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!
Think andy is a contender too being world no 1 and having 5 ao finals under his belt! And I’m not even a fan – just being realistic
Rafeyell? Hillbilly town pronunciation?
Well it’s any US commentator, I would not call them Hillbillies. Let’s say the effort to stay a bit closer to the Spanish pronouncation, is missing 100%. RA-FEE-YELL NA-DALL
The real first test in two days. Make no mistake, most of the tennis world – although many won’t say it out loud, out of respect for the Great Rafeyell Nadall (US way of pronouncing) – is expecting Zverev to win. Rafa winning it would put tennis fans on alert, because it might mean he is in fact on his way back. But let’s face it and manage expectations: the Nadal of the last 2,5 seasons would not beat Zverev in the Aussie Open r3. If the story of post RG 14 continues – and God forbid it does – Rafa is out in two days.
Way to go Rafael Nadal. Keep that fire burning against Zverev. Good luck!
congratulations rafa with the win up to the third round against zverev. I watched the whole match you played well but i am a little bit worry about your forehand especially the inside out forehand which is important for your game. You made mistakes with it during the match. In the third round against zverev your forehand and serve will be crucial so hopefully you and carlos will practice tomorrow on your forehand on the practice court. Otherwise it will be difficult to beat zverev who plays like soderling and goes for his shots you almost lost against him at the indian wells last year so you know what kind of a player he is. Since djokovic is out of the tournament only zverev and raonic are the players to reckon with so the way to the final is open for you