ARTICLES:

• Nadal vows to be more aggressive after surviving Baghdatis (via Eurosport)

Two-times Wimbledon champion Rafa Nadal began his grass-court season with a 7-6(5) 6-7(4) 6-2 defeat of Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart.

• Nadal Survives Baghdatis Clash; Tomic Ends Haas’ Comeback (via ATP World Tour)

“It was a little bit of a strange match,” said Nadal. “I’m happy to be through. It’s an important victory for me. The first match on grass is always very difficult… At the beginning I didn’t play my best, but I finished the match much better than how I started.”

• Nadal Reaches Stuttgart Quarterfinals with Win over Baghdatis (via Tennis Now)

Nadal rallied from a break down to claim the first set from Baghdatis, but the Cypriot turned the tables on the Spaniard in the second set, fighting back from a break down to force a tiebreaker. After falling behind 3-2, Baghdatis won five of six points to clinch the breaker and force the dedider. After saving 12 break points in the first two sets Nadal did not face another in the third. Despite six aces from Baghdatis in the decider, Nadal was able to break two times on five opportunities to achieve the victory. Nadal improved his career record on grass to 54-15 with the victory. He owns three career titles on the surface (two at Wimbledon and one at Queen’s).

• Nadal empieza de nuevo (via tennistopic.com)

“El objetivo principal es ir a buscar la pelota más dentro de la pista”, resumió Roig antes del estreno del español. “Buscar tiros un poco más rectos y anticipándose. Hemos trabajado para que no rote tanto la derecha, para que trata de aguantar con la mano más abierta, sin girarla tanto”, añadió. “Además, hemos entrenado mucho el saque y el resto, también el revés cortado y la volea. Y jugando siempre bien flexionado. Movimientos de hierba y tiros rápidos en situaciones difíciles”, explicó el técnico catalán, que como todos los años se ha encargado de pilotar la transición de Nadal desde la tierra hasta la hierba, un reto nuevo para el español en 2015 por la cantidad de torneos que disputará.

• Fifty parting thoughts from the 2015 French Open (via SI.com)

I feel like this issue has been discussed enough already, but a few thoughts on the Carlos Bernardes and Rafael Nadal situation. … You’re the chair umpire, imbued with discretion. You’re not letting him leave the court to change? Really?

• Rafael Nadal to compete at Sportime Randall’s Island in support of Johnny Mac Tennis Project on August 26th (via John McEnroe Tennis Academy)
• 2015 The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes – #22 Rafael Nadal (via Forbes)

PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal beats Marcos Baghdatis in Stuttgart

VIDEOS:

• Highlights: Rafael Nadal survives Marcos Baghdatis test (via Eurosport)
• Full Match: Rafael Nadal vs Marcos Baghdatis (via Tennis Best)
• Nadal v Baghdatis: last game & post-match interview (via HD Tennis TV)
• Toni Nadal Interview before Rafa’s match (via Mercedes Cup)
• Rafael Nadal Stars In New Ad For Mapfre
• Rafael Nadal Attends 2015 Stuttgart Player Party
• Rafael Nadal attends Ladies’ Day in Stuttgart