On Thursday, Rafael Nadal will play world No. 28 Fabio Fognini for a place in the last eight at the Shanghai Masters.
The Italian player has been issued today with a suspended ban from participating at two Grand Slams for his unacceptable behaviour at this year’s US Open. He will be forced to sit out two Grand Slams, one of which must be the US Open, if he commits another significant offence at a Grand Slam before the end of 2019.
Date: 12 October 2017
Match time: 6 PM local time / 6 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 11 AM BST – United Kingdom /noon CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 9 PM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Our champ is 4-1 against Fabio on hard courts and 4-0 overall in their last four since Fabio pulled off a five-set upset at the US Open two years ago.
Rafa leads their overall head-to-head 9-3, winning their two 2017 meetings in Miami and Madrid.
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
763 36 64
|
| 2017 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami FL, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Rafael Nadal |
61 75
|
| 2016 | Barcelona Spain |
Outdoor Clay | QF | Rafael Nadal |
62 761
|
| 2015 | Beijing China |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Rafael Nadal |
75 63
|
| 2015 | US Open NY, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Fabio Fognini |
36 46 64 63 64
|
| 2015 | Hamburg Germany |
Outdoor Clay | F | Rafael Nadal |
75 75
|
| 2015 | Barcelona Spain |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Fabio Fognini |
64 766
|
| 2015 | Rio de Janeiro Brazil |
Outdoor Clay | SF | Fabio Fognini |
16 62 75
|
| 2014 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami FL, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
62 62
|
| 2013 | Beijing China |
Outdoor Hard | QF | Rafael Nadal |
26 64 61
|
| 2013 | Roland Garros France |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
765 64 64
|
| 2013 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
61 63
|
After going over three and a half years without winning a title on hard courts, Rafa is seeking his third consecutive title on the surface, following his successes in New York and Beijing.
Good luck & Vamos Rafa!
Yes Rainier, Wimbledon was a shame, the ideal would be to win all 4 this year.😕 I had a feeling that Muller would be an obstacle as he was in 2004 during Rafa s early participations at 18 years. Shame Federer did not have him in his half. I have the book Rafa, his autobiography written with a writer in French and it ends with his return to Manacor in 2010 after the US Open, aged 24. A success, also R Garros and Wimbledon. 3 that year, They describe him as probably the greatest athlete alive. 😃👑 7 years later almost the same. Fiona in Paris
Rafa dealt with Fognini in much the same fashion as he dealt with Nick . He was super cool, calm and focused.
I just wonder how much longer he can keep this up without succumbing to tiredness which can also lead to injury.
Fortunately his matches so far have been over quickly and his successes may keep his momentum going.
He has also had to play indoors because of bad weather and even this has not deterred him as it has in the past.
At the moment we are witnessing a re-juvenated Rafa who is full of confidence . But please Rafa listen to your body and don’t push it beyond where it can go.
It would be great if Rafa can carry this momentum towards two things:
– beat Roger in the final of Shanghai
– beat Roger in the final of the WTF.
A bonus would be to beat Roger in Basel too, to make it three even on the year. But the first two would be wonderful already, wouldn’t it?
princess r will not make the finals….He already seems tired playing Dogopolov , tho he took 1st set just now, …the score does not reflect the close match and Dogopolv seems the stronger player…but makes more unforced…. r has zero sportsmanship…..in the 1st set, r stood right next to the line when Dogopolov’s winning ball was mistakenly called out…princess r SAW IT WAS IN…. camera was close up on his cheating face, you could tell he knew it was a winning point …meanwhile Dogopolov challenged and got the point…won the game and as usual, r lost the next two points…. In my humble opinion I think Del po will be in the finals with Rafa and Rafa will take him to the cleaners , nice and smoothly with his endurance and speed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 😉 : ) 🙂 GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 😉 🙂 Zve was getting a bit big headed in Beijing….acting out on loosing points etc….body body butt lick with princess r , and behaving with such arrogance that his lost today again reflects his poor attitude. It was rather disappointing to see him act out over and over again and hear commentators say….it was good he is letting out some steam and gets angry….when Fignini does that same atp rascals call him crazy….go figure….
jean sober
– beat roger in the final of Sjanghai, Paris and WTF
– Let roger win Basel
win sjanghai then skip basel and only playing paris and atf
U r right, I forgot Paris!!
BEAUTIFUL & VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Congratulations on your swift classy victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 😉 🙂 VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Great match with so many fantastic returns and aces and speedy court coverage and that special brilliant Rafa brand TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 We love you sweetheart and very happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 :):) 🙂 🙂 ci……..ci……..ci…….ci……..& ci……..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Enjoy everything & celebrate sweetheart with THE TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) Have a lovely evening and a beautiful tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Enjoy lots of fun playing next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Very happy for you sweetheart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) It is so exciting to watch your matches LIVE…….enjoying your groove on the court!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) wi……..wi…….wi…….BRILLIANT CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 Gliding and sliding and reaching and serving and your aggressive shots…..so much fun to watch all that passion and determination and sheer beauty athleticism !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 😉 🙂 GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR POINT BY POINT FEISTY FUN, IT WILL BE A GREAT MATCH FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU DEAR RAFA & WILL ENJOY EACH POINT WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 😉 😉 😉 Have fun tonight & keep smiling!!!!! : ) Lots of love & happiness sweetheart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXO
Fognini is going to be VERY upset. I had no doubt you would trounce him Rafa.
RAFA IS ROCKING
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 Leading 6:3 1st SET with solid aggressive shots & amazing serve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 😉 🙂 😉 VAMOS DEAR RAFA FOR YOUR FANTASTIC COURT PRESENCE & YOUR TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 😉 GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
One less possible threat to Rafa. Sascha lost his match to DelPo.
RAFA ROCKS 2017
Rafa should win this based on his current form. Dimitrov is waiting for his rematch. Do not disappoint; get the win for us Champ!
If Rafa wins it all in easy straight sets in all the matches in Shanghai ..he will be fine for WTF shud skip Basel and train for Paris right away…
Boy Rafa is coming in hot..I like dis super aggressive Rafa..hope he plays this forever…smokin Dem out..I like Rafa in this super aggressive to smoke out nole in slam finals for the vengeance..
Rafa was so great today that I just do not see Fog troubling Rafa at all. I love this Rafa.
So serious, so deadly, so aggressive. This is the Rafa that puts fear in his opponents mind within a couple games. He did the same to Kyrgios and same today. May this form please continue for as long as possible. May god bless you with health and good luck Rafa.
Very well said, Gianna. 🙂
The only thing that stands between him and the trophies is his health imo. Don’t see anyone beating him this Asian/indoor swing which is the first time ever. Fed won’t beat him in this form unless Rafa has a bad day. Every aspect of his game is clicking while it’s not the case with Fed. I hope they’ll play before Rafa gets tired from playing too much this year so Rafa can get some momentum back in this matchup.
Yes, Gianna said well and you too. ☺ It is so good to see him in this positive form, let s hope it continues but anything can happen, sometimes players lower in the ranking can have a surge upwards on a good day for them. I am still regretful for Australian Open, that win would have made 3 Grand Slams this year, as in 2010. Fiona in Paris
Thanks, finona. 🙂
The AO was surely regretful but it is the past and what it is, so. Personally I think his Wimby campaign was more regretfull since I’m convinced and so was Fed that Rafa would at least make the final. His level was so high – the highest in the first 3 rounds and I’m confident that I’m saying this objectly. But unfortunately he lacks confidence IMO. The Muller match should have never happened in a year like this and when his form was like that.
Some people even say had he won the AO, he might have very well won a calander slam this year. I don’t necessarily agree with that. But I also don’t disagree either.
So yes, anything can happen. Players can have a surge and goat for a whole match but the difference is Rafa’s confidence IMO. He’s so confident right now which he definitely should be. Players rarely goat before a confident and in form player like Rafa. Unless Rafa as a bad day, which I doubt will happen ATM. 🙂
Rafa is calmer than we’ve seen him for a long time. He will need this to play against Fognini who knows he can get inside Rafa’s head.
That was in the past. Rafa has got over his fears and he will win. We his fans must believe in him and his play and give him every encouragement.
Could be a tough one. Vamos Rafa!!!