TennisToday

Rafael Nadal Wins 7th Title at Rome

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's Final

5 Rafael Nadal d 2 Roger Federer - 61 63

I think we can stop calling this a comeback already. He's beyond back.

In 8 tournaments this year he's gone to all 8 finals and won 6 of them.

Including 3 Masters 1000's (IW, Madrid & Rome) and 2 500 events.

After his Sf win he moved to #1 in points earned in 2013.

This is Rafa's 7th time biting the trophy at Rome.

This is his 56th ATP title and 24th at the Masters 1000 level.

Of his 56 titles a whopping 30 have come from 4 tournaments:

Monte-Carlo 8; Barelona 8; Rome 7 & French Open 7.

And he's a good and safe bet to make it 8 in Paris.

And the win moved Rafa up to #4 and rightfully Spain's #1.

He also improved his H2H against Federer to 20-10.

Post match: If you told me four or five months ago that after eight

tournaments I would have won six titles from eight finals,

I would say you are crazy. To win three Master 1000 and two 500

tournaments is more than I ever dreamed.

His Rafanatics can say that too.

***

Rafa also got some dopey GQ style award this week too:

Rafael Nadal Wins Match #29 Over Rival Roger Federer at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Quarterfinal

5 Rafael Nadal d 2 Roger Federer - 64 62

Rafa improves his mastery over Rog to 19-10 in their H2H.

And he pulled even in matches played on hard court: 6-6.

Out of respect Rafa did not celebrate this victory after match point.

It was painfully obvious that Roger was not playing at 100%.

I mean, Gimelstob used the word 'compromised' for Rog a million times.

It became a tequilla shot game in my head. So annoying.

Post match: I played a fantastic first set, in my opinion.

The second set was strange.

The second set, I think Roger didn't fight as usual.

He probably had some problems and he didn't feel enough comfortable

to keep fighting. Both of us tried to play our best. I played much better

than yesterday. My movements today were much, much better than

yesterday, so I'm very happy for that, especially after a long match

yesterday, to be able to compete well the next day.

He gets Tomas Berdych in the semis on Saturday.

Tough one but I'm going full-stop vamos.

Photo: Pinched from Rafa's Facebook.

Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal to Meet in Quarterfinal Blockbuster at Indian Wells

Tonight we are getting Roger vs Rafa edition 29. H2H: 18-10/Rafa.

On hard courts they are 6-5/Roger.

They both went to 7-5 in the 3rd in their previous matches.

They have only met before the Sf's one other time - Miami '04. Rafa won.

This is the 1st time they've played since the Sf here last year. Roger won.

This is also the most Slams on a court in the history of men's tennis: 28.

I've canceled all plans tonight as I'll have a date with the Tennis Channel.

***

About the photo: Ana, Rafa, Roger, Vika & Nole...

Breaking ground on the new court 2 at Indian Wells. Ready for 2014.

Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal Bump into Each Other at Indian Wells

And they are seeded to bump into each other in the quarterfinals as well.

That would represent match #29. H2H: 18-10/Rafa.

Tho Roger has a tricky draw to get there & who knows how Rafa will play.

But everyone is looking toward it. Me included.

***

Rafa's 7 month injury layoff caused him to fall to #5 in the rankings.

And he really has no room to move up to #4 before Roland Garros.

Ferrer would have to fall apart in the next couple of months...

And Rafa only has Madrid to add points to his ranking.

This clay court season is going to be very interesting.

Very interesting indeed.

Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer Win Openers at Halle

ATP 250 Halle - Second Round

1 Rafael Nadal d Lukas Lacko - 75 61

2 Roger Federer d Florian Mayer - 64 75

Rafa - no rest for the weary as he makes the transition from clay to grass.

Remember: Only 3 days ago he won his 7th Roland Garros title.

Only once has he gone from the RG title to winning the Wimbledon tune-up.

That was at Queen's Club in '08. He also went on to win Wimby that year.

***

Roger is a 5-time champ at Halle: '03-'06 & '08.

If we're being honest tho most of the big guns always play at Queens Club.

He'll next face a tough one in Raonic - H2H: 2-0/RF.

Remember: Milos came within a point of beating him last time they played.

***

If Rafa & Roger were to meet in the final it would be match #29.

Their H2H is 18-10 in Rafa's favor but Roger won the last match at IW.

After Rafa's RG title he also moved ahead of Rog in Facebook fans.

But he's tops in Halle - look, they even named a street for him:

Rafael Nadal Beats Roger Federer to Gain Madrid Final

Madrid Masters Series 1000 - Semifinal

1 Rafael Nadal d 3 Roger Federer - 57 61 63

Truth be told, this one was not the highest quality of their matches.

But in the end Rafa prevailed lifting his H2H against Rog to 16-8.

Quick rematch: They are seeded to meet in the Sf's at Rome next week.

Rafa's clay streak extends to 37 - his last loss was the 4th R at RG in '09.

Rafa will be seeking a 3rd title in Madrid in his 4th final round showing.

This marks his 28th trip to a Masters 1000 final: 19-8.

Of note: Rafa's made the finals of all 4 Masters 1000 events so far this year.

Remember, he lost at Indian Wells & Miami to Nole and won Monte Carlo.

Vamos Rafa.

Photo: Getty Images

ATP Uncovered: Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer Talk about Their Legendary Rilvary

Here is a cute couple minutes with our two tennis titans.

I want Justin Gimelstob's life.

Rafael Nadal Thumps Roger Federer in Miami Semifinal

Miami ATP Masters Series - Semifinal

1 Rafael Nadal d 3 Roger Federer - 63 62

Tough day for Roger and his fans as he was thoroughly outplayed tonight.

But for Rafanatics it was a thrill to see their man in full-flight.

Dominant: Rafa's 1st serve was at 82% winning 35 of 45 total points on serve.

Rafa increases his H2H against Roger to 15-8.

Odd: This was only their 5th meeting before the final - making it 3-2/RN.

Miami is the only place Rafa and Roger have met in the United States.

Their 1st 2 ever matches were at Miami where they split them in '04 & '05.

Rafa leveled their H2H on hard courts to 4-4 today.

Also, Rafa bettered his results at both Indian Wells & Miami from last year.

He will face Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final - a rematch of IW 2 weeks ago.

Novak got the better of him last time...

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer Cross Paths on the Practice Courts at the Australian Open

Imagine how Melbourne would've imploded if they practiced together?

Roger Federer CNN Interview: Pressure for Breakfast

Roger speaks with great insight on his rivalry with Rafa here too:

Roger Federer Wins Doha Title and Set's Himself Up at the Favorite at the Australian Open

Doha ATP 250 - Men's Final

2 Roger Federer d 4 Nikolay Davydenko - 63 64

Roger wins his 3rd title in Doha and 67th ATP singles trophy overall.

And did so in amazing fashion - Niko never once pushed him to deuce.

In fact, Roger saved all 7 break points he faced this entire tournament.

AND: 6 of those 7 BP's were in his 1st round match.

***

So, if I'm a betting man I'd surely wager on Roger for the Aussie Open.

Since the US Open he has certainly become the class of the field.

Roger has won 4 of the 6 tournaments he has entered - Rafa only 1 of 5.

Ranking points since the US Open: Roger = 3,490, Rafa = 1,770.

Add to that the serving stats I mentioned before - and well...

I'm not hating on Rafa but surely these stats scream at a high volume.

Photo: Reuters

ATP Doha Preview: The Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer Bestie Tour Continues

As we long suspected - they do walk on water.

Rafa will open against Karol Beck and has Ernests Gulbis in his quarter.

Nikolay Davydenko's in his half - he beat Rafa in the final last year down MP.

Rafa is also playing doubles with Marc Lopez. They won the title in 2009.

Roger opens against a qualifier with a potential Qf with Viktor Troicki.

Can Viktor carry is fine year-end form into the new season?

Roger's seeded for a Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sf - who is just back from injury.

Last year Roger lost in the Sf's to Nikolay Davydenko.

Rafa & Roger are the only top 10 players in Doha.

Count on yet another Rafa/Roger match next weekend.

As the 'Bestie Tour' then looks toward the Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal Wins Exhibition Title at Abu Dhabi

The score today: Rafael Nadal d Roger Federer - 76(4) 76(3)

The pair have now played 4 matches in the last 6 or so weeks.

They've split them 2-2... yea, sure 3 of them have been in exhibition play.

But I have a feeling we may just see them play 2 more times in January.

I mean, are you gonna bet against them meeting in Doha or Melbourne?

Rafa Slam: Seems fitting for Rafa to have to go thru Roger, no?

This is the best highlight video I've ever seen:

Photo: Reuters

Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer to Meet in Abu Dhabi Final

WELL HAPPY NEW YEAR TENNIS FANS!

Sadly, I'll be sleeping one off and won't be able to watch.

Today's Semifinal results:

Roger Federer d Robin Soderling - 67(3) 63 63

Rafael Nadal d Tomas Berdych - 64 64

A pair of fun looking scores that ultimately led to the inevitable:

A Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer popcorn match in the UAE.

They also have the chance to meet twice more in January...

As both are playing next week in Doha and later at the Aussie Open.

Do you see anyone really ready to step up and dethrone them?

Yea, me either.

Semifinals All Set at Abu Dhabi Exihibition

Today matches looked to be entertaining and went like this:

Tomas Berdych d Marcos Baghdatis - 63 36 75

Robin Soderling d Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 64 67(5) 61

***

So the semifinals tomorrow look mouthwateringly like this:

Rafael Nadal vs Tomas Berdych

Roger Federer vs Robin Soderling

***

Yea, Rafa and Roger will surely give us a Happy New Year!

Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer sure seem to be besties these days, no?

The two giants of our sport participated in a kids event in Abu Dhabi today.

Damn, lucky kids.

We may just start this New Year off right Saturday - with a Rafa/Roger final.

If so, lucky us.

Roger Federer gets Downright Goofy as Rafael Nadal gets Completely Ducked

Loved the 2 exo's but the wins were obvs pre-determined.

I think they should play a 'for real' 3rd charity match on neutral territory.

Berlin could use some Rafa/Roger love, no?

Just a thought.

Rafael Nadal Beats Roger Federer at the Exo in Madrid

Match for Africa, Part 2 - Madrid

Rafael Nadal d Roger Federer - 76(3) 46 61

Well, duh.

Lovely couple of matches tho. Thanks guys.

All told they were raised about 5 million for their charities in 2 matches.

Roger after the match: Whenever he needs me I'll be there for him.

Sweet.

See you again in a couple weeks.

 

Watch the last couple of games:

Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer take Their Charity Exo Road Show to Madrid Today

Hmm, Roger wins in Zurich... Ya think Rafa wins a 3-setter in Madrid?

Really, who cares - our boys are raising a lot of money for Africa.

***

If yesterday's match is any indication we should be in for another treat.

High level and no giggles.

Let this usher in a new era of exhibition tennis.

Roger Federer Beats Rafael Nadal at Exo in Zurich

Exhibition - Match for Africa in Zurich

Roger Federer d Rafael Nadal - 46 63 63

This was not your normal exo folks. This was all business. Thank you.

The match raised 2.5 million Swiss Francs for the Roger Federer Foundation.

***

Roger: This is a special match for me, which I will remember forever.

I'm just so proud and so happy that we all made it work.

At the end of the day the outcome is so not important ...

This money is going to go to a really good cause!

***

Question to Rafa: Roger's beaten you twice in a row. Do you still like him?

Rafa's answer: A little bit less.

***

Ok boys, have fun in Madrid tomorrow for part two.

Wanna revisit a few great points of the match:

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images