World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will begin his ATP World Tour Finals against David Goffin on Monday evening. The Belgian makes his main draw debut at the O2.
According to ATP, the pair has squared off twice, both times on the slower clay, both this year – in Madrid and Monte-Carlo – where Rafa prevailed each time in straight sets.
Date: 13 November 2017
Match time: Not before 8 PM local time / 3 PM EDT – New York, Montreal / 8 PM GMT – United Kingdom /9 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / Tuesday, 7 AM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa on playing David Goffin:
After what happened to him at Roland Garros (an ankle injury), it would be really unfair if he was not here. I’m very happy to see him recovered and playing well. Hopefully he won’t play that well on Monday but he’s 100 per cent here and he deserves to be.
David on playing Rafa:
We’ve played some good matches – on clay in Madrid for example was a good match that Rafa won and we’ll try and play another good match here. I’m sure I can play some good tennis against him. I’ll try and play some good rallies, be aggressive and make him run a lot. We’ll see, I have nothing to lose. It will be a good match.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Good man broke back but im nervous for the tie break
Goffin DFed again and gifted Rafa the break back. Such a shame. He deserves this set I must say.
Still it feels so gusted if Rafa loses the TB here. 5-4 Goffin, Goffin serves.
Rafa’s dumping too many balls in the net, but Goffin is feeling the pressure.
Oh noooo!
Oh no is right. I feel rafa’s pain!!
Rafa mistiming on ROS too much today. Goffin looking like the servebot of the 2. 🙁
He almost DFed at 15-40 and still insisted in grinding predictably on the next point and Goffin put the ball away for good to break him, standing where he’s standing, crushing an ISOFH like I was afraid.
6-5 Goffin
Rafa evened out the score but things still looking ominous. He can’t find his rhythm and has to rely on Goffin making mistakes. Goffin is still outplaying in in every category except the 1st serve %. He’s been improving that since Goffin has been punishing his normally strong 2nd serve quite ruthlessly.
Thanks Susie! 😊
He’s looking out is sorta more often than not!
Let’s hope for the best!
Suddenly Rafa broke back with Goffin doublefaulting and UEing.
But he’s having problems consolidating this year. And Goffin is still dictacting play. So fingers crossed…
Is he in pain? Somehow he doesn’t look comfortable or am I imagining it?
I actually prefer him still taping his knee, if only for prevention. His movement is certainly looking restricted there. Don’t know if it’s more physical or mental. It’s always much more complicated when playing with injuries. 🙁
I share your concerns, Rainier.
Hi rafa fan 1. My friend’s just texed me saying he thinks rafa is limping. Ive not noticed but i really hope not.
Oh no, “limping”. 🙁
Nothing much seems to be working! Still trying to be positive!!! 👍👍👍
VAMOS
Oh bloody hell – rafa’s been broken
Hi Susie. Rafa’s playing like in the Shanghai final, nothing clicking except for his serve, which apparently wasn’t and isn’t enough. He can’t seem to really rally, which is very sad to watch. 🙁
Hi rainier. I agree. Rafa seems a bit flat and not his fiesty self. But its early days. Didnt like him being broken esp as he was 40-15 up!
Goffin’s just broken without much effort. Early days, but Rafa looks a little tentative!
I’m nervous too! Hope his knees hold up!
Ok. Here goes!
Best of luck!!!
VAMOS!
I hope you are fit Rafa and I wish you the best in your quest for your first ATP Finals trophy.
RAFA ROCKS THE 2017 SEASON
I can’t stand it when commentators cast doom and gloom on a player before they even start. Greg Rusedski reckons that Rafa will play the first match and then withdraw. Did he say this with a crystal ball in his hand? Annabel Croft felt that Rafa didn’t look happy or confident during the presentation ceremony yesterday and that the losses to Roger this year have hurt him. Well I’ve news for you Annabel. Consecutive loses to another person would hurt any player. Losses are one thing, it’s how you bounce back and Rafa has the mental strength and determination to do so.
Ever the optimist, I prefer to look on the positive side. If Rafa gets through this tournament then fantastic and if not, then he’s had a terrific year and will turn his attention to the AO which will happen sooner than we realise. I’ll be cheering you on tonight Rafa. Goffin has already said that his tactic will be to take advantage of Rafa’s injured knee, so I expect that he will try to make Rafa do a lot of running and take time away from him. It’ll be important for Rafa to be aggressive and try to keep the points short. Best wishes and good luck champ!
Well said, Lorna. But I think we’d better off cutting those pundits some slack. It’s their job to say what’s on their mind and they’ve been doing it like forever. Annabel is Rafa’s huge fan actually and I think she’s only concerned about Rafa. Rudeski I agree doesn’t often say very “complimentary” things when it comes to Rafa. But who cares about him anyway. :p
It’s almost time and I’m quite nervous. Don’t know how Rafa’s knees are going to hold up. He still looked suspect in practice I must say. Hopefully he will come out swinging and not let Goffin dictate and run him around too comfortably. I don’t think he can afford to play as he normal does this time. It’s too risky.
The court is very low bouncing and even a bit faster than in previous years by all accounts. Those conditions play into players’ games like Fed’s and Goffins, plus they have never played on HC, except the Abu Dhabi final last December (but it’s outdoor); so the H2H doesn’t mean much in this case.
Anyway, trying to stay optimistic and hopefully Rafa will be utmost careful and surprise us again.
It’s almost time. 🙂
Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
Vamos Rafa. Game on @ 4am W. Aussie time Tues.! But I’ll be watching, praying, n cheering you on Rafa. God bless you. Your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. 🐂🏆👑⛵️🎉🎉
Hi Shirley,
Same here. BTW, i am in sydney. Whereabouts are you?
ALL the best Rafa for Monday.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
looking forward to you RAFA – only the best to the best. Love you.
Tomorrow I will see our beautiful Rafa – VAMOS!