(AFP) – World number two Rafael Nadal cruised into the third round at Indian Wells on Sunday night.
Rafa converted five of his six break chances against Jared Donaldson and never faced a break point himself.
Our champ next faces Diego Schwartzman, who beat Spain’s Roberto Carballes, 6-3, 6-1. Rafa is 6-0 against the Argentine.
“Today was a very positive step for me, and the next one is going to be against a player that we know each other very well — we practiced a lot of times, and we played some tough matches,” Rafa said.
“It’s going to be a tough one against Diego,” he added, calling Schwartzman “one of the best talents of the sport today.”
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Source: AFP
Hi all…. Just back from Indian Wells, one of the most gorgeous places I have ever attended… Now I know why the players love it so… Margo…. to answer your question about the practices, Rafa looked as strong as can be… One day Roger was on P2 and Rafa on P1 – side by side…It was crazy crowded and Rafa was giving it all he had… Rublev was practicing wth Rafa and although Rafa was clearly the stronger of the 2 (grunts and all) Rublev gave him a run for his money…just what Rafa needed… It was a 2 hour practice and between the fans cheering for great points Roger was making on his court and the fans on Rafa’s court cheering for him every time he hit one down the line, you would think it was match for the finals… It was the best 2 hours of the day for sure… One other day Rafa practiced in the morning…packed crowd …lines waiting to get in to catch a peek and later at 6:00 pm he came back out.. quietly… and only the people near the practice courts got to hang out and watch.. He’s all about practicing …improving… All his practices he worked on every aspect of his game… He looked great… Btw, you all might know Carlos is not there…Francesco is with some of the trainers… Rafa’s night matches although easy pickings… he looked comfortable and confidant… and tan and gorgeous! haha…He’s got his eye on the prize for sure…
Sounds like crazy fun, fun, fun. Thanks so much for the Rafa news.
RAFA ROCKS
VAMOS SWEETHEART AND GOOD AFTERNOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND A GREAT TIME FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY YOUR DAY AND HAVE LOTS OF FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WILL BE SO NICE TO SEE YOU PLAY THIS AFTRENNON!!!!! : ) IT WILL BE A GREAT MATCH FOR YOU AND WILL BE EXCITING TO SEE YOUR HARD COURT MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU AND SENDING LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESSTO YOU AND YOUR PRECIOUS TEAM AND VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP SMILING SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Vamos Rafa! Egar to watch you play against FedEx in semis
Rafa good luck champ vamossssssssss all the way 💪💪💪🎾🎾🎾😘😘😘❤️❤️❤️💪💪❤️
Pure BS from you as usual. Is this what you get off on Snake Face?
Lorna, I was going to tell her I’m with Lorna and Mac but decided to ignore her comment. Now you made me spill the beans. Don’t stress yourself.
RAFA ROCKS
Good luck to Rafa against Diego.
In a Luigi Gatto article he wrote that after Indian Wells Rafa plans to play Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, and the French Open.
[Source: Luigi Gatto who referenced an ABC-Rafa interview]
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa fans should not be impressed by this result of Rafa against obviously ”weak” opponents. The result was predictable! I’m only interested in seeing his result against Djokovic and that ‘s what matters, not this one-sided affairs……
But i see Nadal avoiding Djokovic match up by feigning injury or playing to lose in either the quarters or semis.
But, as always, we’d have to wait to see what happens, uuh?
Very good start . In fact , this performance is very encouraging and I think too much for Schwartzman .Diego gas been overpowered by stronger opponents this year as Cuevas won easily in Brazil Open . Rafa should try to get the 1st serve % up and overpower Schwartzman by staying unpredictable . Vamos Rafa !
Match was never in doubt and all good apart from Rafa’s first-serve-in percentage in the first set. Much better in the second. Very good returning by Rafa (over 90% back in play), and again not broken on serve, not even a break point. My favourite moment was Tommy Haas shaking his head in disbelief at Rafa’s forehand shot. We know the feeling 🙂 Keep ‘em coming Rafa, vamos!!!!
Rafa good star the tournament vamossssssssss champ you can do it.good luck 💪💪💪🎾🎾🎾😘😘😘❤️👍💪💪💪🎾💪💪💪💪💪🎾💪🎾💪🎾💪🎾💪🎾💪🎾💪🎾💪🎾💪❤️❤️
Great to see you back on form love the out fit go Rafa ❤️🥰👀😜
A great start to this tournament, Rafa. Keep up the intensity and aggression because the rounds are sure to get increasingly tougher.
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) BEAUTIFUL MATCH PHOTOS…………YOU TAN AND GORGEOUS AND THE SLEEVLESS IS A BEAUTIFUL LOOK FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WI………..WI……….WI………. & CI………….CI………….CI…………VAMOS & CONGRATULATIONS ON A BEAUTIFUL VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVE THE BALNCED SCORE…..6 : 1 6 : 1 : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY : ) LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS AND VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP SMILING ! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Great match Rafa; however, a little too easy this match…love your colors…so vibrant. Even the broadcasters were making subtle comments. Wishing your winning ways going forward. 🎾
I saw some brilliant points from Donaldson and yet from the scoreline, it looks like Rafa steamrolled him. Rafa was super crisp though!
Keep it up champ, stay healthy and let’s do the same against Diego.
Good start of the tournament. Vamos Rafa <3
Bien!! Rafa.. Adelante a ver si levantas esta copa… Mñn un dia complicado.. Un jugador duro y bueno
Go Rafa Go, play your best and win this, my love & thoughts are with you, give it all you have in the next round!!!! Right to the end, beat them all !!