ROME: Rafa Rolls On To Final, Contributed To Global Warming.

Rafa won 63, 63 over Gonzo and is in the final of Rome. The King of Smurfs is waiting for him there.

I just have a few things to get off my bosom before I talk about the semifinal match.

Honey, you can hide behind a building and we're pretty sure we'll know it's you. A mere towel? Pffft.

He must've had a lot. Of sweat. I'm sure the Rafanatics are willing to help wipe it, no?

Not sure if he should feeling so victorious after contributing to global warming, but - what am I talking about?! Good job, Rafa!

See, even Gonzo can't resist. If that's not gooey eyes he was giving Rafa, I don't know what is.

Okay, really, about the match. I missed it so I can't help with post-match thoughts, but looking at the scoreline made me wish that Pico was there instead of Gonzo. I think he'd give a better fight, but that's just me.

Now, WIN THE DARN THING, RAFA. All the titles on clay this year is yours. Maybe I'm biased, but hell, this is my blog, where else do I go to lose my mind in Rafabsession? Djoko is definitely in form, so I'm sure it'll be a fight, but they don't call him El Toro for nothing, no? Vamos!

Frisky Friday: Fan Yourselves.

Rafa. Tongue. Do I need to say anything else?

Thanks to skyejaden @ twitter for the pic!

Happy weekend, Rafanatics.

VIDEO: Let's Talk Cars, ATP Boys.

[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.818330&w=425&h=350&fv=]

So this was a very important video for me, as I've got a thing for cars. I know right? I like pink, what the hell am I doing with cars? I don't know. It just is.

Rafa's answer was a little disappointing, but what a smile! The giggling was infectious. And how did I know Nando was gonna say Audi R8?? It's so flashy! So him. And is it just me or does Nalby has an american accent? Ginge is so British with his choice. Frick. I have to stop watching Top Gear.

Enjoy!

video via GoToTennis

ROME: Semis, Here Comes Rafa.

Rafa won 63, 63 over Nando in Rome. To his credit, The Hawk gave it his all and then some, even causing his knee to go bad again and calling the physio, and made me wish that physio was yours truly. Ah, the wonderful world of ATP trainers. There's nothing else like it, is there?

Not sure what Rafa is so surprised about in this picture. Really, all I can think of is, Eyebrows! and, Chocolate Eyes!

Despite some negative body language from Nando, for most of the match he looked quietly confident, and he made Rafa werq! today. I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I like him as a person and for him to ascend in play and rankings makes me feel good. On the other, there is that something about him that is just difficult for Rafa to shake off. I know, the scoreline doesn't say much, but most of the games in the second set went to deuce many times. One game in particular was more than 8 minutes long. That game probably caused Nando to call the trainer and go "ooh aah ouch" on tv and made me fan myself, and that kinda worried me a bit. This happened at AO - although that one was very understandable, I mean 5 hours? Peel me off the court already - and then the match with Ginge in IW/Miami (can't remember which) he called the trainer too, and I'm not sure if he played badly because of the bad knee or he called the trainer because he was playing badly. Oh boy, I think I just confused myself. My point is, he probably needs to lose a few pounds as whatever the problem is, all those muscles are not helping. I suggest he get himself a Yorkshire Terrier, as it really worked for me in losing weight. Just sayin'.

Other matches of the day results in no upsets. Well, for most people at least. Me, I'm quite upset of my Freaky Tall (tm Miri) losing to the King of Smurfs, but that's just me. Roger needed to scramble up a tiebreak to  put away Mischa Zverev, but after that it went pretty smooth. Shame, as Mischa is preeeeetteeeeh. He also had a beaut of a one handed backhand, and he was rocking that BH volley most of the first set. Shame.

I just don't understand the gangsta necklace. Is it coming back in style? And what is it about Argentines that makes them so hairy:

I'm not sure if it's a turn on or a turn off, but since I'd still hit it, I'm guessing it's more the former than latter.

So tomorrow, Roger vs Djoko starting at 1.30 PM, and Rafa vs Gonzo or Monaco at 4.

ROME: Shirtless Rafa Video. Because.

DON'T say I don't deliver.

Thanks Stella!

ROME: Rafa Proves That His Is Bigger Than The Sod's

Rafa won (duh) against Dear Sod, 61 60. Wha..? His name is not the Sod? Well, this is a Rafa Nadal blog, so too bad so sad, pass the gravy.

And just to satisfy the drama queen in all of us, Rob had a little exchange with the umpire about a linecall. The match was quite satisfying because, well... Rafa did squash him like a bug. Wha..? What do you mean I'm laughing my arse off? I feel bad for him, really I do. *snicker*

I really like this picture because it looks like he is about to bitchslap someone. No, I don't know who.

Okay, can you totally tell I LOVED the match? It was fantastic. Rafa's got his game face on from the second he stepped on court, and Dear Sod justified my dislike for him by giving Rafa a really nasty handshake - Rafa had to lean quite far into the other side of the net. Yes, what a gentleman. I can't find a really unflattering picture of him, so I won't post a pic of Dear Sod. Yes, I know,we're so missing some things in life by not looking at his face anymore than we have to. Sucks, eh? 

Tomorrow Rafa is going against Nando. Juan Monaco going against Gonzo, Potro against the King of Smurfs, and Roger vs Mischa Zverev, who dispatched Gilles Simon in straight sets. I may have jinxed Gilly in my earlier post. Sorry, babe. Rafa vs Nando has its potential.. if it's on the hardcourts. Alas, this is clay, yes? I can't stop saying that. 

For those of you who has no clue of the reason of this hoo haa against Dear Sod, here's a little video to remind/inform you. Thanks Diane for the link.

And an article that called everything pretty much fairly:

Nadal, Soderling get under each other's skin.

Don't say I don't deliver.

 

ROME: It's Been A Weird, Weird Week.

Richard Gasquet won over his compatriot Tsonga, *and* Curly Gulbis. Like, huh? Gilles Simon finally got a few matches under his belt following his double defeats during the Davis Cup, and Ginge is out on his first match. Although it was against Juan Monaco, so I can't exactly whine about this. But it still has some weirdness about the whole thing.

Thank God Rafa is still King, and Marat still losing. Marat blew his 62, 54 lead to lose to (my current crush) Tommy. I'm thinking hey should make it illegal for Marat to play already. All those broken hearts of tennis fans amongst the globe is just not healthy.

Oh, some weirdness still coming today: Rafa is going against Robin Soderling. I feel dirty just writing this guy's full name, like I've tainted my pristine white, innocently naive blog or something. Anyways, I'm SO up for some Sod trashing. Pass the popcorn.

Yes, I'm totally trying to seek forgiveness for my absence by posting Rafa and his envy-inducing facial skin. Is it working?