BARCELONA OPEN: Nalby Withdraws, Rafa Through To Semis

Not that he wouldn't if Nalby didn't, but I'm kinda glad he's got a bit of rest before he goes against Kolya.

On day 4, Rafa beat Rochus 62, 60. 

Btw, Kolya is seriously impressing me with his comeback. Months out with injuries and he's waded in to the deepest part of the pool without missing a beat. He might be my second Ginge. I think I have to come up with a name. I'll let you guys know.

This image was taken yesterday, and it made me a little bit sad.

He's trying so hard, no?

Maybe it's just my medicine talking.

(Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

What Did I Say? G-R-I-M

I said the look of Rafa's female fans during the Nalbandian match was grim didn't I? Well for those of you who didn't get to see the match either by choice (I'm looking at you, Neil) or because of the stupid broadcasting move by FSN, this is the match in a few short minutes. Grim females included.



I love, love the color of that jacket. I would totally wear it. And the man too.

*video by luneworld

Indian Wells: Rafa Tripped, But Didn't Fall Against Nalbandian

I planned on doing a new format of "as it happened" coverage for this match, but alas I am a sleepyhead and I overslept. By 2 hours. I really thought I have missed it, but when I fired up the live stream it was 1-1 on the second set. Nalby took the first 63.

You know I always thought Nalby *could* be good looking if only he didn't look so greasy. No? Alrighty then.

The second set was really tough to watch if you're a Rafa fan. It was one of those matches where Rafa couldn't put the ball anywhere Nalby couldn't reach and Nalby just made Rafa run to the ground. He was winning points and holding with almost no effort. But thing started to change when the scoreline was 3-5, and Rafa was serving to stay in the match. It was a difficult hold, but he managed.



5-4, Nalby serving for the match. Rafa saved 5 match points before he dug deep and finally breaks.. From that game onwards Nalby managed to fit a double fault in every service game. Rafa held the next game, 6-5. He ended up taking the set in tie break. 

Boy, the look on Rafa's female fans during that set was g-r-i-m. I guess I shouldn't talk so much because undoubtedly that was how I looked like during that set, if I bothered to look in the mirror.

After that epic second set, Nalby just crumbled like a badly made patisserie. By 3-0 in the third my dogs were starting to give me really nasty looks because I haven't set out their meal.

I'm sorry babe, but you vs Rafa... it's complicated.

Rafa won the match 36, 76(5), 60.



All in all it was a tense match with 2 medical time outs from Rafa (just some taping, didn't look like blisters flared up again) and really, really bad music. I mean YMCA? Dude, I know it was crunch time for both players, but really, there's no excuse. 

If I find more post worthy pic of the match, I will put it up. Meanwhile, please share my suffering and play this song over and over again in your head. 

Young man, there's no need to feel down. 
I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground. 
I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town 
There's no need to be unhappy.