Let's Play Pretend. You Steal Towels, I Be Officer...

This is too cute for words.



*sigh*

I wish he's here to make me feel better. Spoon feed me some Spanish version of sick room food. I'll even take it from his hand. Or his chest. Or knees. Or... *off to dreamland*

via NadalNews

A Letter To Rafaelites

From Pete Bodo's blog:

In response to comments from quite a few readers of yesterday's "Deal With the Devil" post from Pete (apparently the world drastically lacks adequate media coverage of Rafael Nadal's victory at the Australian Open), some of you may not have seen that he responded in the comments with the following : 

"Guess I'll have to write a Nadal post tomorrow. Fair enough. Then we'll have a Q and A type thing, maybe live, later this week, so I can handle some of these questions I can't take on now."

Meanwhile Russ provided the following interim attempt at comfort to deprived Nadal fans everywhere:

Dear Rafaelites,

I am writing to thank you for helping me get over Fed's loss much sooner than I had expected. Here I sit, barely 48 hours removed from that match, feeling better than many of you. I mean, Fed's just been crushed, and I feel so bad for so many of you that I can't even revel in that sadness. Just as Fed stole Rafa's moment by crying, you've stolen my moment of grief.

I hope that one day, Rafa does beat Djokovic, Justin Gimelstob, or Vince Spadea on a big stage so that I don't have to spend so much time reading through posts of how horrible it is to be a Rafa fan. I cannot bear to think how painful it must be for you, as fans, to see Rafa reduce Roger Federer to tears, and then have the gall to comfort him. Djokovic fans seemed to handle victory over Federer much better than you. This is ironic, since we all know there is only one King (Queen-- where did we stand on that debate, anyway?) Killer, and that is your boy.

Anyway, this letter is rambling, but I just want to close by saying that I hope you find a hug from someone who can help you through the bitter disappointments of no article by Peter Bodo, and people claiming that Nadal is not the GOAT at 22 years old.

May you find comfort in knowing that the Gold Medal, Wimbledon, French Open, and Australian Open belong to him, and he's just entering prime tennis years. I didn't foresee that Rafa winning would cause so many of you this much pain -- and I wish you the strength and comfort you will need in what will certainly be a very difficult 4 years ahead.

Had I known this, I'd have personally flown to Australia with Tim and knocked over his water bottles, and prevented this travesty from occurring. May St. Toni keep you in his prayers.

With Condolences,

Russ

*Fixed to please one special Rafanatic. Apparently there's no point in doing a post about Rafa without his picture. Apologies. Will never happen again.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Find out what it means to me... Oh shut up, self.

I wanna give a shoutout for GoToTennis. Freakyfrites, being an self-confessed Fedophile, did a glowing (short) post of Rafa winning the AO. 

RAFAEL NADAL: A HERO OF SPORTSMANSHIP.

I feel all warm inside, knowing there are Fedophiles who does not hate Rafa with a passion, and giving him his due.  

After all, our very own idols can't say a bad thing about one another. Why shouldn't we take their cues?

‘I Was Tired But My Legs Still Had The Answers’

Neil Hartman from Timesonline wrote the most wonderful piece of Rafa's win in the Aussie Open.

For those of you who haven't read it yet, head over and DO.

I cannot describe how much I love the article. It had me with the title. Oh Rafa. If only you know how it sounds to us.

Aussie Open Quotes

From BBC UK.

"I was completely worried about that. I thought I lost the power with the new clothes. C'mon."

Rafael Nadal sees the funny side when asked if he was worried he might not be able to win in his new non-sleeveless shirts.

"The problem is you can't go in the locker room and just take it easy and take a cold shower. You can't. You know, you're stuck out there. It's the worst feeling, you know. So, I don't know, it's rough."
Roger Federer describes the desolation after losing another five-set final to Nadal.

"Hopefully not too big. I'm not a big fan of receptions. I'd like to sneak out the back door at the airport tomorrow."
Mahesh Bhupathi on the reception he expects back in India after winning the country's first Grand Slam mixed doubles title with Sania Mirza.

"I did most of it."
Mike Bryan.

"You cleaned."
Bob Bryan.

"I cleaned out the garage, dusted it all, put down the carpet and mirror, got the equipment."
Mike Bryan, as the brothers have a domestic over who can take the credit for their new home gym.

"All I know is Serena usually picks up the bill."
Mike Bryan makes plan for an all-American celebration in Melbourne.

Curtain's closing on AO. What a great ending to the tournament.

 


*image credit: Quinn Rooner/Getty
   


 

 

Photocall: Rafael Nadal With His AO Trophy

He deserves all this and more.

The photographers were merciless. 

"A little heavy, no?"

"The Rafanatics will go crazy over brooding looks - so I should give them one."

CONGRATS RAFA!

VAMOS!

Image credits (Mark Dadswell|Clive Brunskill|William West/AFP/Getty)

Walk In His Shoes

I think, it would be inhuman for him not to cry. I would be worried if he didn't. Look at it this way : he may never have Roland Garros. Rafa took his winning records at Wimby. Now on AO, when everyone's saying "Roger is back!!" and Rafa is hurting from a 5 hour grueling match, Rafa STILL wins. He must be feeling pretty damn hopeless right now.

I was so, so sorry for him to have to stick it through the whole trophy ceremony. I've always wondered how athletes do it. At the end of the day, Roger is still just a man, like the rest of us. I dare you to go through all he did in the past year and not cry like he did. He's a strong man who couldn't hold back anymore. I don't think less of him because of that. No one should.

The moment when he asked to speak right after Rafa received his trophy? I don't think he did it on purpose. Notice how he took the podium again after Rafa hugged and talked to him*. Maybe he urged Roger to give it another try.  It was polite of him to say a few words to his fans, to Rafa, to everyone. It was also polite to give him that moment, considering how he could not say a word because he was sobbing his heart out. It would be little for the winner to begrudge him the words.

Besides, after all, Rafa did win.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="392" caption="It'll be all right. We can still gut it out at Wimbledon."][/caption]

I really, really wish we wouldn't make this moment as "the one where Roger sobbed his way through the ceremony". It was a great match from two of the greatest players in history.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="335" caption="Cameron Spencer/Getty"][/caption]

 Rodge just needs to realize it's not the end of the world.

 

*Link to video, found via Down The Line.

"Was A Lot Of Run Today..."

Rafa's post match interview on ESPN.

Take a minute and watch it. That point on the 4th set was the point of the match. Simply incredible. Sliding around like it's on clay. 

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.2037867&w=425&h=350&fv=]

Is his English getting better? I'm conflicted about that. Okay, no, I don't like it. I like him accented and speaking confused english. Adorable. And he actually looks like he's just in from a hard day's work, what with the stubbles and all.

Nabbed via Nadal News, because Miri is a cyborg and she finds great things like it just comes running to her.

Calm After The Storm

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="428" caption="Clive Brunskill/Getty"][/caption]

 

Biting Djoko, taste of victory, and coming completed.

Rafa has a new post up on his official site's blog. 

 

"V" IS FOR VICTORY

Hello Everyone!

Where should I begin….!I’VE WON THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN! YES!

When I finally celebrated my last point I felt something I’ve never felt before, it was a more peaceful victory compared to the one in Roland Garros and Wimbledon but at the same time, it was come completed. And I know why it was that way.

I grew up as a clay-courter and my style of game adapted to that: I learned to push my opponents out of the court and that made me wear out my physic with some much running around and long rallies.

But my uncle Tony and I knew that my game had to have more dimensions to it so that I could have the same kind of results on other surfaces.  I had to change my game radically, more direct and aggressive. I had to improve my service as well and control my game when going up to the net. Make my shots flatter and my volley more accurate.

We had lots of work ahead of us for sure.

Every year we’ve had improve my game on hard courts and even though I bit Djoko in the final of the Olympic games, this final against Roger Federer, (who has recuperated his form) was going to be a test of fire for me.

But we made it!

All the hard work, the dedication I put into it was well worth it. And that is what sport is really about. A victory tastes amazing only if it is the result of hard work.  

THANK YOU ALL OF ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!

Rafa

That was fast. Maybe he can't sleep? I've got a cure for that.

That'll Teach Me

Not to doubt him ever again.

Thank you for proving me wrong, Rafa. What a player. What a champion. What a man.

It is difficult for me to find the words to express exactly how I feel throughout this match. Rafa was playing with one set of limbs. He was conserving energy like he was going to climb the Everest. Balls got past him left and right. His movements were visibly retricted on the 3rd set. By the 4th, the trainer comes almost on every break. But he hit winners. And somehow he held. And broke. And held again. And did it all over again, point by point, game by game, set by set. He took it one step at a time, and he emerged the winner.

I don't know where he finds the strength, mentally and physically. His self-belief is awe-inspiring. I did not dare to hope, and I did not dare to not hope. No one thought of this outcome. Not Roger's fans, not Rafa's fans. Everyone watching that was in total disbelief. Who knew, that the winner after 5 sets, will be our very own Rafael Nadal.

Rafa won  7-5, 3-6, 7-6(7-3), 3-6, 6-2. Roger lost all confidence on the last set, and he knows it. That will bug his mind for some time to come.

But Roger's mistakes,  I hope, will not detract from Rafa's win. A win earned with blood, sweat and tears. And maybe a few bloody tears.

On the stands, both cried. Roger could not speak the first time he had to. After Rafa received the trophy, he asked for a moment to say his piece. 

"I do not want to have the last words, because this guy deserves it."

Rafa, of course, was humble and sensitive as ever.

"I'm sorry Roger. I know how it feels. But you are great, will always be one of the best in history."

I don't know if I will ever see another such great rivalry in my lifetime. And yes, I will say that everytime they have to play against each other.

I will not post pictures of Roger looking so miserable, you can find that somewhere else. It makes for a great impact, but I don't like kicking someone when he's down. Besides, to me that is not what the match was about. 

This is more like it:

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="368" caption="Paul Crock/AFP/Getty"][/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="411" caption="Mark Dadswell/Getty"][/caption]

But of course, the best image of all:

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="403" caption="Paul Crock/AFP/Getty"][/caption]

P.S: Nadal News has a great "As It Happens" commentary. Check it out!

Rafael Nadal wins Australia Open 2009.

RAFA WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINS

Okay. I'm still crying and rattled. I just wanna say that. I will do a proper post when I stop bouncing from wall to wall.

It's unbelievable. No one is believing this. Not even I.

Let's Hope For...

A cracking final, no matter which way it goes. History will be made today, one way or another.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="457" caption="I know, I'm so mean. "][/caption]

I know a lot of people are up tonight. Comments for the match here, if you  please.

Quite A Dillemma

Tennis legends are picking Roger for Sunday's final.

Between them, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe and Tony Roche won 27 grand slam titles.

"If I had to pick someone, I'd pick Federer. Certainly after that big match, long match Nadal had," Laver said at special lunch at Melbourne Park on Saturday to mark the 40th anniversary of his 1969 grand slam sweep.

 

Rosewall said he was picking Nadal at the start of the tournament to land his maiden hardcourt slam but has since changed his mind.

 

"Having watched Roger play in the last two matches, I think his game has really lifted a lot," Rosewall said.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="425" caption="Like this?"][/caption]

 

 

But Roger himself doesn't agree.

The Nadal-Verdasco epic, lasting five hours and 14 minutes, was the longest in tournament history. 

But Federer insisted it would have no real adverse affect on the super-fit Nadal, who had not dropped a set in his previous five matches. 

“Rafa has had very easy matches going into this semi-final,'' the Swiss maestro said. 

“OK, he has a day less. 

“But you've got to be fit and recover from this kind of a match and I think he will, even though he took a while. 

“His matches usually take longer than other matches because he takes his time out on the court. 

“I don't think he will be really affected on Sunday.'' 

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="433" caption="Or this?"][/caption]

 

 

Rafa, understandably, is lying low and making small of his chances.

 

'It is amazing to play another final of a Grand Slam,' said Nadal, 21-4 in Melbourne to the 47-6 of the Swiss, from whom he seized the number one ranking last August.

   'It's special to play against Federer in any match, but the first one for me in Australia is even more so,' he added. 'For sure, Roger will be in much better performance physically than me for the final, but at the same time, I'll try to be recover and play my best.'

Even bookmakers have a say.

 

Oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com are among the best Tennis analysts in the world. Thus, it is only fit that the Australian Open 2009 Finals Prediction Sports Odds are provided by one of the elite providers in the business. Here’s what the experts say: Roger Federer [-165] will beat Rafael Nadal [+135] in the Australian Open 2009 Finals Predictions.

If the Sports Odds are indeed correct, Roger Federer would tie the legendary Pete Sampras for the most career Grand Slam wins in the history of the sport at 14. Nadal, who has become the only real threat to Federer over the years will attempt to keep second-ranked Roger Federer from tying Pete Sampras' record on Sunday. Who will win the first set? According to the experts, Roger Federer [-155] has better odds than Rafael Nadal [+125].

But of course, the most important opinion is... from all of you RAFANATICS!

Penny for your thoughts.

I Love How They Say "Ruffa"

ESPN try to predict the winner of Sunday's final. Do they ever get it right?

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.2030466&w=425&h=350&fv=]

Shamlessly nabbed via Off The Baseline.

Rafa Says, Can't Compare With Wimby Final

From his post match presser:

Q. How would this compare in drama and emotion to the final at Wimbledon against Federer, then maybe the Rome match against Federer a couple years ago?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, you can't compare the matches, no? The final of Wimbledon was the final of Wimbledon. After two finals for me was little bit more emotional.

But today was, yeah, one of these matches you gonna remember long time, no? Well, the emotion was big, because in the last game with the Love‑40 I start to cry. Was too much tension, no?

I think they'll still be PS2 buddies.

Q. What did you say to each other at the end of the match?

RAFAEL NADAL: I said him, he played very well, and congratulate him. I just congratulate him for his tournament, for his start of the season, and just say, If you continue like this, you can do everything, no?

He deserve this final, too, because his level was very well, very good. Well, he congratulated me, for sure.

Always think positive.

Q. How hard is it to keep up that level of intensity for over five hours?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, was hard because I know have a break gonna be very tough when he was serving. But, anyway, I have to be very happy with me, because I served well all the time. I have 100% concentration in all the moments.

And, for sure, is tough when you're playing against one player, he always play aggressive, playing winners. So that's killing you all the time, no?

But that's nice, too, no, for try to find solutions, try to change the tactic ‑ I don't know. These matches improve yourself, no?

On Sunday's final.

Q. How exciting is it for you to finally play Federer in a Grand Slam on hard court?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, always is ‑ I don't know ‑ special play against Federer any match, no? You play another final of Grand Slam is more exciting, no?

Little bit unlucky. Don't know how I gonna be for the final. I gonna try my best for sure for recover my body and my physical performance. But, you know, after one match like this, the next days you feel much heavier, no?

But for sure for me is amazing play another final of Grand Slam. Here in Australia, the first one. Well, unlucky all the time is against the same: the best. For sure, I prefer another opponent. But that's makes big the sport, too, no, finals like this.



Q. Do you plan to play closer to the baseline against Federer? Tonight you had to run really a lot.

RAFAEL NADAL: Was tough to be more inside, no? What do you think? Did you see the speed of the ball or not (laughter)?



Q. I saw he was able to stay farther in front.

RAFAEL NADAL: I would love to be more inside, yeah. I gonna try to be more inside for the final, but I am playing against Federer.

Link

By The Skin Of His Teeth

I am so exhausted.  I feel like I just woke up from a 5 hour trance, and sadly, 'twas no Rafatrance. I went through about 6 gallons of water/tea, 3 pounds of snacks and several mini strokes. My dogs thinks they did something wrong because I ignored them the whole damn day.

Who knew watching Rafa/Fer semis would have the same effect on me as an earthquake? Who knew Fer would totally rule over Rafa? And yes, I mean that. I may be a Rafalover, but I'm not blind. 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Who'd have guessed?"][/caption]

Fer was, unfortunately, playing better than Rafa. He owned his side of the court. It seemed like there was no ball he could not reach, and no return angle he could not make. Rafa's brilliance was non-existent on this match. He was not putting the ball anywhere difficult, there was no brilliant passing shots, nothing. Nando was totally in control of the match. If not for the ungodly amount of UEs he would have won it on the 4th set.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="359" caption="Grim Rafa, down 1-0."][/caption]

Rafa was warned during the 2nd or 3rd set (apologies, I really cannot remember, it was a match that went on forever. Ever.) by the umpire because he was supposedly making too many eye contacts with his team. He told the referee that he should warn Fernando too. Yes, both were doing it, but Rafa was more obvious because Nando talks to himself. A lot.

If I was in the audience today, I would have shouted to the umpire to check Nando's bag for a hex pack, a voodoo doll, something. It was quite unbelievable.  I don't know what Nando did on the off season that warrants so much development. Was it the coaches or was it Ana? Must be one hell of a holiday. By the end of the 5th, Nando's hair was as made up as ever. Rafa's headband started to go every which way in the middle of the 5th. Heh. I wonder if Nando's got a bad case of dandruff, using that much gel every day. Okay, now I'm just being bitchy. Props to Nando for battling Rafa with everything he's got.

And what the hell was with the audience? I see so many Rafa supporters but the cheers were all for Nando. Wth, people? What did Rafa ever do to you?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="269" caption="Damn! Old man's got style!"][/caption]

Anyhoo. I have no idea if Rafa's poor play was because Nando was really playing that well, or because of himself. I don't even know if I'm glad rafa's through to the final. Roger must be so pleased because Rafa will be walking on one leg on Sunday.  Not to say Roger's been playing very well. His last 2 matches was handed to him, wrapped with a red bow on top. But at least he'll be well rested.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350" caption="This could so easily be me."][/caption]

But he did win, and he did get into Aussie Open Final for the 1st time. That is something. I just wish the circumstances were different.  But in any case..

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="351" caption="Nuh-uh, no way. He's mine."][/caption]

We will all still be rooting for him.Vamos Rafa!

Match Stats

Nadal Verdasco Semifinal AO 2009

Federer Roddick AO 2009

So Roger won 62, 75, 75. Despite the scoreline, it wasn't that close. It was all Andy could do to hold serve, and many times, not even that. Roger was not broken once, and not even a good threat from Andy.

The first 2 sets was just miserable. Andy couldn't keep up with the pace of Roger's balls. He had an altercation with the chair umpire over line calls. I'll get back to that in a moment.

The third set shows much better skills from Roddick. He was hitting winners, less UE's, but also doublefaulted twice, once to bring him back to deuce, where he ended up being broken. But (and I'm sorry to all Roddick fans, should you find yourself wandering here) he really is no match for Federer, new coach or no. Against Roger I find it hard to see all the hard work he's done all season. Roger is just too good. He was unflappable, kept his cool, and played relaxed tennis.

Coming back to the altercation in the first set. Andy was down 3-1. Roger's serve was called out, twice in a row. He challenged both. It was both in. The first one, they were to replay the point. The second time, the point was given to Roger. Andy was uncool with that. He went over and said "did you think I wouldn't have been able to hit that ball?". The umpire at first was unresponsive, saying it is what it is. Andy kept pushing, and finally he said yes Andy, I don't think you could have hit that ball. And Andy, well he just couldn't leave it well enough alone. He kept yapping about it on and on and on and on until the next break, until the next set he was still talking about it. Sometimes I really wish he would just accept that some things will not be changed, and play on. I think it would do him a world of good. I do not believe exerting that much emotion will not affect your game, but maybe that's just me.

To tell you the truth, I think Andy could have hit that ball, but he would've lost the point on the next shot. Roger was doing the serve-ripping forehand routine the whole match and Andy didn't have an answer for it.

If anything, Roger was the one who deserves to be angry. His serve was called out many times and the four times (FOUR!) he challenged, it was all in. By the third one you could see he was trying real hard not to roll his eyes. Andy even waved his hand in front of the line judge. Tell you what, this year's AO is a mess. The indecisiveness about the roof (closed? no? open? no?), the controversial closing of it in the midst of Serena-Svetlana match, the line calling, down to what the  line judges/umpire/ball boys are wearing. Long sleeves? In that heat? Hello?

One heartwarming moment was when Andy got one of his few winners against Roger, and his coach Stefanki let out a smile so wide I'd have thought he was Roddick's father.

That was nice to see. And Roger got catcalls while he was changing his shirt.

Well. I did not hear catcalls curing Rafa's shirtchange yesterday. The only plausible explanation was that every single one the Rafanatics in the audience passed out when Rafa took off his shirt.

Anyhoo. Roger is through to the final. Rafa/Dasco will be waiting. 

Match Stats

Nadal Simon AO 2009

Aaaaaand here we go! The French Puppy against the Spanish Wolf.

Bad? Yeah. I'm sorry. In my eyes, Gilles looks a little like this:

Whaaa?? I'm sorry, I can't help how my eyes sees people. Besides, it's not an insult. Coming from a dog lover like me, it's very high praise actually. Poms are smart and alert. See? High praise.

I wonder if this set of fans will be watching today. They were at the Nadal/Haas match. To say I loved them would be an understatement.

The chair umpire chatted a little with Gilles at the net, and though I cannot hear most of it, this was spoken:

"..this match will be 6th hour on court for him.."

Or something to that effect. WAY to put a player down. I don't know whether to laugh or frown. Let's not make the Baby Pom cry, ok?

FIRST SET

*1st game, 5 deuces, Baby Pom made 7 UE to Rafa's 1. Rafa breaks. Can I just say how HOT it looks? And it's supposed to be night time there.

*4-1, 1st set, Rafa breaks for the second time.

*4-1, 15 all. Rafa doublefaults. Is this his first DB in AO?

*4-2, Rafa's broken. He was playing it real careful, but made a UE to end the game for him. He seems bothered by something. Most likely the heat. His shirt's plastered to his chest, abs, shoulder, biceps... Ok I should stop.

*1st set Rafa takes it 6-2. He makes 8 winners to his 7 UE. Baby Pom makes 9 to his 15.  Rafa's 1st serve 78% to Pom's 55%. Appalling stats for Pom.

SECOND SET

*HO!1st point, 2nd set, Rafa hits a down the line forehand, and Simon gives an expression that says "Sacre bleu!! what the hell am I supposed to do when he does that?". Love it.

*Both players are frowning fiercely and looks vastly uncomfortable. The Rafarms are glistening with Rafasweat. Oy.

*Damn this broadcast! 2-2 second set, 3rd deuce and Rafa served. Next thing I see Pom's on his back with his racquet clattering away. WHAT HAPPENED!!!

*Second set, Baby Pom up 5-4, Rafa serving next. We might be heading for a tiebreak. Simon is so cute even when he sulks.

*Rafa just saved a set point from Pom with vicious forehands. It's so quick.

*YES!!! 5-5, second set. Baby Pom to serve.

*5-5, 0-15 for Simon. Rafa stopped play to challenge a call on his side of the baseline. It was at least 10 cm out. Rafa got it.

*Rafa breaks! 6-5 for him now.

*Wooohoooo! Rafa takes the set 7-5 with great forehands. VAMOS!

THIRD SET

*Baby Pom breaks. 3-3.

*Pom holds. 4-3.

*Aaaaand the broadcast is seriously crapping out on me.

*Pom holds 5-4. Rafa to serve. Pom got the last 2 points from Rafa's UE. C'mon babe.

*A UE, a double fault, another UE, a rally, and Rafa breaks to 6-5. Baby Pom looks exhausted. And did he say "zhit"???

*Rafa serving for the match. One more game and you can go to a cool air-conditioned room with me acting like an ice towel on top of you.

*Cross court forehand and MATCH POINT!

*WTF??!?! Baby Pom challenged the winning point! LMFAO. It was out. Rafa wins in (close) straight sets. No continental kissing for these two. DAMMIT. Oh well.

Big props to Simon for fighting like a champion. The heat was grueling to say the least. Smooches to Rafa for keeping his concentration. Semis, here we come!

 

Verdasco Tsonga AO 2009

Third set now, each have taken a set, 76, 36 for Ver.

Nando now up 3-0 in the third having just broken Tsonga for the first time.

I can't say both are playing remarkably well. They're playing quite at the same level and it's a pretty close match so far. The winner will face Rafa (oh joy). The roof is closed today, but it still looks to be hellishly hot. Both players are still sweating like mad. Imagine how the officials and the ball boys must feel, covered in that much fabric. I'd have stripped myself nude by now.

Dasco up 4-2 third set, 15 all, and he's playing Tsonga like a string puppet!

Nando takes third set, 63. Stats shows that Tsonga hits 13 winners to Dasco's 6, but he made 12 UE. Not good.

**I have to say, with his biceps bulging from his exertions, Nando looks.. passable. *cringe* I know. I should visit a neurologist.

Nando broke Tsonga to take the 1st game of the 4th set. He's making Tsonga run.

Nando up 3-2 on the 4th, and they have both upped their games. Nando is hitting awesome winners, and Tsonga is responding, but not well enough.

Was it the heat? Was it The Force? Nando wins 7-6(2) 3-6 6-3 6-2. Tsonga hit 46 winners to Dasco's 36, but he also made 40 (!!) UE to Dasco's 29.  Shame, I kinda wanted Tsonga to win. Oh well, I do not see Nando going past Rafa (IF Rafa wins today) so I suppose in the end it's good for me.

Match Stats

Rafa's match starting very soon. *rubs hands together*

Holy Shite

Roger steamrolled Potro 63, 60, 60.

Either Rodge was working some really powerful mojo or Potro lost all control of his admittedly very gangly limbs at the start of the second set.

I wish I was home to watch it. Damn this chinese new year thing.

*shakes fist*

********Yeah, yeah, I know this is supposed to be a blog about Rafa and all his fabulous assets, but since this is a grand slam, and he is still very much in the draw, everything and everyone in it has a certain involvement with him, no? Yes? No?