much to his forehand and he killed me."

"I played very well the match points against, and I played better the tiebreaker," Rafa said. "In the third set he was tired, I think, but I played better... I found a solution."

“I had a lot of luck, I’m not very happy about myself in the first two sets. I think I had the memory of the last two matches when he played well. I didn’t go into the match with the best mentality, but the important thing is I won and I’m in the quarterfinal”.

“I’m happy with my reaction. I played well in the match points. I was scared about his backhand, which is a mistake, because I have a good forehand. It shouldn’t be a problem. But I played the whole match to his forehand and he killed me against my backhand. And then I found a solution. I didn’t go into the match with a clear idea of how to play.”

The world number 1 will now face another argentine in the shape of 6th seed superstar, Juan Martín Del Potro. Their meeting is scheduled last in Stadium 1 after the following matches:

G Dulko (ARG) / S Peer (ISR) vs [6] N Llagostera Vives (ESP) / M Martinez Sanchez (ESP)

Not before 1:00 PM (local time)

V Azarenka (BLR) vs [4] V Zvonareva (RUS)

Not before 3:00 PM (local time)

N Djokovic (SRB) vs [7] A Roddick (USA)

[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs [6] J Del Potro (ARG) - ATP

Rafa and Juan Martin have played a total of 3 times in the past, with Rafa winning all of those matches. Their last encounter was in London 2007.

Vamos Rafa!

19th of March

Rafa Nadal made quick work of Juan Martin del Potro to advance to the semi-finals of the first Masters Series event of the season in Idian Wells after a straight set victory 6-2, 6-4, that has given the number one seed an all-time 4-0 head-to-head lead against the Argentine.

The Tennis Garden Stadium was the stage for the highly anticipated quarterfinal encounter that ended quicker than expected after Juan Martin suffered an injury that may have played a big part in tonight’s performance.

He started off well, but was quickly overpowered by the world number 1, who didn’t think twice about taking the first set, (and later sending his opponent back home) after only eight games.

In the second set things got worse for Del Potro, clearly giving up on the match and leaving the door open for the Australian Open champ to qualify to the semi-finals of the tournament where he will meet against American No.7 seed, Andy Roddick, who surprised the number 3 player in the world and defending champion, Novak Djokovic.

Their head-to-head stats suggest that Rafa has a slight advantage over the American, with a 4-2 lead in their overall encounters (including a strong performance at the Davis Cup in Madrid where he beat Roddick 6-4, 6-0 y 6-4) however, this is Andy’ home turf and it should be a very difficult match for our champ.

In the other semi-final, Roger Federer and Andy Murray will fight for a place in the final.

Vamos Rafa! 

18th of March

Rafa successfully qualified for the fourth round of the Masters Series tournament in Indian Wells yesterday after beating Dmitry Tursonov in straight sets 6-3 6-3 in 79 minutes of play.

He now waits to face David Nalbandian, who had no problem sending Viktor Troicki home after beating him in straight sets, 6-4 6-2. Troicki beat Rafa in their last two meetings at the 2007 Paris and Madrid Masters Series events.

“Tomorrow’s match is very important for me and at the same time I need to play really well. It wasn’t like that the last couple of times that I played against him. He was playing really well at that moment and I didn’t exactly play too well. So that is my aim for tomorrow, to improve my performance and then try to dominate the points, otherwise he will do that. I will have to hit the ball deep into the court, with as much intensity and rhythm as possible. That’s what I will try to do”, said the World number 1.

The encounter is scheduled for 9:00pm (local time, 6:00am in Spain), in Stadium 1 after the following matches:

V. Zvonareva (RUS) vs [9] C Wozniacki (DEN)

F Gonzalez (CHI) vs [2] R Federer (SUI)

N Djokovic (SRB) vs [16] S Wawrinka (SUI)

D Ferrer (ESP) vs [7] A Roddick (USA)

D Safina (RUS) vs [8] V Azarenka (BLR) - WTA

R Nadal (ESP) vs [14] D Nalbandian (ARG) - ATP

18TH of march

Rafa Nadal had to face today (early morning in Spain and evening in California) one of his toughest opponents EVER for a place in the quarterfinals of the Masters Series tournament in Indian Wells.

Ranked 14th in the world, David Nalbandian had the perfect record against Rafa before tonight’s meeting: 2 victories in their only 2 meetings; in the Paris and Madrid Master Series events in 2007.

However, ‘every day is a new day’ as the song says, which means that for the fourth consecutive time in his carreer, Rafa will be in the quarterfinals of Indian Wells after beating Nalbandian 3-6, 7-6 , 6-0  in 2 hours and 54 minute of play. 

With this victory, Rafa continues to offer amazing performances in the fast courts of California where today he showed an incredible fighting spirit and the mental toughness that makes him the best tennis player in the world.

Nadbandian jumped on court prepared to repeat his past results, giving it his all from the beginning. Possessed with accurate serves and strong forehands, he ran Rafa around the court during the whole first set and even part of the second.

At that point (knowing very well the kind of mental toughness Rafa possesses), David decided to try to finish the points as quickly as possible, punishing the ball like there was no tomorrow and giving Rafael no opportunity to come back. He fought, and fought, till he scored himself 4 match points, however, he seemed to have forgotten who he was playing against and opened up a gap for Rafa to attack and take the set with him, not knowing what was to come from the Spanish superstar.

From there on, Rafa did everything in his power to keep cool and had no problem closing out the set and the match not long after the second set had finished.

In the quarterfinals, Rafa will face Juan Martin del Potro this Friday!

Congratulations Rafa!!

16th of March

The order of play for Tuesday’s Masters Series event in Indian Wells reveals that Rafa will have a very long and busy day ahead of him.

The No.1 tennis player in the world has a third-round singles match and a second-round doubles encounter scheduled one right after the other.

SINGLES

On Monday, Rafa Nadal outplayed Germany's Michael Berrer 6-2 6-1 in just over an hour of play for a place in the third round of the first Masters Series event of the season.

"For me, it was perfect," said Rafa about the match, "I played a very comfortable match. "I had the break in the first game in both sets, so that's really important. I felt well on court, playing good."

On Tuesday’s match, Rafa is expecting Russian Dmitry Tursunov, whom he beat the first and only time they’ve ever played each other (at this year’s Rotterdam Open).

The match is scheduled third after the following matches:

STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am V Zvonareva (RUS) vs N Li (CHN)

Not before 1:00 PM: N Djokovic (SRB) vs T Haas (GER) D Safina (RUS) vs J Craybas (USA) R Nadal (ESP) vs [26] D Tursunov (RUS)

DOUBLES

Rafa Nadal and his friend Marc Lopez are due to play the world’s best doubles couple -The Bryan brothers- in the night shift (after suitable rest) for a place in the third round.

This is the time and order of play: (Local California time)

STADIUM 1 Not before 1:00 PM: J Melzer (AUT) vs [6] J Del Potro (ARG) J Isner (USA) vs [24] M Safin (RUS) S Querrey (USA) vs [16] S Wawrinka (SUI)  D Ferrer (ESP) vs J Chardy (FRA) B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs  M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP)

Vamos Rafa and Marc!!