28th of March

Rafa Nadal took his first step toward back-to-back ATP Masters titles after cruising to victory at the Sony Ericsson Open this evening (in Miami).

The top-seeded Spaniard, who claimed the 13th Masters crown of his career last week at Indian Wells, posted a convincing 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Russia’s Teimuraz Gabashvili in second round of this Masters Series hard court event.

Rafa has yet to win a title here, but has has reached the final twice – in 2005 and last year, when he finished runner-up to Nikolay Davydenko of Russia.

The 22-year-old, who received a bye as one of the 32 seeds, has carried the momentum of his breakthrough 2008 season into this year and now will be waiting for the winner of the match between Ivo Karlovic (ranked 26th in the world) and Frederico Gil, (a qualifier) for a chance to make it into the fourth round.

Until this evening, Terimuras only knew Rafa from far away, and now, thanks to this meeting, the Russian has a better point of reference: There is still a LOT to learn to be able to match the 'Raging Bull'.

Vamos Rafa!