In Friday’s third round match, Rafael Nadal will face No. 32 seed Fabio Fognini, who beat Uruguyan Pablo Cuevas 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Date: September 4, 2015
Time: Approximately 8.30 pm EDT – New York, Montreal / September 5 – 1.30 am BST – United Kingdom / September 5 – 2.30 am CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / September 5 – 10.30 am AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Watch online: Fromsport and ATDHE
Rafa has played Fabio seven times before and leads the series 5-2. Our champ lost to the Italian in Rio and Barcelona this year before gaining revenge over him in the Hamburg final in July.
Rafa about Fabio:
He beat me twice this year. He’s a big, talented player. He’s a tough opponent for everybody when he’s playing well.
Matt Cronin for usopen.org:
Fognini likes to run around and whip his low forehands and dive down to smoke his backhands. He can get angry, he can get frustrated, but he can be very happy – if he is winning. The Spaniard and the Italian both know they can be out there for hours at a time. Nadal really needs to use his famous forehand more, and the lefty swung very hard in the first two rounds. He has also twisted his first serves nicely. Because of that, Nadal will grab the win in four sets, but it will go for three hours for sure.
Here are the matches they have played against each other:
| YEAR | EVENT | RND | WINNER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Hamburg Germany Outdoor Clay |
F | Rafael Nadal
75 75
|
| 2015 | Barcelona Spain Outdoor Clay |
R16 | Fabio Fognini
64 766
|
| 2015 | Rio de Janeiro Brazil Outdoor Clay |
SF | Fabio Fognini
16 62 75
|
| 2014 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami FL, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
R16 | Rafael Nadal
62 62
|
| 2013 | Beijing China Outdoor Hard |
QF | Rafael Nadal
26 64 61
|
| 2013 | Roland Garros France Outdoor Clay |
R32 | Rafael Nadal
765 64 64
|
| 2013 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy Outdoor Clay |
R32 | Rafael Nadal
61 63
|
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Source: ATP World Tour
Vamos Rafa! Good luck for the match <3 <3 <3
just go for it ! do your best that his all is asked of you best wishes vamos rafa
You are a true Champion Rafa and will conquer an unpredictable Fognini as you did on your last meeting! Vamos Rafa!
Like rafa himself said, fognini is a dangerous opponent for anyone if he is playing his best, i think nadal has to back up his serve effectively, attack the net all night, thats how i think he will win
You can do it your way Rafael. Only you know what will calm your nervous system down, so think hard in the locker room n do what you feel you have to do. I turned 80 on 25/8/15 n I had a shoulder replacement on 6/8/15. My nervous system is not the best but what helps me is this prayer which I say quietly to myself n it see ms to settle my nerves. “Every day I need you Lord but this day specially I need some extra strength to face whatever is to be. This day more than any other day I need to feel you near, to fortify my courage n to overcome my fear. By myself I cannot face the trials of the hour, there are times when human creatures need a higher power, to help them bear what must be borne, and so dear God I pray, hold on to my trembling hand n be with me today”. Maybe you can sit quietly in your locker room n think of happy things Rafael which also settles the nerves. I keep telling you Rafael that “you’ve been there, done that”. What you n Federer have forgotten, a lot are learning, so be proud of all your achievements n ignore any criticisms. You are loved around the world for the well groomed gentleman that you are, so keep flashing that beautiful smile n go for it. Vamos Rafael. I am going to see you play in the Australian Open! Your Aussie Abuela.
Well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )