Rafa wins Wimbledon title
July 7, 2008
Rafael Nadal claimed the Wimbledon title in a dramatic five set thriller. Rafa went two sets up and looked like it was going to be a whitewash. Especially when at 4-4 Nadal at 3 break points. Federer saved them all and went on to win the next two sets in tiebreaks.
The fifth and final set was long, intriguing and was up and down like a yoyo. Until the 15th game. Where Rafa got a crucial break and served out the match to take the Wimbledon title.
Afterwards Rafa said…
“It was the most emotional match I have played in my life. Winning here will stay with me for the rest of my life. Of the four grand slams it is the most traditional. To win here on grass is very special. To win Wimbledon for us Spanish is hard to imagine. I am very happy for me, but sorry for him, because he deserved this title, too.”
Simon Says…
Quite simply the best match I have ever seen. Both players were hitting winners after winners and holding nerve on their serve. But in the end Rafa was too strong. I have to say that he is the best in the world at this moment in time, he has proved that he can play the best on grass and most importantly beat him! I thing I must say is there will never be a better final played than this, EVER!
Murray defeated by favourite Nadal
July 3, 2008
Rafael Nadal powered on in Wmbledon with a brilliant display against home favourite Andy Murray. Rafael’s ground strokes were just too much for Murray and the Scot couldn’t get a grip hold in the match. Nadal won easily 6-3, 6-2,6-4.
After the match he said…
“If I play like I did against Andy, especially the second set, there are not a lot of things. With the second half of the first set and especially the second set, this was probably my best match here. I think I’m doing a lot of things better than last year. The slice is better. My position on court is better. I’m playing more aggressive with the forehand all the time, and the backhand is feeling good.”
Simon Says…
Although Murray said he wasn’t tired I think he was. He didn’t lift the crowd too much and was missing easy shots. It didn’t help when Nadal was hitting the ball deep and hard to put Murray under even more pressure. Rafa has got a huge chance has got a huge chance to win this tournament especially if he plays like he did today.
Rafa wins at Wimbledon
June 25, 2008
Rafael Nadal cruised to a straight sets victory in his first round match against Andreas Beck. The Spaniard won 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 to earn a place in the second round.
Rafa spoke about his victory…
”He was another leftie and his second serve was difficult to read. He served to the body and that was hard for me. But in the tiebreak I hit some good forehands. It was a strange match. There weren’t many points from the baseline and I play mostly from the baseline.”
Rafa will be thrilled with the win and he now faces talented young Latvian Ernests Gulbis after he defeated favored American John Isner.
Simon Says…
I really want Nadal to win this year, I think he is ready to overtake Roger at the top and be World number one. The way he goes about himself on and off the court is unbelievable and his power and shots that he makes are great to watch. The Gulbis match should be good and with Djokovic in the other draw Rafa should get in the final for the third time running.
Rafael Nadal wins the Queens Open
June 16, 2008
Rafael Nadal played superbly to win his first ever title on grass. Rafa defeated number 3 seed Novak Djokovic in two sets 7-6, 7-5. Judging by this performance it will not be his last. His powerful groundstrokes were just too good for Novak and he looked quite comfortable throughout.
Afterwards he said…
“To win the title here was very important for me. I have now won on all surfaces. This will probably give me more confidence. You never know what’s going to happen at Wimbledon and, if I keep playing well like this, I have a chance to get a good result. I’ve beaten some good players this week, such as Ivo Karlovic, Andy Roddick and Djokovic. I’m very pleased.”
Simon Says…
I honestly think that Rafael Nadal is going to defeat Roger Federer at Wimbledon. Nadal is proving that he can adapt to certain surfaces and that he can play on grass. The only problem is that he may come up against Novak Djokovic, which could spell disaster. Who thinks Roger is going to win Wimbledon…?
Murray forced to pull out
June 13, 2008
Andy Murray has had a huge scare before Wimbledon after pulling out if his quarterfinals match with Andy Roddick. Murray pulled out due to a sprained thumb, during his match with Gulbis he had numerous falls on the slippery centre court and asked the umpire if they could get off the court due to dangerous play.
Murray spoke about his departure…
“I woke up this morning and couldn’t pick up my pillow, I was struggling to pick up my phone, I took another anti-inflammatory, came down here and tried to practice, hit some balls. I had a scan and I haven’t pulled anything, just sprained it a bit. It’s obviously not terrible but it’s just too sore to try and play a match. ”
Andy Roddick will now meet Rafael Nadal after he beat Ivo Karlovic in three sets 6-7,7-6,7-6.
Rafa wins French Open
June 8, 2008
The King of clay Rafael Nadal destroyed World number one Roger Federer in the final of the French Open. The Spaniard won the match in straight sets 6-1,6-3,6-0 to claim his fourth consecutive title at Roland Garros.
Roger could not find his rhythm…
The Swiss made too many unforced errors and his volleying was poor on the day. Every time he came to the net, he seemed to either knock it long or hit the net. He became very frustrated with himself because he knew that was not going to win the title for another year.
Rafa’s class…
The Spaniard proved why he is the best with some outstanding groundstrokes and winners. He always made Federer play that one extra shot and it proved because by the final set he was tired and began to lose his concentration.
The win puts the Spaniard in the same class of Bjorn Borg who also won four consecutive titles.
Nadal crushes Djokovic
June 7, 2008
World number 2 Rafael Nadal put in a superb display to defeat World number 3 Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard won the match in straight sets 6-4,6-2,7-6. Novak almost won the third set after being 3-0 down and two breaks. He broke back and showed great spirit in the final part of the match.
How did Rafa rate his performance…
“I was very dominant, I could put the ball anywhere. I didn’t think I could make mistakes — that was key. The level of the first two sets was almost perfect, so I am very happy about that. This was my best match at Roland Garros this year — so far.”
The Spaniard went on to talk about the final…
“I’ve played a great tournament and I’m going to do everything to reach the summit.”
Rafael Nadal now looks to Roger Federer in what will be the third time in a row they have faced eachother in the final.
Djokovic stumbles into semi’s
June 4, 2008
World number three Novak Djokovic put in an under-par display to dispatch young Latvian Ernests Gulbis in three sets 7-5,7-6,7-5. Novak played good points when he needed to put knows that if he wants to challenge Rafael Nadal in the semi’s he will have to lift his game dramatically if he wants a place in the final.
Novak Djokovic failed to convert his chances through out the match and had numerous break points which were not taken. Gulbis will feel he missed a good chance of beating Novak because the Serb couldn’t get anything going. He became very frustrated with himself and it was clearly visable he wasn’t on top form.
Djokovic now waits until friday to pitt himself against the “king of clay” Rafael Nadal.
Rafa’s domination on clay continues
June 2, 2008
Rafael Nadal secured his 25th consecutive win at Roland Garros with a blistering display to defeat fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. The World number 2 conceded just 3 games in winning 6-1,6-0,6-2.
How the match went..
Nadal was always in control of the match and Verdasco who defeated World number 15 Mikhail Youzhny in the 3rd round had no answers to Nadal’s hard hitting ground strokes. During the match things got worse for Verdasco has he suffered an injury which didn’t help his cause as he looked for an unlikely comeback. He continued and began to shake off his injury but by then the match had gone and Rafa was in the Quarters.
This win means Nadal is still on course to win his fourth consecutive French Open and equal Bjorn Borg’s record.
Rafa cruises through again
May 30, 2008
Rafael Nadal had no problems in dispatching the number 26th seed Jarkko Nieminen in the 3rd round of the French Open. Rafa dominated the finn and the scored proved it as he romped to 6-1,6-3,6-1.
Rafa cruised through the first set in just 35 minutes and Jarkko had no answers to the Spaniards powerful ground strokes. Jarkko then put up a mini fight back in the second after being broken by the Spaniard he broke back and held his own serve to lead 3-2 in the second set. But Rafa regained control and won the next four games to win the set 6-3. The final set was very easy for Rafa and Jarkko new he was beaten and didn’t but up much of a fight.
Next up for Rafa..
Rafa has a tough game next as he either comes up againt the 15th seed Youzhny or 22nd seed Verdasco. It will a good test for Nadal as he looks to win his fourth cosecutive French Open.
