World No. 5 Rafael Nadal advanced to the semifinals of the Rio Open without hitting a ball after Alexandr Dolgopolov withdrew due to a right shoulder injury.
Rafa will take on 45th-ranked Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas, who defeated Federico Delbonis 6-4, 7-6(4).
Date: February 20, 2016
Match time: Approximately 8.30 PM local time / 10.30 PM GMT – United Kingdom / 11.30 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 5.30 PM EST – New York, Montreal / February 21, 9.30 AM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Watch online: 3pmstream
Rafa and Pablo will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers. Last year they faced off in the quarter-final of the Rio Open, with our champ coming out on top, winning that encounter in three sets.
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Hamburg Germany |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Rafael Nadal |
63 62
|
| 2015 | Rio de Janeiro Brazil |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Rafael Nadal |
46 75 60
|
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
I’m a 59 year old woman, and a crazy Rafa fan from the first day! But the last events make me not only sad but angry! Every champion, every team must change something, if you are in a situation like Rafa! Rafa can’t always say ” i only lost a opportunity”! I think that he should have a little bit more respekt from his fans and change something in his team or stop his carrier! To see Ra fa in this disperate conditions, is a terrible thing for every Rafa fan. So it can’t go on! What thinks Rafas father Sebastian about? He woud be the right person to say to his brother and Rafas uncle TONI to go and to let Rafa free!!!!
Any Rafa fan out there who still try to find some positives in Rafa game is blind and does not want to face reality as Rafa himself. Rafa need to add a legend to his coaching staff for a change, i just can’t believe that he still takes his losses with a grain of positivity and tries to congratulate his opponents for playing a great match. Rafa c’mon, you are wasting your career and you have the opportunity to catch Federer gs numbers. Why wouldn’t you try something different?
Toni is the best coach in the world. All these loses is just a tactic to lull Djokovic into sense of false security. Rafa will destroy Djokovic in 2016 FO.
Sorry but thats just burying your head into the sand just like Rafa….He’s too competitive to lose deliberately, face the facts somethings got to change and very soon.
Here’s another great article that backs up everything I’ve been saying about Rafa’s coaching situation – http://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/599413-australian-open-loss-confirms-that-rafael-nadal-needs-a-new-coach.html – the best article I’ve seen on the subject. Tonight’s devastating loss to Cuevas is just further confirmation that a coaching change is the ONLY thing that can save Rafa’s career. Toni’s gotta go. Whether voluntarily or involuntarily, he’s just gotta go.
Down the page I posted two more excellent articles about Rafa’s problems. Very much worth reading. They’re right on point.
if rafa is so adamant abut change then uncle toni must take initiative for rafa to persuade him for adding new member to the team else should step down with family reason
else time will pass by like a wind …….
after one and half year rafa find himself with same issue of confidence …however this time with his forehand shot
he is playing good on important points this days
tennis is nothing without rafa ………….tennis needs u…………
we need u …………so badly
Nadal on his loss
I lost an opportunity, that’s it,”. “I fought until the end. I have to accept it and keep working to try to change the dynamic. That’s what’s happening today and I have to work hard to change it.
“I didn’t win a title, so it wasn’t a positive two tournaments. I had my chances in both. I lost in the semi-finals of both tournaments and just have to look forward to Indian Wells.”
u need to change dynamic by having new ideas with new member
the only good thing in the was rafa defence and it.will.sure will get more better with confidence coming back
its his defence and some good backhands he was holding the match for 2 and half hour but without ur puch shot nothing seems to be happening
yes cuevas served well in 3 rd set
but rafa should have completed in straight sets
More than 20 unforced error on forehand side for rafa
are u joking me
That’s it ….after todays match i have to say though i always feel that its rafa who have to decide whether he want new member to his team or not but after watching todays match i am really wants rafa to get some new ideas to bring his confidence back ….
rafa was hanging in the match just sheer on his solid defence and he was more relying on his backhands which was good but not enough to damage the opponent
i am saying this because in think rafa completly lost his confidence ….he seems to be helpless …..having no idea what to do
i mean he was not able to play 2 3 good shots conistently …..
rhe big problem is he lost complete confidence on his best shot….just mere commiting to forehand is not enough, u actually needs to find the right position to hit it
in old days when rafa producing good forehands he use to constantly look for right position , and he dont end up on that he actually use to create that right position to hit the imside out forehand or down the lime forehand or forehand on his back hand side
Today he plays down the line backhand shot which he once dictates with his forehand
I really thought that just playing more matches will bring the confidence back
but now i am completly of the view that just mere playing and not focussing the root problem of confidence on his best shot will be diastorous to his carrer
Rafa i am in pain watching u play like this
now rafa must not take his racquet in hand for 1 month , he should go to holidays and give himself time to think on his game and time to add new member to his team
i just love to watch u play but this way it is really painful
i am saying beacause u r now conistently losing on ur favourite surface against not so great player
U were great in doha but ao 16 loss dented ur confidence
Please listen rafa please
its.my humble request to u
About to hear : “Rafa didn’t play bad, it was just Cuevas played too good. He played like Djokovic. Uncle Toni wants the best for Rafa but but”.
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) You played great & it was a tight match……..You had everything going & there will be other opportunities!!!!!!!!!!!!! God bless you sweetheart & please know this was a great match with many fantastic back & forth……so please hold your head high & enjoy your efforts & hard work !!!!!!! VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Good night sweetheart & sweet dreams!!!!! Lots of love & VAMOS for the next tour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
VAMOS DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Great energy heading to 3rd set !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Rafa you are playing GREAT !!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Go…………………..GO……………………..GO…………………… ! 🙂
Hey Fan love: Why don’t you say ” VAMOS Rafa you are playing GREAT !!!!!!!!! : ) You beautifully lost the 2nd set”?
Seriously get a damn life.
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Breaking back to 5:5 2nd SET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Go RAFA GO !!!!!! : )
YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Rafa just beautifully won the 1st SET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) YOU ARE SO GOOD IN TIE BREAKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU ARE PLAYING GREAT DEAR RAFA & YOU ARE THE MUCH BETTER PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) GO…………………………GO………………………GO……………………….. ! : ) Lots of love & VAMOS all the way !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Oh Rafa what’s going on its heartbreaking to see
Another top coach agrees with my long-running assertion that Rafa is not playing nearly aggressively enough and Toni is largely to blame for that – http://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/599956-mouratoglou-rafael-nadal-has-lost-his-defence.html
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Rafa is leading 3;0 1sr SET & playing aggressive & fast!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART…………GO…………… : ) GO…………….. : ) GO……………..: )
VAMOS DEARA RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Rafa’s match is about to begin!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 1/4 match is being displayed till court is ready ………… YOUR TENNIS IS MAGNIFICENT DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Have a great time playing your magic & enjoy mixing your beautiful serve & magnificent shots !!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) ci…..ci…..ci…. VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GO…………GO……………GO……………&
I could never in a million years imagine Roger’s coach saying that about Rafa’s forehand. If he did, Roger would fire him in a heartbeat. And rightly so.
Toni says he likes Roger’s forehand more than Rafa’s.
SMH
No wonder Rafa’s confidence is in the toilet.
This article says it all – http://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/605556-toni-nadal-if-i-werent-his-coach-rafael-nadal-would-have-changed-coaches.html – and validates what I’ve been saying for years about Toni needing to step aside to make room for a REAL coach, instead of hanging on to Rafa like a bloodsucking leech.
Best of luck to Rafael
OLA & VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 : ) : ) : ) Have a beautiful day & have fun enjoying your time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) We are excited for you & look forward to seeing you play!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) Your Tennis is AMAZING DEAR RAFA & STRONG……… & YOUR SHOTS ARE STUNNING full of spirit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Your reach is unbelievable & so is your speedy movement & coverage of the court……. Very happy for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Have lots & lots & lots of fun playing & it will be a GREAT MATCH FOR YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Lots of love & happiness !!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
Yes, hope for an easy match too and a good win against whoever and win the final, why not, he can do it.Vamos
Good luck for today. Vamos Rafa <3 <3 <3
The weather looks iffy today in Rio with more thunderstorms. I hope Rafa’s match and will not be interrupted. Obviously hoping for an easy win for him in two sets.