Rafael Nadal’s bid for a 17th grand slam title will continue on Friday against the Bosnian 28th seed Damir Dzumhur.
Date: 19 January 2018
Match time: 7 PM local time (AEST) / 3 AM EST – New York, Montreal / 8 AM GMT – United Kingdom /9 AM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa and Damir played only once, which was in the 2016 Miami Masters, a match Dzumhur won in three sets before our champ retired with illness and dizziness.
Rafa on facing Damir:
“Damir has improved a lot [since we played at 2016 Miami]. He is a tough opponent… [and] he knows how to play tennis very well… The only way to win is play at a higher rhythm than him and try to play aggressive, try to play with the highest intensity possible out there. That’s what I going to try. I hope to be ready to make that happen.
Rafa played an up and down sort of game even although the scores look impressive. However scores don’t always tell the whole picture. Dzumbar kept Rafa on his toes well and truly. One thing that pleased me was that Rafa stood closer to the baseline for most of the time to receive serve. Perhaps Moya is making some inroads there.?
Incidently Rafa has played two night time games and one daytime game and it looks as though he is scheduled for a day time game on Sunday. On the other hand, Fed has had all night time games and is scheduled for night time next match also. Favouritism? It seems the officials bend over backwards to give him what he wants because they want him to win. It disgusts me. In interview Fed was asked if the organisers listened to his requests more and he said smugly “probably.”
How they fawn over him is sickening. He is certainly to be admired for his success at 36 years of age, he is an inspiring player, but granting him all games in the coolest times is unfair to the other players and gives him an advantage.
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ; ) : ) CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL SWIFT VICTORY SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) WE ARE VERY VERY HAPPY FOR YOU DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING & HAVE FUN CELEBRATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) HAVE A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT & SWEET DREAMS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) ENJOY YOUR BEAUTIFUL SOLID TENNIS AND HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) WE LOVE YOU SWEETHEART & LOVE WATCHING YOU PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXO
Finally Rafa gets to get out of his uncomfortableness after missing 2MPs with a perfect ace.
61 63 61
The scoreline suggests nothing but dominance but it’s only true for the 1st set.
Rafa got a bit lucky in all of his 5 breaks in the last 2 sets I have to say. Dzumhur has the game but not the consistency and physique. A bit unlucky for him. Wish him a good run for the rest of the season. I will enjoy his great shots more when I watch the highlights. 🙂
Back to Rafa, I think he will learn from this match and be more consistent and confident in the next round(s). No reason not to.
For those who didn’t watch the match live, unless you watch the replay, the highlights, which I guess will look good, won’t tell the whole story about this match.
As for me, atm I’m concerned about Rafa’s knees more than anything. It doesn’t help that he will play Schwartzman next.
Hopefully Rafa will stick to his gameplan from start to finish Friday and play better than today.
Hi again to Susie and Rafa fan 1. See you in the next match. 🙂
Catch you Sunday Rainier
Yes, Sunday, not Friday, my bad. Thanks and see you, Susie. 🙂
Thanks for the update
VAMOS VAMOS VAMOS gorgeous Rafa! – Sublimely played 🎾💪🏼😍👏🏻 You are amazing sweet champ. Keep it going and good luck in next round 🍀❤️😘👍🏻