Three-time champion Rafael Nadal continues his US Open campaign on Thursday when he faces Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round at Flushing Meadows.
Kokkinakis, who’s career has been decimated by injuries, won his first Grand Slam match since the 2015 French Open in his Round 1, beating Illya Ivashka in four sets.
Date: August 29, 2019
Match time: Around 9 PM EDT – New York, Montreal / 2 AM BST – United Kingdom / 3 AM CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 11 AM AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
The first meeting between the two came at the 2014 Australian Open where Rafa won in three straightforward sets.
Rafa on playing Thanasi Kokkinakis:
Yeah, he’s young. He has a big forehand, big serve. He’s a dangerous opponent, of course.
I need to go on court and to play well. If not, will be a very difficult match. So let’s see. I think I had more or less positive feelings tonight. I need to keep improving every single day.
Winning with that result allow me more to have a good practice. I hope to be ready for after tomorrow knowing is a tough challenge, Thanasi in the second round.
Kokkinakis on playing Rafa:
I give myself a chance for sure. It’s going to be tough – very physical but I’m ready for it.
I know what he brings. I’ve seen him play enough, I hope. I’m going to play my game and see what happens.
I’ve played a lot of lefties in my last tournament so just treat it like a better version of them.
I’m going to give it a crack.
Good luck and Vamos Rafa!
Match with Kokkinakis …retired as he injured..w/o Rafa 2 3rd round
When does rapper play his next game and who does he play against
I mean Rafa.
LOL, Rafa the rapper. That is some autocorrect.
Rafa plays on Saturday vs Hyeon Chung.
Rafa’s next match should be on Saturday, August 31 and his opponent is Hyeon Chung.
Rafa’s third round opponent is H. Chung of South Korea. He beat Verdasco in five sets😉
Good luck and Vamos RAFA🍀💪❤️
Mimi, sorry for the near duplication [see my post to Eli sbeth above]. For some unknown reason fans’ posts are not coming through to me in a timely fashion, as if there is a delay. I wasn’t notified about Marileena’s response eirher. Are yours coming through ok?
Anyhows….
I remember Rafa having played Chung in the past. I was getting ready to ask you how the heck is Rafa playing Chung then realized he was Verdasco’s opponent. He sure slipped under the radar. Found out he’s been in injury mode and a former world No. 18. At present, I don’t see him beating Rafa but at 23-years-old who knows how well he will advance in 2020. Happy Rafa has had extra time to practice before Saturday.
RAFA ROCKS
Mimi, Just to clarify, my “how the heck” was a show of near astonishment rather than questioning your “Rafa to play Chung.”
Hi Margo, no problem, it is ok. It seems like I don’t have any issue, no delay.
OK, thanks Mimi.
Rafa got a walkover to the third round, Kokkinakis retired.
According to US Open’s website and Twitter, Kokkinakis has withdrawn. Welcome to R3 Rafa… and some welcome sleep for me 🙂
Yeah, me too. I’ve been going back and forth whether I should watch the match live or watch my recording tomorrow. I just hope this is a good thing for Rafa!
I saw your post and Ramara’s right after. I should have checked first oops. 😴😴Jas.
Looking forward to Rafa’s Saturday match now🍀💪❤️
Looking forward to your match! Go Rafa! 🗽🎾❤️
I find it disheartening that Amazon Prime are advertising tonight’s coverage with a picture of Nick Kyrgios and “Watch the bad boy of tennis”! I understand that he attracts attention, and I can sympathise with a bit of ranting and swearing because I feel like that at work sometimes, but spitting in the umpire’s direction, making lewd remarks about other players’ partners and deliberately hitting balls at opponents isn’t on. There are plenty of other players whose pictures they could use to advertise their coverage.
setinthepast, the good news is that the ATP is supposedly in discussions to see if he warrants a suspension for Player Major Offense.
The bad news is that he may be suspended for saying the “ATP is corrupt” but not for his egregious on-court behavior.
He tried to backtrack his use of “corrupt” by saying he meant he is treated unfairly with regard to time violations, fines and whatever else he feels he is being singled out for. He may be upset about losing $113,000 to fines.
Even if the ATP decides to suspend him during the US Open, and he’s still in it, the US Open can decide to follow suite or suspend him.
I’m waiting to see what happens. An all-around suspension would be great as I think he’s bad for tennis.
I find it disheartening when a player’s bad behavior is rewarded by the USTA’s decision to ban an umpire from officiating at that player’s matches.
Such is the case of the USTA. It was announced that Carlos Ramos will not umpire either Serena’s- or her sister’s-matches.
Last year at the US Open Serena’s behavior was just awful during her final’s match against Osaka: from calling Ramos a “a thief”, “a sexist”, and “a liar.”
Serena’s meltdown started when she received a violation because her coach was caught coaching her from the stands. She said she was unawares. The violation stayed. So she continued to berate and insult Ramos. She wouldn’t let it go. Serena’s fans were outraged because of the penalties she received but it appears most didn’t understand why she was being penalized.
This year the US Open will post all violations so that it is visible to everyone and understood by players and fans alike. Good idea.
I agree with you Margo!
She has won 23 GS and is considered the “Queen” of tennis but I don’t like her……I like her sister.
Mimi, I couldn’t believe those who were using the word “queen” to describe her AND defending her without knowing exactly what happened when she lost her match and tournament staff asked Thiem to move to a smaller conference room.
It was neither Thiem nor Serena’s fault for the fallout that ensued. BUT, to say “Serena is the queen of tennis and Thiem should have cut short his news conference so she could hold hers” is inexcusable. She had lost her match while Thiem had won his. Go figure.
At another tournament I witnessed her towering over a diminutive lineswoman while threatening her. I was AGHAST and APPALLED. I was afraid she was going to hit her. That really upset me.
Mimi, I feel exactly the same way. I like and admire Venus a lot, but never much cared for Serena. But sometimes I wonder if I’d be more forgiving about her tantrums if she were a man. Do I dislike her because she’s a abrasive woman?
Ramara, personally I just don’t like players with bad behaviors, men or women. I don’t care how talented or successful they are, how many grand slams they have won, etc…….
The same for me, male or female, doesn’t make a difference.
I’m with you 100% on that Margo. Serena lost the plot and yet so many people kept defending her behaviour! That episode and the ensuing coverage really made me see the media in a different light. The left took Serena’s side, and the right called her out for what it was. Sexism yea right.
Serena was asked recently about the umpire, and she acted as if she didn’t know who that person was. Sure Serena! Anyhow, let your tennis do the talking.
Win tonight Rafa. All eyes on you champ, No Drama!!
Yes Mac, she was the abusive one and then pretends she doesn’t know who Ramos is. I would think after reflection she would have come to the realization that her behavior was abominable, to say the least.
Margo, kudos to Thiem for refusing to continue in a smaller room👍 Another incident from the “Queen” was the semis at the US Open in 2009, a lineswoman made a foot fault call and Serena also lost her temper and threatened the poor lady. Her verbal abuse at the lineswoman was totally unacceptable👎
Mimi, Ah…another US Open tantrum….I didn’t remember which tournament it was … see my earlier comment to you re lineswoman. She’s the victim I was referring to.
RAFAMAZING AMAZES
Rafa is the best👍 Champion on and off the court👏 No wonder so many fans admire and adore him❤️
Wow… I am soooo glad Margo that you have said it the way it is!!! BRAVO!!!
I was there that night and let me tell you Serena’s behavior was nothing short of disgusting… She RUINED Naomi’s victory and thrill of winning her first US Open championship… Serena clearly got outplayed, pure and simple…. It was so obvious to us in the stands that it wasn’t her night and then her coach sends in the signals and Serena goes into a tirade… And she proceeds to have a meltdown like the ones she always has when she’s losing… and there is Naomi being booed while she’s on the platform with her visor being pulled down as she cried and I’m wondering what is up with these people at Ashe? Then Serena puts her arm around her …and I’m thinking… You just destroyed this girls moment, one she will never get back and you have the nerve to hug her??? Shame on you Serena… I was sickened….
I honestly can’t watch her play again… I pass on every match now… I look forward to her leaving the sport…
Good-bye….good riddance…
And I agree… she’s no queen…
I did see an interview where she said after this match, the backlash was heavy and she knew many people expressed how horrible and low she was and it drove her to see a psychiatrist… And after sorting things out she wrote a letter to Naiomi apologizing… but it was a very Serena like apology … ” standing up for women” … and
this other b.s. … instead of admitting that she got caught cheating…even if she didn’t see Patricks signals…
ABC TV aired a documentary last week called “Backstory” . …. It’s the story of what happened last year at the US Open women’s finals and it’s great…. The interviewer went to so many involved and the commentary was very telling. He lays out exactly what took place… He interviewed Patrick (Serena’s coach) who admitted he was sending in signals and why….and at the end of the day you know that Serena just went bolistic because she can’t handle losing and lose she did….
Anyone who hasn’t seen “Backstory” . should definitely try to watch it….
And btw…I sold my tickets for Rafa tonight because I wasn’t feeling well…. (it was very hot today, and Rafa wasn’t expected on till 9:00 pm…so I sold them and left earlier in the evening) . only to find out Rafa had a walkover…. which by the way… at Ashe my friends told me they never made an announcement…. Out comes Marin Cilic on the center court to the shock of all attending….
Bummer for everyone….
Marileena, I always strive to formulate my comments in a dispassionate manner be it about the “queen,” or any other player including my favorite of all, Rafa.
The 2019 women’s US Open final for me was a no brainer. I wonder on what planet those defending her live on. Enjoyed your synopsis.
“Backstory” sounds familiar but to be honest I will not go out of my way to see it. Have had enough of her.
Not funny [for Rafa fans] but I had to laugh about the tournament not announcing Rafa would not play …… I imagined a MASS EXODUS 😬😬 once fans realized Rafa was a no show.
Good luck tonight to Rafa. I don’t expect this match to be competitive as Rafa should have no problem winning swiftly and efficiently.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Vamps Rafa, we believe in you
Vamos Rafa, and please, please let the rain stay away today – I know they can close the roof, but that’s not ideal, and there’s such a backlog of matches on the outside courts!
No worries, it is a sunny day!
Save energy and win in straight sets Rafa! Vamos 💪❤️🍀
Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
Good Luck And Vamos RAFA!
Rafa good luck tomorrow vamosssssssss champ you can do it be healthy love your fans ,🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🇺🇸💪🎾😘🇺🇸💪🎾😘🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🌎🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️👍🌎🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️