Nine-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal and his countryman Roberto Bautista Agut will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers on Sunday.
Date: June 4, 2017
Match time: Rafa is second on court Suzzane Lenglen. Around 1 PM local time / 7 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / noon BST – United Kingdom / 1 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 9 PM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa is 75-2 at Roland Garros and is five match wins away from 850 career victories (845-180 mark). Rafa takes a 20-1 record on clay this season into this clash and has claimed the pair’s only prior meeting in Madrid.
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain |
Outdoor Clay | SF | Rafael Nadal |
64 63
|
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Rafa, you can listen to Jason on that one. Your first four opponents can be considered “tomato cans” and nowhere near your skill set. But now, going forward, you will have to dig deep in that reserve of yours and play your best. Wishing you all the best on your quest for a Decima.
RAFA ROCKS
Hi Margo! It’s me Sioux … I was bumped off all during Monte Carlo,Barcelona, Madrid & Rome. I was put under mediation again but now I’m back and I’m going to be very careful of what I post( I don’t know what I said that was so horrible?) Anyway I was reading all of your posts daily and I wanted so badly to join in and express my joy on all of Rafa’s latest achievements! Just Look at the way he’s playing … I haven’t even been nervous watching him… But like you say now it’s going to start getting harder. I’m being like Rafa & taking one match at a time…so far so good, but look under yonder there is Thiem … He is ready to break through he is hungry he has the game he has the stamina and he wants this very badly…BUT Rafa wants this just as much! I’m so excited!!!! Did you hear that they are going to make a statue of Rafa at Roland Garros even if he doesn’t win La decimal! I also think they should name a court after him as well!
PS… A little plagiarism Rafa you rock!
@Sioux Ha ha, no plagiarism. HE DOES ROCK. Rafantastic, with her great Rafa art, as I call it, uses RAFA ROCKS also. Hers and your bill for copyright use are in the mail. LOL
RAFA ROCJS
Geez Sioux, I had no idea. Sorry to hear that.
I WANNA TALK RAFA. Yes, I am thrilled about his 2017 performance. At the beginning of the year I said the best is yet to come.
I thought he got a really good FO draw. After each opponent is named, I do my due diligence on that opponent and couldn’t be more pleased for Rafa thus far. RBA and Paire were slaughtered, obliterated. I did think they, at the least, would have been competitive but WOW, Rafa was sizzling. LOL
I expected him to win all four in SS and he did. I have to check on his QF opponent.
A statue? No, I’ll look that up. Thanks. I think naming a court would be more appropriate. A statue for a tennis museum is cool.
I guess you saw my comment about the four French nationals. I had to laugh because they agreed with me about Yannick being a national hero, because he won one FO, according to the guy who complained that Rafa made it bad for Spanish tennis players because he has won so much. To be honest, I think they would name a court after Yannick before they would name one after Rafa. AWFUL. But he ain’t French. At least I got to practice my French talking about Rafa.
Yes, one match at a time. First of all, players drop out as we saw with one or two of Rafa’s draws. I hope Moyà’s prediction that Rafa can keep going for at least three-to-five years, if he stays injury free, will see the light of day. THAT WOULD BE PHENOMINAL.
Nole, defending, and Thiem are VERY hungry, as is Andy. I am waiting to see how he does today vs 21-year-old Khachanov.
I thought you had taken a break from all the ugliness that was going on here a I feel you are very sensitive.
I am just guessing, but maybe it was because you defended me against those nasty bullies. One of them even apologized to me because she didn’t know how to read simple punctuation and misinterpreted my comment going so far as to accuse me of the ridiculous. So her friends joined her but nothing was done and they are still here. I never saw anything like that from you. NEVER. They treat RNF as if it’s their private chat room. Enough said. And please don’t comment on this. They are not worth your time and that’s all I have to say about the matter. Discussion on that finito.
RAFA ROCKS
Correction: PHENOMENAL
RAFA IS A PHENOM
Geez, I almost forgot. Nole and Thiem square off tomorrow so it’s either/or whomever makes it to the final who will challenge Rafa.
Rafa will have to stay focused and mentally superior against whomever he plays, ESPECIALLY against these two.
RAFA ROCKS
Welcome back, Sioux. I missed your comments during your absence.
🎨💁🏼😄😉
Rafa is a “piece” of beautiful art to watch, Margo 😍
RAFA TOTALLY ROCKS! 🎾💪🏼💖😃
I agree, Rafantastic 🤗
RAFA ROCKS
Sioux, sorry for the delay in response to the subject of a statue of Rafa. I stand corrected and agree with you 150% (the percent Rafa gives🤗.) His statue will be among those of other French Open greats. [Yannick is gonna turn green with envy. LOL]
I also agree a court named after him is a fitting tribute to the BEST French Open winner of ALL time. Let’s start a petition. Seriously.
Guidicelli, president of the French Tennis Association, tweeted that Rafa is a “monstre,” and added that “he must be memorialized.”
Thanks for the great news. Just WONDERFUL.
CORRECTION: Guidicelli said “immortalize,” not memorialize.
RAFA TO BE MEMORIALIZED AT ROLAND-GARROS BECAUSE HE ROCKS ON CLAY
Congrats on another win 😘👍🏻 You totally rule the court 😍 Keep up your amazing tennis Rafa Champ. VAMOOOS!! 🎾💪🏼🍀🤴🏻 ❤️U 🤗
Rafa is sooo hot on court that he sizzles.
RAFA ROCKS
I can only guess that’s what it was but I protected Beverley as well. My son called me a troll and told me to stick to Rafa and mind my own business! I consider all of you on this site my “Rafa” friends… We all come here because we adore him, but sometimes we disagree on what is best for him… Remember there were plenty of fans that were skeptical in adding a new voice to his team, they thought that Rafa was done, finished, washed up & wella look what Moya has added! Look at his results since adding him… It’s simply phenomenal! Is it the Moya factor or just Rafa resurgencing like he has done so many times before… I believe it is Moya, he seems to have given Rafa the the little extra confidence that he was struggling with! Whatever it is I’m just thrilled about it and so glad to back here with all my “Rafa” friends! There is so much sadness going on in the world, that coming on this site provides a bit of a respite for all of us.
Thank you Beverley… You are one of my favorites! ( Don’t get Jealous Margo, i love you too!)! Look at our boy … He Is the favorite to win his 10th RG trophy & so far he is knocking them down with ease! I’m so excited… I just have a feeling he is going to pull this off, he seems to be on a mission!
For me it’s official: Rafa is as good if not better than he’s ever been. Beating RBA in under 2 hours and making him look a weak player.
Rafa is doing virtually everything he ever did, but better, and some new things too, like redirecting the ball a lot.
I’ve waited so long for this, and it’s incredible to behold.
Yesterday they had Rafa in the booth at Tennis Channel–I’m getting cable feeds from from them, as well as Sky SPots, and my god what a huge improve in the commentary, I can actually learn something for a change–they give you the kind of stats that really show what is going on–he was sitting next to Navratilova and they did a happy Bday thing for him.
I got all weepy.
My two fav tennis players of all time on one couch! And my admiration for both of them goes far beyond “tennis player.”
Anyway, Justoin Gimmelstob said “they may as well start engraving the trophy now.” I know I know don’t jinx it, but really Djok still looks less than his old self; Thiem can’t do it for 5 sets, the only possibility to my mind is Waw but he hasn’t had a real test. Maybe Murray will beat Waw in which case Rafa will destroy Murray too.
Really the amount of hubris is disturbing. Rafa is playing well, today he played OK but made quite some extreme UEs too. In this form, against an in form Thiem or a Djoker with rhythm, it will be very tight. Engraving the trophy….jeez. The challenge only begins now, these 4 opponents so far are what we call ‘tomatoe cans’.
“Played OK????” You don’t know what you’re seeing.
Do you even see stats?
He had next to no UFEs. No one plays absolute perfect tennis.
I heard stats on TC the other day about all the extra speed Rafa has on serve and groundies. I see him doing things he has never done before, like redirecting the ball with great frequency. RBA destroyed in 2 hours is not routine for anyone.
Of course Thiem Djok Waw will be harder. But the point is he this much better against good opponents, and the same amount better against great opponents.
And it wasn’t me who said “engrave the trophy now” it was Gimmelstob, I was just relaying that.
I think you were the one saying Zverev would beat Rafa earlier in the season ….
No one comes close to Rafa on clay but RBA is awful on clay. Look at his 2017 record.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafalite … You are so right ( That rhymes how about that) Rafa is playing lights out and I can’t see anyone stopping him but I don’t want to jinx it. I”m being positive and taking one match at a time but like you I think he is playing better than ever & so do all the Commentators. There is a certain maturity about his game now and he’s perfected his serve! I have only been watching TC and the local channel 4 NBC..all the commentators have been very generous in their praise for Rafa. He has been going over the time limit but Jim Courier thinks it’s silly, 20 seconds in a slam and 25 for other tournaments… Rafa is averaging 26 sec. Novack is going over as well but I don’t know by how much.
Rafalite … The man sitting next to Martina was Brett Haber.
Well done to rafa – into the quarter finals without dropping a set. Excellent work!!
Great match Rafa ,it was just so easy for you like taking candy from a baby. As Susie as said PLEASE speed up on your serve as the nearer you get to the final and come across the top seeds they will take advantage of this especially if they are losing
OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) We LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Congratulations on your brilliant playing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) 🙂 You are magnificent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) ; ) ; ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) Love watching every point you play!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU ARE SERVING BEAUTIFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ONE ACE is plenty good with your unbelievable great effective serves !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) THAT’S FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART & GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ): ) : ) You are the cutest 31 years old ever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ): )
Lots of love & happiness dear RAFA & ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Keep smiling sweetheart !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
The way the organisation of RG treats Nadal, putting the 9 times champion not on centre court, is totally the “French way”. Decision makers at the top having it their ugly way. Imagine Wimbledon putting Federer on a second rate court. Imagine Aussie Open doing that with Djoko. Provide the French with a bit of a dilemma and they will surely make the wrong choice. Losers.
Oh no rafa got a time warning so early in the match. Mark Petchy just said it’ll be interesting to see what happens during the rest of the match. I do hope he speeds up.
This time next week Rafa I would love to see an all Spanish Affair with you and
Garbine Muguruza proudly holding the FO trophies, So go out today Rafa and secure your place in the next round.
The best of luck against Bautista Agut.
VAMOOS RAFA CHAMP❣️🎾💪🏼🍀😘
Buena suerta mi Hijo ,,, Vamos Victorious ,El Rey Rafael Nadal,,
What more can I say, Rafa. Enjoy work today and keep saving that adrenalin for the final.
RAFA ROCKS
Bautista Agut does not do well on clay, his least favored surface. He lost on clay to A. Zverev; Schwartzman, Nole, Karlovic, and Ramos-Vinolas, all in this clay season. All indications are that Rafa should get the job done in SS.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa all the best, as you are doing so well.
Love and prayers for the other matches,
Alaine
SydneyXXAustraliaXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Good luck for today Rafa. Best Birthday Gift will be winningRoland Garros! Hope you enjoyed your Birthday. Vamos Rafa. God bless you. Your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. 🐂⏳👑🎈🎈💥💥😀😊😇
Rafa good luck.vamosssssssssssssssssssss champ.xoxo🎾🎾🎾🎂🎂🎂🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍❤️❤️🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂
🍀👊💪👍
Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
Buena suerte mi champion. VAMOS RAFA