2013/05/19

Nadal Wins Eighth Barcelona Crown

 

Rafael Nadal

(April 28, 2013) Rafael Nadal recovered from an 0-3 start to defeat Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 6-3 to gain his eighth Barcelona Open tournament victory – a record. He has now won 39 matches in a row at the tournament.

“I feel very happy to lift the trophy once again here in Barcelona,” Nadal said. “It means a lot especially after the difficult year I’ve had. The conditions were very difficult today, especially in the first six games as it was raining a lot.”

“I am extremely satisfied about being able to defeat a player like Nico (Almagro) in straight sets in the final. I played better and better as the match went on and the break at 1-3 in the first set was vital for me. In the second set, things went smoother and I managed [to do] well in all the difficult moments.”

Nadal is the first player of the 2013 season to win four tournaments.

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Djokovic Ends Nadal Streak and Wins Monte-Carlo Masters

Novak Djokovic

(April 21, 2013) Novak Djokovic won his first title at the Monte-Carlo Masters on Sunday by besting 8-time defending champion Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-6 (1). The win also snapped Nadal’s 46-match win streak at the Monaco tournament and earned Djokovic his 14 Masters Series title. He’s now won 8 out of the 9 Masters events – he needs to win Cincinnati to have them all.

Djokovic kissed the clay court after the win and during the trophy presentation thanked Nadal.

“Rafa, thank you for allowing me to win it once,” Djokovic said. “I couldn’t ask for a better start to the clay season.”

Djokovic was not sure if he was going to compete in Monte Carlo due to an ankle injury sustained during his tie-clinching match for Serbia over the United States in Davis Cup.

“I cannot be happier than I am in this moment knowing what I’ve been through the whole week, actually two weeks,” said Djokovic. “If somebody told me 10 days ago I’d be winning the trophy, I wouldn’t think it’s so realistic, to be honest.”

“I think he played a little bit better than me, especially in the first set,” Nadal said. “I felt that I was playing really well the second set and I was having more chances than him.”

Djokovic roared out to a 5-0 first set lead with points to take the set 6-0. Nadal held and broke Djokovic to get to 2-5. Djokovic broke back to take the first set 6-2.

Nadal upped his game in the second set and took a 4-2 lead and was drawn even at 4-4. Nadal broke Djokovic in the 11th game of the match and broke Nadal at love to send the second set into a tiebreak.

“When I was 6-5 down, I think out of next 10, 15 points, I lost only one. So that’s an unbelievable effort at that stage,” Djokovic said. “Analyzing the game and the matches that I had against him in the past on different surfaces, I know if I can play on that level for long period of time, I have a very good chance of winning.”

“Of course, I want to win Roland Garros. That’s no secret,” said Djokovic. “But I need to keep on having the right positive mindset for the next tournaments that are also very important. I’m just trying to stay healthy.

“I’m right in the place where I want to be in this moment confidence wise and game wise. I just need to do what I have always done: stay committed, rest well, prepare well, and then I have the next two weeks for those things [to get] ready for next challenge.”

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Djokovic to Meet Nadal in Monte-Carlo Final

 

Djokovic 6 228

(April 20, 2013) Novak Djokovic will meet Rafael Nadal for the first time since last year’s French Open final when they play for the Monte-Carlo Masters title on Sunday. Both men advanced to the final in straight sets.

Nadal ousted Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the semifinals on Saturday to earn a spot in the final and extend his win streak there to 46, while Djokovic ran through Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-1. This will; be the 16th time they’ll face each other with a title on the line. Nadal leads Djokovic 8-7 head-to-head in finals, 19-14 overall.

Nadal is looking for his ninth straight Monte-Carlo title.

“At the start of the week, the way I felt in the first match, if somebody told me I’d be playing finals, I’d be very happy to hear that,”  said Djokovic  who has been dealing with an ankle injury this week. “I’m handling it much better than I was at the start of the week. It has been improving and the pain has been decreasing. It’s much, much less than before.”

“I know what I need to do,” Djokovic said of trying to beat Nadal. “Of course, it’s easier said than done.”

RESULTS – SATURDAY, 20 APRIL, 2013

Singles – Semi-finals
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d F Fognini (ITA) 62 61
[3] R Nadal (ESP) d [6] J Tsonga (FRA) 63 76(3)

Doubles – Semi-finals
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d M Raonic (CAN) / B Tomic (AUS) 63 63
J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) 64 63
SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, 21 APRIL, 2013

COURT CENTRAL start 2:00 pm
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs [3] R Nadal (ESP)
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB)

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Djokovic Advances, Nadal Cruises, Murray, Berdych and Del Potro Upset in Monte-Carlo

 

Rafael Nadal photo by William Lucas/Inovafoto

Rafael Nadal photo by William Lucas/Inovafoto

(April 18, 2013) Eight-time defending  Monte-Carlo Masters champion Rafael Nadal extended his winning streak at the tournament to 44 matches, while No. 1 Novak Djoovic had to rally from a set down for a second straight day to move into the quarterfinals. No. 2 seed Andy Murray was not so fortunate falling to No. 13  Stanislas Wawrinka 6-1, 6-2.

Novak Djokovic still nursing a twisted right ankle rallied past Juan Monaco 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday.

“It was very difficult for me today,” Djokovic said to media. “Another tough match. I am trying to take things day by day. I didn’t know what to expect today and I’m really glad that I won.”

“It’s another big test obviously, again a two-hour match,” the No. 1 continued. “Obviously I’m not physically out there feeling my best. Somehow feels that I always miss that half a step. But I’m trying. I’m fighting. After I lost the first set today, I tried to find that inner strength. I found it again. So that’s a positive thing. Every day brings a new challenge and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Djokovic will face Jarkko Nieminen in the quarterfinals. Nieminen stunned No. 5 seed Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4).

The left-hander Finn is into his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 quarterfinal since 2006 Paris.

It was another easy win For Nadal on Thursday as the 8-time Monte-Carlo champion stopped Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2, 6-4. Nadal will take on Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals.

“He’s playing well,” Nadal said of Bulgaria’s Dimitrov. “He’s able to play very well, very aggressive, very good technique. He’s (a) complete player.”

For No. 2 seed Andy Murray, it’s a match he’ll want to forget. In less than an hour the Brit fell to Stanislas Warwinka 6-1, 6-2.

“Just looked at the stats … 24 unforced errors is far too many,“ said a disappointed Murray. “That’s a set’s worth. That’s where half the points went. “I hope that’s not going to be the case over the next five, six weeks. I’ve had tough losses on the clay before and I’ve come back well from them. Hopefully today will be the same.”

“He’s an amazing player. He’s always tough to beat,” said Wawrinka to media. “Therefore, to beat Andy that easy was a big surprise, for sure. I’m playing really good, really strong, really confident with my game. I know what he’s looking for in his game. He’s playing slow, he’s playing from the baseline, he’s not putting so much pressure. For me on clay, it’s perfect.”

The loss means that Murray will fall to No. 3 in the rankings next week, surpassed by Roger Federer.

Italy’s Fabio Fognini recorded the biggest upset of his career as he knocked out fourth seed Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-2. It’s his second career win over a top ten player.

RESULTS – THURSDAY, 18 APRIL, 2013

Singles – Third Round
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d [14] J Monaco (ARG) 46 62 62
[13] S Wawrinka (SUI) d [2] A Murray (GBR) 61 62
[3] R Nadal (ESP) d [16] P Kohlschreiber (GER) 62 64
F Fognini (ITA) d [4] T Berdych (CZE) 64 62
J Nieminen (FIN) d [5] [WC] J del Potro (ARG) 64 46 76(4)
[6] J Tsonga (FRA) d J Melzer (AUT) 63 60
[7] R Gasquet (FRA) d [9] M Cilic (CRO) 75 64
G Dimitrov (BUL) d F Mayer (GER) 62 64

Doubles – Quarter-finals
M Raonic (CAN) / B Tomic (AUS) d [3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / D Nestor (CAN) 76(7) 63

Doubles – Second Round
[4] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) d C Fleming (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) 64 61
[5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) d I Dodig (CRO) / R Stepanek (CZE) 62 62
J Melzer (AUT) / L Paes (IND) d [6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) 62 63
J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d [7] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) 76(7) 64

SCHEDULE – FRIDAY, 19 APRIL, 2013

COURT CENTRAL start 10:30 am
[6] J Tsonga (FRA) vs [13] S Wawrinka (SUI)
G Dimitrov (BUL) vs [3] R Nadal (ESP)
F Fognini (ITA) vs [7] R Gasquet (FRA)
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs J Nieminen (FIN)

COURT DES PRINCES start 10:30 am
[5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) vs D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP)
J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) vs [4] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED)
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs J Melzer (AUT) / L Paes (IND)

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Djokovic Survives, Nadal Romps, Murray Advances in Monte-Carlo

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic

(April 17, 2013) Rafael Nadal began his quest for a ninth Monte-Carlo Masters title on Wednesday by extending his winning streak there to 43, while No. 1 Novak Djokovic was extended to three sets on a shaky ankle.
The eight-time had few problems with Marinko Matosevic, dispatching the Australian 6-1, 6-2.

“I played well at the beginning with the right intensity, with no mistakes,” said the Spaniard to media.

“I was trying to do the right things to find a good feeling on the ball, to find the right rhythm. I played to the right places, and that gave me confidence.

“I didn’t play my best game, the first game of the second, and he played well, so he had the break. And after that he played well for a while in the next games. Then he had good chances, two break points for 3-0. It was not an easy moment. I played one good point and I was able to come back.”

Nadal is on a 15-match winning streak. He’ll play Philipp Kohlschreiber next.

Djokovic, who twisted an ankle while playing for Serbia in the Davis Cup on April 7 in clinching a place in the Davis Cup semifinals, played 2 hours and 15 minutes for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 over Mikhail Youzhny.

“Today was a big test. My ankle survived, I’m in the next round. That’s what matters,” Djokovic said. “I know that my game is still not there, obviously, and I have a lot of ups and downs through the match. Physically also, I think I’ve put double the effort than I do usually because, you know, I still don’t feel comfortable.”

“You know, protection, the tape, was good. So I managed to overcome that pain and go through the match,” Djokovic continued. “I think that my ankle is (getting better) as the days are passing by. Obviously, I will have to play a match every day.”

“I’m just happy to compete, to be honest. I didn’t know if I’m going to be playing the tournament up to yesterday, basically,” said Djokovic who resides in Monte-Carlo.

“For me it’s important not to have a bigger risk of injuring myself. I enjoy this tournament very much. As I said before, if it was not Monaco I would consider not playing.”

World No. 2 Andy Murray moved into the third round with a 6-1, 6-4 victory in 73 minutes over Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Murray is now 20-2 on the year.

“I won the close games, which was important,” said the Scot. “I didn’t make too many mistakes. It was solid. I returned well, served well. If you do those two things well on any surface. it gives you a good base to work from. It was a good start.”

RESULTS – WEDNESDAY, 17 APRIL, 2013

Singles – Second Round
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d M Youzhny (RUS) 46 61 64
[2] A Murray (GBR) d [Q] E Roger-Vasselin (FRA) 61 64
[3] R Nadal (ESP) d M Matosevic (AUS) 61 62
[4] T Berdych (CZE) d M Granollers (ESP) 75 64
[9] M Cilic (CRO) d K Anderson (RSA) 62 63
J Melzer (AUT) d [10] N Almagro (ESP) 64 62
J Nieminen (FIN) d [12] M Raonic (CAN) 63 16 76(3)
[13] S Wawrinka (SUI) d [Q] A Montanes (ESP) 61 61
[14] J Monaco (ARG) d E Gulbis (LAT) 60 36 63
F Fognini (ITA) d [Q] A Ramos (ESP) 63 75
F Mayer (GER) d R Bautista Agut (ESP) 57 64 64

Doubles – Second Round
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d P Kohlschreiber (GER) / F Mayer (GER) 63 62
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d [2] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) 46 62 10-4
M Raonic (CAN) / B Tomic (AUS) d [8] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) 62 64

Doubles – First Round
C Fleming (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) d J Knowle (AUT) / F Nielsen (DEN) 64 76(7)

SCHEDULE – THURSDAY, 18 APRIL, 2013

COURT CENTRAL start 10:30 am
[6] J Tsonga (FRA) vs J Melzer (AUT)
[16] P Kohlschreiber (GER) vs [3] R Nadal (ESP)
[13] S Wawrinka (SUI) vs [2] A Murray (GBR)
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs [14] J Monaco (ARG)

COURT DES PRINCES start 10:30 am
[4] T Berdych (CZE) vs F Fognini (ITA)
G Dimitrov (BUL) vs F Mayer (GER)
[9] M Cilic (CRO) vs [7] R Gasquet (FRA)
J Nieminen (FIN) vs [5] [WC] J Del Potro (ARG)

COURT 2 start 12:00 noon
[7] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) vs J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB)
J Melzer (AUT) / L Paes (IND) vs [6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) – After Suitable Rest
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / D Nestor (CAN) vs M Raonic (CAN) / B Tomic (AUS)

COURT 9 start 12:00 noon
[5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) vs I Dodig (CRO) / R Stepanek (CZE)
C Fleming (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) vs [4] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED)

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Nadal Rallies To Beat Del Potro for Record 22nd Masters Title

Rafael Nadal

(March 17, 2013) Rafael Nadal rallied past Juan Martin Del Potro to win his third BNP Paribas Open title 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday. For Nadal it’s a record 22nd Masters 1000 title, one better than Roger Federer. Indian Wells is his 53rd ATP title as he notched his 600th win.

Nadal opened the match quickly taking a 3-0 lead in the first set. Del Potro found his game and rallied to take the set 6-4. Del Potro broke Nadal’s serve in the opening game of the second set and looked to take the title. The momentum switched to Nadal as the Spaniard came back from 0-2 to win the set 6-3.

“Then I think Del Potro start to play more aggressive and I lost a little bit my calm,” Nadal said.  “I didn’t make the right thing because I tried to change my direction against his forehand with my forehand in not the right ‑‑ in not a favorable position.  So that produces more mistakes than usual.

“For that reason, I was not able to keep winning games.  He was playing great.  He was playing solid.  I was playing with more mistakes and no chances.  Then I was lucky to have the break back in the second set because the first game of the second set was struggle for me.

“Four mistakes with my forehand, and the last ‑‑ when I had the break back in the second everything changed.  I found the way to win points another time, to be comfortable when the ball is in the middle of the point, know how to play.  And after that break, in my opinion, I played the right tactic another time.

“I waited for the right moment to change against his forehand.”

The third set saw Nadal put even more pressure on the Argentine, breaking him the third game for a 2-1. Del Potro saved three match points while serving  at 3-5, to hold for 4-5 but Nadal sealed the victory in the next game holding easily for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win.

“I think Rafa deserves to win,” said Del Potro. “He plays unbelievable for like an hour there.  The last hour of the match he didn’t make effort.  He played so solid and put me so far to the baseline and make winners from there.

“But I think I made a good tournament anyway, and Rafa played really well today the second and third set.  He broke me early in the third.  Play against him when the score is down is tougher, you know.  But I was fighting all the time but he won in the end.”

Del Potro was asked if he was tired after his three-set win over Novak Djokovic on Saturday.

“I played three sets against Murray then three sets Djokovic,” the Argentine said.  “But the finals are finals.  You know, they are special, and you get the energy from everywhere to play the finals.  I think of course if he had a day off between matches would be fantastic, but Rafa plays yesterday, also.  The conditions are the same for both players.

“I think my body was okay.  Just he played better in the end and he deserved to win.”

Nadal spoke about how emotional this victory was in light of he recent comback to the tour after a seven month hiatus due to a left knee injury:

“A lot of things happened last seven months, to be back here and to have this very heavy trophy with me is amazing, no?  I am winning three straight top 10s, beating the top 5 of the world and No. 4 and not be in the top 4 and you play quarterfinals, no?

“So beating three top 10, three very important players, and win title like this is just something unbelievable for me.  Very, very happy and very emotional.

“When, you know, when you have one comeback like I’m having is, you know, you remember all the low things, lower moments that you had during this seven months, doubts and all these things.

“Hopefully I passed, and just can remember all the people that really helped me a lot during all this time.”

Nadal is now leading the ATP with tournament titles at three and has 17-1 record this year. He is currently on a 14-match win streak. Nadal has withdrawn from the Sony Open in Miami and will be back on tour for the Monte Carlo Masters event in late April.

Nadal apologized about having to miss Miami: “I’m very sorry for the organization of the tournament and I’m very sorry for the fans, but we never thought we’d be able to play all matches possible since I came back.

“The doctors recommend me to be back home for a few weeks and rest a little bit and keep practicing the right way.  You know, I need more power on the left leg quadriceps, so I need to keep working hard.  The competition is hard for the body, so after four fantastic weeks I can’t go to Miami.  I need to prepare and rest for the next one.”

 

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Nadal Withdraws From Miami

( March 17, 2013) Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from The Sony Open in Miami, the tournament announced on Sunday afternoon.

 

Sony Open Statement Regarding Rafael Nadal Withdrawal
The Sony Open has been notified by the ATP that Rafael Nadal has officially withdrawn for the event. The event is not aware of the reasons for Nadal’s withdrawal. All inquiries/questions should be made to the ATP World Tour.Adam Barrett, Tournament Director, Sony Open Tennis“We are disappointed to hear the news that Rafael Nadal will not be competing in Miami this year, especially given his strong results since his return to the Tour. He is a tremendous ambassador for the game and has thousands of adoring fans here in South Florida. We wish him well and hope to see him back in Miami next year. The Sony Open is looking forward to a tremendous two weeks of tennis with the likes of two-time defending Australian Open men’s champion Novak Djokovic, defending Olympic gold medalist and US Open men’s champion Andy Murray, 2013 Australian Open women’s champion Victoria Azarenka, reigning French Open women’s champion Maria Sharapova and defending Wimbledon, US Open and Olympic champion Serena Williams competing against the rest of the world’s best players here in Miami”.

Rafael Nadal from his Indian Wells News Conference:

“I cannot go to Miami. I’m very sad for that. I’m very sorry for the organization of the tournament and I’m very sorry for the fans, but we never thought we’d be able to play all matches possible since I came back.

“The doctors recommend me to be back home for a few weeks and rest a little bit and keep practicing the right way. You know, I need more power on the left leg quadriceps, so I need to keep working hard. The competition is hard for the body, so after four fantastic weeks I can’t go to Miami. I need to prepare and rest for the next one.”

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Del Potro Upsets Djokovic and Will Meet Nadal in BNP Paribas Open Final

 

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(March 16, 2013) Juan Martin Del Potro rallied from 0-3 down in the third set to end the 22 match win streak of  No. 1 Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to move into his first BNP Paribas Open final on Saturday.

Serving for the match, Del Potro clinched the victory with an ace to defeat the Serb for only his third time in 11 career meetings in two-hours-and-49-minutes – the longest match of the tennis  tournament. The win also ended a 4 match losing streak to Djokovic.

The last Argentine to reach the Indian Wells final, was Guillermo Vilas in 1977.

Del Potro will be playing No. 5 Rafael Nadal in the final on Sunday at Indian Wells. Nadal defeated Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-4 earlier in the day.

Del Potro credited his third set comeback to the fans. “I think the crowd help me to keep fighting and to come back in the 3rd set,” Del Potro said on court after the match.

“I was doing a very good match until the third set, but Novak had the chance to beat me when I was 3‑Love, Del Potro said later in a post-match news conference.

“But I come back soon, and that give me a little confidence to come back in that set.

“Then also the crowd want to watch more tennis and help me to play my best tennis in the end, and I think it was my best match in this tournament, for sure.”

 

“His fighting spirit and my lack of concentration,” Djokovic told media were the reasons for the turnaround after leading 3-0 in the final set.  “I just ‑‑ I didn’t deserve to win today.  You know, whenever I had chances, second, third set, I throw them away with some unforced errors.  My movement was poor, and I congratulate to my opponent.”

“I never think about my yesterday match, Del Potro said about his win over Andy Murray in the quarterfinals.  Djokovic is completely different player.  He’s the No. 1 and always is a big challenge against him.

“I was so close to lose because he got the chance to beat me, but I think I got lucky in very important moments, very important points when I made a fantastic winners on my forehands.

“Also good aces, and that’s help me to go through.

Djokovic on Del Potro’s game:”He has a big serve; he moves around the court very well for his height; he uses that forehand as a great weapon, you know.  Great running forehand, so he’s opening that side.

“I didn’t use my backhand along the line as I usually do.  It’s one of my best shots.  Today I just wasn’t there.  My backhand generally wasn’t there.  It’s okay, you know.  It happens.  It’s sport, and I just didn’t make it this time.”

Del Potro’s use of the slice proved to be very effective in this match and in the tournament. “I use it a lot, because that help me to play more aggressive with my forehand and trying to do different things, Del Potro said.  “That help me to beat Murray yesterday; today Nole.

“I don’t know if I’m going to use tomorrow against Rafa because he’s lefty and he move really, really fast in the baseline.

“But what I know about him is playing more aggressive than today, trying to make a few winners with my forehands, coming a lot to the net, and I need to serve well also.”

Nadal in press 3 11

Rafael Nadal beat Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-5 to gain his fourth berth in the BNP Paribas Open final. Nadal is now 16-1 in his comeback from a left knee injury since taking a seven month hiatus off the tennis tour, including a current 13 match win streak.

“It’s very, very difficult to imagine something like this. But here we are today, and very happy about all what happened the last month, especially last three weeks,” said Nadal, who took out No. 2 Roger Federer in straight sets in the quarterfinals.

“So coming back is certainly something amazing for me, totally unexpected, and I received more support than ever from the crowd every place that I played.  That’s always a very, very special feeling.  Thank you very much, all the people.

“I am enjoying, sure.  Every match means a lot to me.  Every time I am able to come back on court and play these kind of matches makes me very happy.”

“I don’t have nothing to lose after seven months. I did much more than what I dreamed.”

Nadal will be seeking his third Indian Wells title.

“He looks strong again,” Berdych said. “He still play very aggressive, and what he was missing in his first matches when he come back after the injury was maybe a bit of confidence in his game, but definitely not today and not anymore.”

“When it was 5-3 ( in the second set) since that time I serve only one first serve and he serve only one second serve,” Berdych said. “Actually, that was the difference.”

“I was very nervous at the end of the match to close the match and was lucky that my serve worked amazing in the last game in important moments,” Nadal  said. “Victories like today, like the other day, helps you a lot for the confidence and to remember all the things that you have to do in every moment.”

Nadal holds a 7-3 head-to-head record versus the Argentine.

In order for Del Potro to win Sunday’s final, Del Potro explained that everything has to be “perfect.” “ It’s the final against Rafa.  For sure I need to play better and better every day.  All finals are special to play.

“Also when you play the top guys, they are the favorites, but I will try to do my game like just like today and then see if Rafa give me a little chance to win.”

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Nadal Tops Federer to Move into Semis of Indian Wells

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(March 14, 2013)  In the 29th edition of the rivalry which dates back to when they first met in Miami in 2004, Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer 6-4, 6-2 to move into the semifinals of the BNP Paris Open on Thursday.

In the first set both men stayed even until the seventh game when Nadal broke Federer on a backhand crosscourt passing shot winner to go up a break 4-3. Federer had been struggling to hold his serve until Nadal broke him in the second game.

Nadal threatened to break Federer again in the ninth game, but Federer held off two set points to hold for 4-5. Nadal served out the first set 6-4.

In the first set Nadal  had an 82% first serve percentage versus Federer with 70%. Nadal had 8 errors to Federer’s 16 in the 47 minute first set.

A telling statistic from the first set – Nadal lead Federer in groundstroke winners 11-1.

Nadal opened the second set with a break at love and broke a sluggish Federer again in the third game for a 3-0, two break lead.  Federer had been suffering with back issues during the tournament. Federer showed some signs of life by breaking the Spaniard for the first time in the match to get to 1-3 in the second set.

A Federer hold made it 3-2 Nadal. Nadal kept in front by a break holding at 30 for 4-2 and broke Federer again for a 5-2 lead.

Nadal served out the match at love to win 6-4, 6-2 to move into the semifinals where he’ll play Tomas Berdych next.

In the end Nadal was just too powerful from the baseline winning 57 points from there to Federer’s 25. Nadal committed a mere 13 unforced errors to Federer’s 30.

“I played great the first set,” Nadal said.  “I played a fantastic first set, in my opinion.  The second set was strange.  The second set I think Roger didn’t fight as usual.  Probably he had some problems and he didn’t feel enough comfortable to keep fighting.”

Federer was asked about his back injury: “Same as against Stan.  I mean, I could play.  I’m happy to be out there and able to compete, you know.

“But it’s obviously a small issue.  That doesn’t work against guys like Rafa, obviously.”

Federer continued: “Hanging in there in the first set, so you always believe that with a good return game, and, you know, I dug myself out of a couple of tough service games, that I could do it, you know.

“The longer the match went on, I realized I had to change up my game.  I played differently than I was hoping to be able to.  Obviously he got more comfortable as the match went on, as well.  Things became difficult.

“Obviously once I was down a set I knew it was going to be difficult.”

“After seven months away, I am very happy to be in the semi-finals here,” Nadal said on court after the win.

“For me, just to be back in the competition is fantastic. I had matches in the Latin American clay court season, now I’m here for first time in seven months on a hard court tournament, so very happy to be in semifinal, no?”

“I don’t think Roger felt 100 percent tonight. Always it is a very, very special match against Roger, the best player in history. I feel like it is a classic match whenever we play.”

This is Nadal’s  first hard court event since his returning to the tennis tour last month after a seven month hiatus due to a left knee injury.  His first hard court tournament in 11 months. Nadal is now 15-1 in 2013, and is currently on a 12 match win streak.

Nadal spoke about his performance during the match: “What pleased me most was my movement tonight was much better than yesterday.  I played longer than yesterday.  I had good feeling on my forehand, even if I had few mistakes with my backhand in the second set.  The match became a little bit strange in the second.

“But in the first set I played very well with my backhand.  That give a lot of points for me in the final of Acapulco.

“Sometimes today I am not able to play all the shots with my forehand that I used to be because I am not that fast yet to do it.  That’s why the backhand today is very important for my game.

“So if I am able to hit well, like I did in the first set, you know, a lot of opportunities open for me in my game because I can hit cross.  If my cross backhand goes close to the line then I have the rest of the court for my forehand, and that’s a big advantage.

“Today that makes a big difference in my game.”

Nadal was asked about his next opponent Berdych.

He’s playing better and better every year, ” said Nadal.  He played final in Marseilles, final in Dubai, and now he’s semifinals here without losing a set.

“He’s doing great.  We’ll see.  I gonna try my best.  I gonna try to keep playing well and try to fight as I did today, as I did yesterday, and we’ll see if I am able to compete well and enjoy another match.

“Every match is fantastic for me to have the chance to keep playing, and I gonna enjoy the match against another top, top player.  Will be another important test for me, and I gonna enjoy.”

Nadal has now improved his record against Federer to 19-10. Should Andy Murray advance to the final, he would leapfrong Federer into the No. 2 spot.

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Tennis Channel to Air Federer-Nadal BNP Paribas Open Quarterfinal Live Tonight

Federer-Nadal by Rosemary Nardone

(March 14, 2013) Tonight on Tennis Channel, Roger Federer will take on Rafael Nadal in the quarterfianls of the BNP Paribas Open LIVE on Tennis Channel at 10 pm ET.

This is the 29th time these two have played, this Quarterfinal match-up is just their second match played prior to a semifinal. The only other time was their first match in Miami in the Round of 32 with Nadal winning 6-3, 6-3.

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