Rafael Nadal, the 2009 champion and seeded ninth this year, will play German Florian Mayer (currently ranked 49 in the world) in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Date: January 17, 2017
Match time: Rafa is third match on Rod Laver Arena. Approximately 3 PM local time / 11 PM EST (Monday night) – New York, Montreal / 4 AM GMT – United Kingdom / 5 AM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa and Florian will be facing each other for the third time. The head-to-head series is tied 1-1, but they have not faced each other since 2012, when Rafa got the job done 6-1, 7-5 on the clay courts in Rome.
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2011 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai China |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Florian Mayer |
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
YES, YES, YES RAFA. ♥️♥️♥️♥️👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍🎾🎾🎾🎾
Straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Way to go.
CONGTRATS RAFA. I said this should be an easy win for you and I wish the rest of your matches could be as easy.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa is used to hot conditions, remember he lives in Mallorca, he will take it in his stride. Also he does have an opponent who also has to get used to temperature. Vamos
I too was thinking about the heat, but Rafa has been in Australia for at least two weeks and hopefully has acclimated to the weather.
Didn’t he pull out of this past Miami Open due to a heat related issue?
Rafa may live in Mallorca but he is usually on tour and not playing in a tournament in Mallorca. When home he most likely uses AC during hot weather. Fun in the sun is not comparable to playing a high level best-of-five match in the heat.
In my opinion he will not wilt. He will have prepared for his first Slam of 2017.
RAFA ROCKS
RAFA ROCKS
Vamos Rafa! I notice the opinions on this forum are very much aligned lately. A nice Chinese democracy, compliments to the forum moderators!
Good luck,Rafa
I know you said you don’t like changes,but you will not win anything without some change of your game and strategy.So glad you are training well,but that’s not enough either. Please,we all want you to win as much as possible. Be smart too too.
OUR VERY BEST WISHES TO YOU RAFA IN THE AO.YOU ARE AN INCOMPARABLE FIGHTER.IRISH PEOPLE LOVE YOUR FIGHTING SPIRIT.VAMOS.XXXX
Vamos Rafa mucha concentracion , fuerte mentalmente vamos a ganar Vamos Rafa
Rafa, this should be an easy win for you. Stay in control of the ball and let Mayer know you own the court.
Good luck in you first match of the first Slam of 2017. Your fans are cheering for you.
RAFA ROCKS
Did not realize the h2h is equal, this could be a tough one.
I am not happy that Rafa is playing in the middle of the afternoon on what is supposed to be the hottest day of the first week. I am not sure why, but Rafa seems not to do well anymore in hot, humid weather.
I’m going to AO.I want to watch your game.I hope to watch in Rod Laver Area18th or inMargaret Court Arina19th on day game.Good Lack Rafa.
Lucky you! I hope that you bring Rafa luck.
Step by step. Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
Setting alarms to watch, grabbing a few hours of sleep to be fit for work.You are worth it Rafa!!
Go Rafa with the support of millions
Vamos Rafa . You gotta win it man . Keep hitting ferocious fh & bh .
No holding back .
My prediction is Rafa winning AO .
Cheers