On Thursday, fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will face 2006 finalist Marcos Baghdatis in the second round of the Australian Open.
Date: January 19, 2017
Match time: It’s the second evening match of the day and follows the conclusion of Serena Williams’ second round duel with Lucie Safarova. Approximately 8.30 PM local time / 4.30 AM EST – New York, Montreal / 9.30 AM GMT – United Kingdom / 10.30 AM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa has won eight of nine meetings with the Cypriot. The pair last met back in 2015 at the Stuttgart Open where our champ beat his rival in a thrilling three-setter.
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Stuttgart Germany |
Outdoor Grass | R16 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2011 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2010 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Cincinnati OH, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | QF | Marcos Baghdatis | |
| 2009 | Beijing China |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2007 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Paris France |
Indoor Hard | SF | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2007 | ATP Masters Series Madrid Spain |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2007 | Dubai U.A.E. |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2006 | Wimbledon England |
Outdoor Grass | SF | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2006 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | QF | Rafael Nadal |
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Nice & Solid 2nd SET sweetheart!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Leading 6:3 6:1 !!!!!! : ) Love seeing you so incredibly fit sliding and gliding and covering the court with such fast stride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Great match : )
Great second set from Rafa and so lovely to hear the commentator’s singing his praises. Baghdatis stop with the excuses , the reason your losing is because your playing one of the greatest players ever ,not because of the balls or uncle Toni.
“Well in command” indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) leading 3:0 2nd SET …… Great stride dear Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Go RAFA GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Very exciting to see your groove !!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : )
ci……ci….ci….: ) Ace & all great 1st SET win DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Great match !!!!! Nice sharp returns and beautiful quick net magic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Vamos sweetheart!!!!!! : )
Way to go Rafa, but your going to have to up your level in the next set. You let Baghdatis to many opportunities to get back into the set
Good luck today Rafa , we have had enough shock defeats today ,so go out there and preform your magic.
OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Have a great time sweetheart & lots & lots of fun playing your beautiful magic on the court !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Novak and cillic are out. Well done dan evans. Good news for rafa and Andy and possibly Roger. Anything can happen now !
RAFA, world number 2 just exited the AO with a loss to Istomin.
The tennis gods may yet see you lifting the trophy.
RAFA ROCKS
All the best of luck champ Rafa 😘😊🍀💗
VAMOS! 🎾💪🏼😅
Rafa all the best for tonight ,
and I will be watching here in Sydney,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
WISHING YOU THE BEST FOR TOMORROW, RAFA!!!! VAMOS!!! ADELANTE!!!!
Good luck our Champ…. Vamos Rafa!
Hurdle one successfully negotiated so now to the second round. Wishing Rafa success in straight sets.
I too am hoping for a SS win. I want Rafa as energized as possible for the rest of the tournament.
But, however many sets it takes to beat Marcos, “A win is still a win,” says Rafa. I agree.
RAFA ROCKS
All the best for the match! Vamos Rafa!
WISHING YOU A GREAT MATCH RTENNIS IS LOOKING GOOD AGAIN WITH YOU BACK ALSO FED KEEP PLAYING DARLING BOYSXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Buena suerte mi Rafa, Vamos Rafa
Good luck-tennis world is restored with Roger and Rafael back in the mix. Keep
rolling-younger players seem to have much to learn about the discipline, physicality, and mental toughness needed to have continued success.🙀🙀👍👍👍👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Rafa, you’ve got this one also. Keep up the good work with your winners; cut down on unforced errors. I love the positive comments being made by the media about your match against Mayer. Best of luck against Baghdadis.
RAFA ROCKS
I would guess that Rafa’s match will be on later since it is the second of the night matches. That is good news for those of us on the East Coast in the US. I am hoping for a SS win.