Flat-hitting Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov is Rafael Nadal’s first-round opponent at the Brisbane International.
Date: January 3, 2017
Match time: Approximately 8.30 PM local time / 5.30 AM EST – New York, Montreal / 10.30 AM GMT – United Kingdom / 11.30 AM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 9.30 PM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa:
I’m looking forward to competing and to see the great centre court that everybody, all the players, say is so special. This year I decided to be here in Australia; I have a good connection with the people here in Australia.
I like to know different places. It’s true that Doha worked well for me in the past, but here in Brisbane is something that probably will help me to adapt quicker to the Australian conditions that are always a little bit tougher in terms of weather.
Rafa leads the pair’s head-to-head ledger 5-2 but Dolgopolov claimed their two most recent encounters – at Indian wells in 2014 and Queen’s Club in 2015.
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Rio de Janeiro Brazil |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Rafael Nadal |
W/O
|
| 2015 | London / Queen’s Club Great Britain |
Outdoor Grass | R32 | Alexandr Dolgopolov | |
| 2014 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Alexandr Dolgopolov | |
| 2014 | Rio de Janeiro Brazil |
Outdoor Clay | F | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2013 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai China |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2012 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2011 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami FL, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2010 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
Our champ appears to be healthy and hitting well; so let’s hope he will go far away Down Under.
Good luck & Vamos Rafa!
Source: ATP World Tour
A sold out roar and applause for Rafa walking on to the court….Love to see him enter and hear how popular he is! Such a positive start for 2017! He looks so good…think he shed a few pounds( that’s what the Commentator said) and he just looks healthy and happy! Lots of smiling! I did not see Carlos in his box…One article says he came others say he did not come. Whatever he has one trophy and one match down…not too shabby! VAMOS RAFA!
RAFA ROCKS 👍👍👍👍👍🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨(your latest fan, koala Dian)🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🐨🍾🍾🍾🍾♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️Get some 💤💤💤💤💤💤💤 for Thusday’s win.👍👍👍👍😘😘😘😘😘🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🇺🇸Cheering for you.🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
RAFA ROCKS
May need to take you up on that maria. Thank you so much
Your welcome Susie, next match is Thursday don’t know the time yet , but if you need an update just let me know.
Thanks maria – fabulous news. Rafa’s back!
YES, YES, YES
🍾👍👍👍🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾
CONGRATS RAFA
Susie, Game set and match to……RAFA. 6-3, 6-3. What great news,things are looking very promising for Rafa , the last two times they met , the dog has won but today Rafa showed him who the master was. Good luck in your next match Rafa.🐂
Rafa 4-2 up in the second set
Lol – thanks maria. Can always rely on you for an update. Great news re 1st set. Will try and catch highlights tonight. Keep it coming if you can
Susie Dolgopolov having a rant, his balls (the green bouncy kind ) keep coming out of his shorts pockets . Has now gone off court to change them after arguing with the umpire . I hope it doesn’t distract Rafa and put him off his stride
Great news Susie first set to Rafa 6-3 , sorry you aren’t able to watch I’m sure they will repeat it later on tonight.
Susie update 4_3 Rafa Inthe first set
Hi Susie Rafa was down a break, but it is 2 games all now,
All the best of luck sweet Rafa 🍀😘
VAMOS! 🎾💪🏼😃
Hi maria – im in work unfortunately. Are you watching rafa’s match by any chance? If so how is he doing?
So sorry to hear. Will let you know as soon as he wins. Don’t want to take my eyes off of Rafa.
RAFA ROCKS
Good luck today Rafa , your playing great, Dolgopolov is a tricky opponent but has only beaten you when you weren’t playing at your best . Go out with confidence and play like you did in Abu Dhabi and you will triumph.
Good luck Rafa,all the best,
Rafa good luck tomorrow .all the best.Vamossssssssssssssss you can do it .the best player.love your fans.🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍👍👍👍❤️
Rafa N Marc were going to play doubles but Marc was injured some how…
A shame. Rafa must be disappointed. He wanted to get as much tournament practice as possible prior to the AO. I hope he has a great tournament at Brisbane.
RAFA ROCKS
Yes Margo …also just read that Moya did come to Brisbane after all. I think I saw uncle Tony as well during his first practice. All guns firing for a thrilling comeback! Rafa looks wonderful… He looks happy and healthy! I’m going to get up at 3 AM to watch him… A bit nervous because Alexander is a very fast player! The last two times they played he beat Rafa.
Ahh, very good news…pleased that Carlos is with him.
Alex is out a lot due to illness but when he is well he can pose a threat.
Rafa seems to be very relaxed, he is smiling a heck of a lot, and seems to be in a great state of mind. That should help his game.
RAFA ROCKS
Buena Suerte mi querido Rafa, estas jugando increible, Vamosd Rafa
Good luck for tomorrow. Wish you all the best, Vamos Rafa <3
go Rafa go win !!! have been your fan since you first exploded on to the tennis circuit all these years ago and still remain confident in your ability to get back to the top
Just take one match at a time and do your best Good Luck in your match againest the :Dog :
Each of Rafa’s announced matches still excites me to the core. So many years ago I never thought I would still be an avid fan. Rafa’s still here and he still has his grip on my psyche.
Cheers Rafa. Come out roaring. Reset that “instill fear” button.
Another comeback in the making.
RAFA ROCKS