ARTICLES:
- Nadal Surges Past Murray For 60th Win Of Season (ATP World Tour)
The World No. 5 earned his 60th match win of the year and will look to cap a strong finish to the season with a fifth semi-final berth in seven trips to the Final Showdown. Sitting at 2-0 in Group Ilie Nastase, he awaits the result of the second singles match of the day at The O2, between Stan Wawrinka and David Ferrer. Nadal would advance with a Wawrinka victory or a Ferrer win in three sets.
Nadal isn’t into revenge — he has made that clear before — but topping the Scot in the English capital, where Murray has won Wimbledon and an Olympic gold medal, is sure to boost his morale further.
When things were particularly tough for Nadal this campaign, he resisted calls to tinker with his coaching setup, which is led by his Uncle Toni. But he has visibly made changes on court, such as attempting winners on second-serve returns, flattening his forehand and stepping in on backhands.
Speaking of the right direction, an aggressive Nadal ventured into the net 13 times and won 11 of those points.
“I go to the net when I am confident,” he explained. “I go to the net when I am hitting the ball well; when I’m able to play aggressive. When that happens (it) is because I am playing well.”
“I will return to play the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, a very important tournament in the tennis calendar due to its great tradition on clay court. It is very special for me to compete at home in Spain. Playing in front of my home crowd at my club in Barcelona is very special and gives me extra motivation,” said Nadal, who is currently participating in the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
But he [Murray] denied cutting his hair was symptomatic of any loss of focus ahead of the Davis Cup final next weekend.
The 28-year-old said: “I don’t know why such minor things make such a big deal to you guys. “I had some hair in my eye, and I just wanted to get rid of it. That literally took two seconds. That was it. It was nothing to do with next week or anything to do with the outcome of this match.”
Nadal did not see the incident but reacted with surprise when told about it later. With eyebrow raised, he said: “It was not the right time to know that (his hair was too long). He has practice before to try to know that. It’s a good solution.”
PHOTOS:
- Rafael Nadal & Co Pay Tribute To Lleyton Hewitt At Retirement Ceremony
VIDEOS:
Rafa always looks absolutely adorable in all his pics.
Always with you Rafa <3
What an amazing match to look at today ! Congrats Rafa you even sent Murray to be a barber on court today ! I’m shock he even carry a scissors on court with him ! I think it was inappropriate and unnecessary to do that on court during a match ! a dumb excuse his hair was in his eyes !
Well done Rafa. The skill of your strokes, the acumen with which you chose your strokes in defence and attack and the skill of delivery were a joy to watch. I have been a forever fan…..with good reason. Every good wish. Jean Palmer Winnipeg Manitoba Canada. Born and raised near Wimbledon. London.
Vamos Rafa eres grande
Vamos Rafa! Just finished watching your match as I had to record it. Fantastic Rafa! So happy.
Happy that Rafa is playing in Barcelona again. Vamos Rafa <3 <3 <3