On Friday, Rafael Nadal will play Italian Fabio Fognini in the semifinal at the 2017 Miami Open.
Date: March 31, 2017
Match time: 1 PM local time / 1 PM EDT – New York, Montreal / 6 PM BST – United Kingdom / 7 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / Saturday 9 AM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa on playing Fognini:
I know him very well and he knows me very well.
We played a few times and he’s beaten me a couple of times, too. It’s a tough match.
He’s playing well, so it will be a good challenge. I need to play my best, keep playing aggressive like I did today and hope to have my chances.
Rafa leads his FedEx ATP Head2Head with the Italian 7-3, but the pair has split their past six matches. Their previous encounter in Miami was a one-sided affair, with Nadal recording a swift 6-2, 6-2 win in their 2014 fourth-round clash.
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Barcelona Spain |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2015 | Beijing China |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2015 | US Open NY, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Fabio Fognini | |
| 2015 | Hamburg Germany |
Outdoor Clay | F | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2015 | Barcelona Spain |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Fabio Fognini | |
| 2015 | Rio de Janeiro Brazil |
Outdoor Clay | SF | Fabio Fognini | |
| 2014 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami FL, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2013 | Beijing China |
Outdoor Hard | QF | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2013 | Roland Garros France |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2013 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Fabio is giving Rafa something to get his teeth into now
Well Fog just held and Rafa’s putting some easy balls in the net and hitting short.
It’s now a match. Too bad didn’t break up 40/0–that’s the extra clutch he’s still missing. He let fog back in.
But I think it’s still OK.
Rafa has to miss now and then, Rafalite.
Ahh he just underestimate the wind just now.
Ad Fog 2-2
Now back to deuce #5
Rafalite in the UK we’re on Sky
That’s pretty good commentary from what I hear online …
Great BH slice ar the net from Fog. He’s fighting back. But Rafa will take this game.
Or not. Rafa’s a bit impatient.
2-2 2nd set
The condition affecting the ball a lot. Fog too frustrated. Rafa trying to stay patient but also doesn’t like it one bit.
Rafa, pls break now!!
Fog’s just simply being overwhelmed.
Will be haunted by this match forever.
Easy tiger – we don’t want you to peak before the final. Rafa is playing fabulous tennis!
Haha, that BH smash!
Wow, crazy CCBH angle from Rafa!!
@15-40 2nd set Fog’s serve
Commentators are gushing over Rafa’s “never-say-die spirit,” and “self belief.” Even at your so-called “worst,” Rafa, I was a believer.
One more set to go.
RAFA ROCKS
😋🤔🙊🐶
Keep this up Rafa and the match is going to be over in no time at all😁😁
We certainly hope so, Maria 😊.
But somehow I still feel Rafa way lacks test on the way to, hopefully, the final. On the other side of the draw though…
Well Kohl was a test.
But it’s true the level between Zverev and Kyr was way higher than anything Fog is bringing.
Are you listening to ESPN? Cahill and BG have very good analysis today, as to what’s working right for Rafa.
Oh rafalite let’s hope so. But it’s early days!
Trust me. Fog is in a daze. Rafa is totally on.
This is going be insanely easy.
First set, yeah. Second set, Fog might have some good patches if he’s calm down I think. But Rafa is *really* careful today, just as expected :-).
Hi Vy – didn’t realise it was windy there today. Clearly it suits rafa
Hi Susie :). It’s not ideal for Rafa or any other players and sometimes even Rafa can get frustrated too. But he’ll do fine today. 🙂
A break to love. Yesssss
Good start Rafa, keep it going
Yeah! Tripple BPs for Rafa!
Sorryyy, triple :p.
And of course he converted!
💪🏻👍🏻🎾
Rafa looking really good, serving in the 120s! This should go well.
I’m already worried about Nick.
He looks *really* focused today. Definitely determines to serve really well, then everything will just fall into place. 👍🏻
Rafa’s looking good so far. 🙂
I’m a bit nervous but I will be strong!!!
Me too, Susie. It seems really windy out there. And hot too.
Windy and hot are good for Rafa
Hi Susie, i hope Rafa comes out fighting and Fabio behaves himself and doesn’t start on Rafa,or my shoes will be flying at the TV. Not the best umpire for Rafas’s match ,let’s just hope he’s fair. Here we go