Rafael Nadal recorded his 47th match win of the season at the Swiss Indoors Basel with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Simone Bolelli. Our champ converted four of seven break points and won in 71 minutes. He awaits the winner between Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
EFE/Georgios Kefalas
AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Georgios Kefalas
AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Georgios Kefalas
EFE/Georgios Kefalas
EFE/Georgios Kefalas
EFE/Georgios Kefalas
EFE/Georgios Kefalas
EFE/Georgios Kefalas
REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
EFE/Georgios Kefalas
EFE/Georgios Kefalas
REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
EFE/Georgios Kefalas
EFE/Georgios Kefalas
Rafa played very well in the first set, but then dropped off a bit in the second set when he played more defensively, thinking that would be enough to win the match. That’s a very bad habit of his which he must correct if he wants to reach his full potential as a player. I think he’s reached 90-95% of his potential. He’ll reach 100% when he consistently hits the ball earlier, harder, flatter & deeper on routine rally shots. It’s a good strategy to play defensively when he’s in a defensive position, but far too often he plays defensively when he’s in an offensive position. He gets away with it because he’s such a great scrambler & retriever, but he would make tennis much easier for himself physically by playing offensive tennis whenever he has the opportunity to do so. It would also help him more consistently beat Djokovic, as well as avoid those occasional upsets against the likes of Klizan, Kyrgios & Dolgopolov. As great a player as Rafa has been over the course of his career, I honestly believe he can be even better.
Regardless of how Rafa performs in Basel or Paris, he should have had the appendectomy 2 weeks ago. But, if he wins the trophy in London, and/or finishes the year ranked #1, I’ll gladly admit that he was right to play on, and that I was wrong to tell him not to. VAMOS!!!
Rafa is love! Rafa is life!
So proud of you Rafa. you got Antibiotika, but you played as always with the passion and fire in your eyes. You are the best!
love from Germany! Vamos!
It ‘s just fun to watch Rafa get back into his ‘playing” groove. Delighted to see him figure out
how to beat his opponent without any expectation as a spectator. I know he may not be
100% but Rafa is always a joy to watch. Always the warrior! So much passion!
Welcome Back!
Great Play! You’re “my” King! Always with you…..Vamos Rafa!