World No. 1 Rafael Nadal returns to action for the first time since Wimbledon as he takes on Benoit Paire in the second round of the Rogers Cup in Toronto on Wednesday.
Photo by Max Gao | Instagram: @max.g.photography
Date: August 8, 2018
Match time: Not before 6.30 PM local time / 6.30 PM EDT – New York / 11.30 PM BST – United Kingdom / Thursday, 12.30 AM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / Thursday, 8.30 AM AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
The Frenchman looked very good in his opening match. He defeated Jared Donaldson 6-3 6-4 in a repeat of their encounter from last year’s edition.
All three of their previous encounters have gone the way of Rafa, who is a perfect 7-0 lifetime in total sets against Paire. This will be their first meeting on hard courts.
| Year | Event | Surface | RND | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Roland Garros France |
Outdoor Clay | R128 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2013 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2013 | Barcelona Spain |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
Rafa has enjoyed plenty of success before in Canada, winning here in 2005, 2008 and 2013. He is making his 12th appearance at Coupe Rogers, where he is 29-8 overall.
– Appearing in Toronto for 1st time since 2010. Playing 2nd hard-court event of 2018 (Aus. Open).
– Won record 11th title at 3 events: Monte-Carlo (d. Nishikori), Barcelona (d. Tsitsipas) and Roland Garros (d. Thiem).
– Secured at least 1 title in 15 straight seasons, tying Federer’s Open Era record from 2001-15.
– Ranked No. 1 from 1 January-18 February, 2 April-13 May, 21 May-17 June and 25 June-present.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Source: ATP World Tour
Short and sweet Rafa. Great going. Rest up for tomorrow.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Rafa said Toronto would be interesting, with twists.
So far today, four youngsters have caused upsets:
Khachanov 22-years-old #38 d.
Carreño-Busta 27-years-old #13
6-4, 7(7)-6(3)
Tiafoe 20-years-old #41 d.
Raonic 27-years-old #29
7(7)-6(4), 4-6, 6-1
Shapovalov 19-years-old #26 d.
Fognini 31-years-old #14
6-3, 7-5
Tsisipas 19-years-old #27 d.
Thiem 24-years-old #8
6-3, 7(8)-6(6)
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU LOOK SO HANDSOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR PRACTICE SHOT HERE DEFINITELY OUGHT TO BE CAPTURED ON SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FRONT COVER…….GORGEOUS …..SWEATY…….HUNKY…….AND THOSE BEAUTIFUL STRONG MUSCLES…….LOVE YOUR PHOTO DEAR RAFA ……..YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL WITH YOUR SUNGLASSES ON…..SLEEVELESS GRAY JERSEY, WHITE SHORTS….& BACKWARD RAFA HAT……!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WI……..WI…….WI…….AND CI……..CI…….CI…….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU SWEETHEART AND LOVE YOUR RHYTHMIC DANCING TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) HAVE LOTS OF FUN TONIGHT & ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
I’m down with a win too Lorna! Get it done Rafa. Lucas Pouille is out, so send Benoit Paire to join him as well. Those two players always confuse my mind- so kindly do me a favor dear champ!
Juan Martin del Potro has pulled out of Toronto. Wrist injury. I was afraid of this. I wonder if he was injured in Los Cabos hoping to be ready for Toronto. I hope it’s not serious as he has had multiple surgeries on his wrists. I hope it’s not a major problem.
I wonder what impact this will have on Rafa’s draw.
RAFA ROCKS
Oh no! I also hope Delpo’s Injury isn’t serious and that with rest and physio he’ll be back in the mix very soon.
I don’t know, Lorna. The only thing he had complained about in Mexico was the heat.
His loss to Fognini at Los Cabos was so lopsided. Just before that match his fan club Twitter account announced he was in the hospital due to heat stroke and would stay there until Monday, August 6. Yet he played his final vs. Fognini on Saturday, August 4.
Today the reports are that it’s his left wrist he’s having problems with. He’s had 3 surgeries on that one wrist. At his post Fognini-match presser he said his was having problems with his backhand but gave no details.
After today’s announcement, it gives the “appearance” that he was injured at Los Cabos and went for a diagnosis after which he decided to play the final anyway. He then comes to Toronto and discovers he needs more time to heal.
I think high-profile players are “obligated” to their sponsors and the tournaments to delay any announcement of injuries or pull outs for as long as possible.
I hope it’s just fatigue and nothing more.
RAFA ROCKS
Sad for Delpo. Hopefully it’s only soreness or something mild like that, and he will be back soon! Tennis needs you JMDP, so rest all you need to, and I hope you make it to the US Open!
I agree Mac.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Rafa is sharp, focused and determined. Paire, although talented, is temperamental, inconsistent and lacks the necessary discipline. There will only be one outcome….a win for Rafa!
All good wishes Rafa, first step in the tournament. You looking strong and good,
Go for it. Vamos Rafa <3
Tuesday’s best score goes to Khachanov:
Khachanov vs Krajinovic
6-3, 6-2.
From the neck up he looks as if he is about to break out in a Stevie Wonder song.
Rock on Rafa. You will do it because you can.
RAFA ROCKS
I don’t recall seeing a photo of Rafa wearing sunglasses in a practice. Naturally he looks great in anything and everything. Depending on which Paire shows up, this could be a tough match. Rafa can do it!
Paire could very well continue with his poor play and bad behavior that he exhibited at the Citi Open last week. I hope Rafa beats him so badly he will give up tennis.
He lost vs Baghdatis, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
He destroyed not 1, not 2, but 3 racquets in as many minutes.
He was booed off the court.
He was penalized a point.
He was fined approximately $60,000.
Margo, Are you sure about the $60K? I heard that it was $16,500? He only earned $7000, so it was a loss trip.
va4favre, Freudian slip…LOL
Yes, it certainly was $16,500. Thanks so much for the correction.
RAFA ROCKS
Go go go Rafa! All the best💪💪💪
Rafa all the best for your game today,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX