ARTICLES:
- Nadal Ends Kokkinakis Challenge (via ATP)
… World No. 1 Rafael Nadal ended home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis’ run at the Australian Open on Thursday, defeating the 17 year old 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round.
- Rafael Nadal v Thanasi Kokkinakis: Australian Open 2014 – as it happened (via The Guardian)
… “I really think he has fantastic potential,” says Nadal of his vanquished opponent. He’s joking and laughing with Todd Woodbridge, but is full of praise for the Aussie. “He has all the ingredients to be a fantastic player,” adds the 2009 Champ.
- Invaluable lesson from world no. 1 Rafael Nadal for South Aussie teen Thanasi Kokkinakis (via Herald Sun)
… Nadal’s fist pump on averting the crisis said plenty about the respect the Spanish bull has for Kokkinakis’s game. From there, Nadal ruthlessly hunted down his young foe to secure a third-round clash with either French 25th seed Gael Monfils or American Jack Sock for a place in the fourth round.
- Nadal gana con aire acondicionado (via El Pais)
… “Jugué un gran primer set, y cometí algunos errores en el segundo. Acabé bien”, dijo el español. “Thanasi tiene un potencial fantástico, todos los ingredientes para ser un jugador fantástico”
- Del Potro crashes out, Nadal & Federer advance (via ESPN)
- Federer wins rare match on Hisense; Nadal defeats 17-year-old Aussie (via tennis.com)
- Thanasi Kokkinakis Interviews Rafael Nadal (via Tennis Now)
… Though he’s only 17, Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis has proven he has major star power. Check out his conversation with Rafael Nadal before their second round matchup.
- Rafael Nadal pranks his fans at the Australian Open (via tumblr.com) Funny Rafa 🙂
ICYMI: An interview with Rafael Nadal (full transcript)
PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal defeats Thanasi Kokkinakis in R2 at the Australian Open
VIDEOS:
- Rafael Nadal press conference (2R) – Rafa comments on his serve and level of play. (via ausopen.com)
- Highlights: Nadal v Kokkinakis (via Eurosport)
- Nadal praises youngster Kokkinakis – Rafa said opponent Thanasi Kokkinakis has the potential to be the member of a big new generation in tennis (via Eurosport)
- Nadal: Outdoors ‘impossible’ – Rafa admits he was relieved that his 2nd round match was played indoors (via Eurosport)
- El calor de Melbourne preocupa a Nadal – Las altas temperaturas que se están viviendo en Melbourne, donde se han llegado a suspender partidos en la jornada del jueves debido al sofocante calor, también preocupan a Rafa Nadal, que en rueda de prensa analizó su victoria ante Kokkinakis y sus sensaciones tras los primeros días de torneo en el Grand Slam australiano. (via Eurosport)
- Thanasi Kokkinakis asks his 2nd question to Rafa Nadal (via Babolat Australia Facebook)
- Day 4: the best bits – 2014 Australian Open (via AO YouTube)
Rafa, GOD BLESS an GOOD LUCK!!!!!!