Indian Wells: Rafa Wins His Lucky Number 13

Rafa Nadal wins his 13th Masters title by beating Andy Murray 61, 62.




Here we go! Andy won the toss and elected to receive. Too bad, Rafa. We know you like to be on the receiving end.

Tea, check. Coffee, check. Scotchtape, check.

nadalnews @ElToroDeRafa Did you bring chocolate for me? I need some chocolate.

Is there a study about how much calories we consume during sport watching? Must be loads.

It is very windy on court, and apparently it was bad enough that Zvonareva won the WTA side because Ana just didn't cope with the wind as well.

Commentators are saying that the Ginge seems to have gotten rid whatever virus he had contracted during AO. Blood test never found out what was wrong, but it's fortunately not grandular fever or mono. Good 'cos mono would suck. Fed still hasn't shrugged his (heh).

First game, first set, seems like the wind is on Rafa's back. Uh-oh, 40-15 on Rafa's serve and wind's changed direction to Rafa's right. A sucession of serves ensues, with a double fault to boot. 40-30, both players taking it slow but game ended with a UE from the Ginge. First game to Rafa.

Second game first set, commentators said that Andy is playing with the wind. Kate Walsh is back again, in a black top today. I'm so badly in love with her. 15-30 on Murray's serve and the wind strikes back. Rafa's hit is about 3 meters off the baseline. Deuce. Andy plays at the net and then back again at the baseline. What a rally! Andy won the point, Ad for him. Commentator: "Wind? WHAT wind??". Shaky return from Rafa and Ginge holds.

1-1, Rafa serving. First point, both all over the court now. Rafa tried a lob but Andy got it. 0-15. Bad serve return from Andy, 15 all. Rafa is starting to grunt, and made Andy run side to side on the baseline. 30-15. Another good serve from Rafa, 40-15. Rafa STILL making Andy run, a little rally, and Rafa won the game with a superb backhand.

 

2-1, Ginge serving. Andy's not putting the ball anywhere difficult. Again, Rafa is up 30-15. A sudden gust of wind and 30 all. Game point for Murray, but Rafa decided to come to the net and wins it. Deuce. Ooh great point, both scrambling but Rafa won. Advantage. Second deuce. Another game point for Andy, and Rafa is challenging the call. Call stands. Nice little volley from Rafa and third deuce. Yet another gust of wind and Andy is at another game point. Fourth deuce. Ugh what's with people's trash all over the place. Andy is miffed and now pestering the reff a little because it came from behind the reff and reff couldn't see and didn't call a let. The crowd is urging Andy to play on, not too nicely. Rafa breaks, Andy complained more about the let call that should have happened. Whew that was a long game.

Rafa up 3-1 and now serving. I hope Andy didn't let the little incident rattle him. He's young enough in the mind to still let these things bother him. 40-15 for Rafa, Andy is shouting at himself. Lovely pass and Andy is up a point, 40-30. Ouch! Unlucky net hit and Rafa holds.



Changeover, Andy yet again speaks to the reff about the missed let call. "If something flies on the court.. are you gonna stop play or not... cos I'll be pissed at you if you didn't". Somehow he said that in an amiable tone. Roddick should learn from him - in fact, many players should learn that. Reff apologized but nothing he could have done, he didn't see it.

Murray is down 1-4, serving. I know I'm supposed to hate the win but it amazes me how both players are still playing with great standards, and it's fascinating to see how both are very sensitive to the wind  and adjusting with a lot of effort that so far is paying off for both. Uh-oh, too much wind, Andy waits to serve. 30 all. And yet another break point for Rafa. Ok I take that back, me hates wind. Rafa breaks.

Goodness Andy is still going on about the let call. Time to let go Andy.

5-1, Rafa serving for the set. Lucky net cord and Rafa is up 30-15. I think Andy is gonna let this set go and try better on the second. Double set point. Oops, Rafa messed it. Still set point. Rafa is frowning. Hee. Still adorbs. Strong serve and Rafa wins the set 6-1.

I know I'm supposed to be rooting for Rafa here but I like Murray enough (okay, a lot more than is healthy) to still be happy if he wins.

Second set. Darn, I took a quick potty break and a game has passed. Andy held.

0-1, Rafa serves. 30-15, let on serve. Rafa didn't agree, he gestured to the reff about the height of the ball and smiled. EEE! He's sooo cute. Ahem. Efficient game, Rafa holds.

It's 5.30 AM and I stupidly called the dog groomers to come tomorrow... which is today. Hope they come late noon.

1-1. Uh. Must have fallen asleep. Murray holds.

Kiss cam! I must be a dork because I love Kiss Cam. They caught Will Ferrel and he obliged, kissing the lady on his right. They caught Will another time and he kissed Kate Walsh on his left. Aww. Love people with good humor.

2-1, Rafa serves. 30-15, a terrible passing shot from Andy yet he moves into the net, almost got his head taken off by Rafa's forehand. Rafa holds.

Jesus, what kind of coffee does my mom keep on hand? Barely an hour into the match and I'm losing concentration already.

2-2. 15 all. Ooh- Ginge is shouting again. "What are you doing?! Fuck!" Lucky to get off. 30-15. Andy comes into the net and luckily, won the point. Not gonna work too often babe so let's do something else. Another break point for Rafa! So far he's 2 for 2. OH! I wish I can describe the rally that just happened. Rafa got the break. Rafistpump.

Rafa now up a break on the second set and serving. He painted the line to win the first point. Great grounstrokes by Andy, 15 all. Another shout from Andy. He is grimacing. Rafa holds, 4-2.

Murray serves. Purrfect lob from Rafa, 0-15. Andy answers with a nice pass. Ouch Rafa misjudged a ball and let it go, it was way inside the court. But yet another break point for him. He's doing a little bit of Andy by mixing the pace of his ball and he breaks.

5-2, Rafa is serving for the match championship. 



I am squirming now 'cos I need another potty break. Understandably, Ginge is playing a listlessly now. 2 UEs by the Ginge backhand and Rafa is up 30-0. Ah, 40-0. This is it. Rally. Still rally. Andy shanked a forehand and Rafa wins his number 13th!



Match time: 1 hour 20 minutes. Match stats here.

It was a battle of concentration and focus. I maintain that Andy has the technique to beat anyone on the tour right now - and so does Rafa - but for mental strength, there really is no better than Rafa at the moment. Maybe not for a long time to come. I did wish for a more even match as we were robbed of it in Rotterdam, but oh well. Both are young, I'm sure we will get a worthy Rafa/Andy battle one day.

To put this win in perspective, this is Rafa's 13th masters title. Sampras managed 11, Federer is still at 14, and Agassi the current record holder has 17. Roger is 27 this year (and is currently managing a headcase from hell, which originates from himself truly), Pete retired at age 30 and Andre at 36. So basically, Rafa is in a good position to pwn the record, but I try not to get ahead of the future. As we have evidenced with Roger, anything can happen. His knees might finally decide they're not gonna put up with him anymore, someone might come along like he himself with Roger, or maybe he will one day (soon) get kidnapped by a Rafanatic and kept in the basement for like, ever and ever. Not that I know anything about that.

But for now, he truly is the man to beat. 

Next up - Miami!