ARTICLES:
- Nadal turns win into a loss (via China Open)
If it’s possible to experience a win within a loss, Rafael Nadal did it as he finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic at the China Open.
“After the match I’m more happy than before the match,” Nadal declared following world No.1 Djokovic’s straight-sets victory in the duo’s 45th professional encounter.
“Even if I lost the match 6-2 6-2. It’s strange, but that’s my true feeling.”
- Djokovic Claims Sixth Beijing Crown (via ATP World Tour)
“I’m very happy the way that I played this week, especially because I was able to improve every single match,” said Nadal. “Especially in the quarter-finals after that first set against Sock, I changed that dynamic. I played closer to the baseline. Yesterday I played a good match and today I played a good match.”
- Rafael Nadal sweating over foot injury for Shanghai (via Times of India)
The 14-time Grand Slam-winner called for the trainer during the second set and he faded towards the end of the match as Djokovic strode towards his sixth title in Beijing.
“I have to wait until tomorrow. I felt something, but hopefully it’s fine. I don’t know,” Nadal said.
“My schedule is go to Shanghai tomorrow and practice tomorrow afternoon. For the moment, still the same.”
- Djokovic v Nadal recap (via Sky Sports)
The very first point of the match, with Nadal serving, produced a medium-length rally featuring great defense by Nadal, but penetrating, persistent stroking by Djokovic — until the latter pulled the trigger on a sharp cross-court backhand that Nadal, at full stretch, barely ticked with his racket.
It was just a taste of things to come.
Nadal sometimes looked convincing, running east and west along the baseline, swinging his racket like a bolo, but he was mostly chasing and feeding. His shots too often lacked the critical, requisite degree of penetration. His return never really hurt Djokovic (credit Djokovic’s underrated serve as well on that one), nor did the Nadal serve.
PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal loses China Open final to Novak Djokovic
VIDEOS:
- Rafael Nadal hits tweener against Novak Djokovic
- Beijing 2015 Sunday Highlights (via ATP World Tour)
- China Open Final: Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic – Highlights (via ESPN)
- China Open Final: Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic – Trophy Ceremony (via Sky Sports)
- Story Of The Tournament Beijing 2015 (via ATP World Tour)
rafa dont bother what people say plan ur work and work ur plan and win at least 4 slams vamos
Why did Rafa elect to serve? I thought he preferred to receive to settle into the match. And then Djokovic went and broke him first game!!!
Thought the same thing myself ,,,,,was trying to send a positive message to Novak ?
I hope everything is fine <3
A nice massage will take care of it….. Best wishes ! : )
Not too worried because he was able to continue playing 🙂 so hopefully it will be fine by tomorrow 🙂
Hopefully Rafa is fine.