Rafael Nadal

[Lleyton]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO2B7ng ... Yj0MAmFqrG[/youtube]

[Barty]

Nadal Relives Rogers Cup Career Highlights

Spoiler:

Three-time champion's most recent triumph came in 2013 final against Raonic
Rafael Nadal remembers the match under the lights in Montreal well. A return to the No. 1 ATP Ranking was on the line and a deafening crowd was cheering on his upstart 18-year-old #NextGenATP opponent, a young Canadian who played out of his skin in a huge boilover.

That was a year ago and that upstart 18-year-old was Denis Shapovalov, now a 19-year-old entrenched in the Top 30. Nadal did not have to wait long in his bid to return to the top. He went on to finish the season with the No. 1 ATP Ranking.

“It was a great feeling. Not at the end. It was a tough loss for me at that moment because it was a chance to become World No. 1 again,” the three-time Rogers Cup champion said at the draw ceremony in Toronto on Saturday.

“Losing that match, I missed that chance… but yes, it was a good match of tennis. He’s a great player. In that moment, it looked like it was a bad loss for me because Denis was known, but not very well-known for people who are not inside the (ATP World) Tour. He played great… He’s brave, he’s good, he has everything to become a big star and one year later, that loss of course is not that bad.”

A rematch with the #NextGenATP Canadian can’t happen until the final in Toronto in 2018. And while last year’s defeat left an impression, it is Nadal’s three Rogers Cup title runs that he looks back on most fondly. It is five years since his last triumph and it is that title run in Montreal that stands out as his proudest Rogers Cup moment.

“My 2013 victory, that semi-final victory against Novak (Djokovic) was so special for me,” Nadal said. “To have a chance to win again on hard courts after a very tough 2012 with a lot of problems in the knees, that victory meant a lot to me. Playing a great final after against Milos (Raonic), that’s probably my favourite memory.”

The other was from the second of his Rogers Cup title runs, in 2008. He defeated Nicolas Kiefer in the final that year and went on to capture the No. 1 ATP Ranking for the first time soon after with victory at the Beijing Olympic Games. Shapovalov, incidentally, was a young mascot for the coin toss at Nadal's third-round Rogers Cup match against Igor Andreev in 2008.

“Playing 2008 here, the victory gave me the chance to become the World No. 1,” Nadal said. “In some ways I felt that I had been for almost three years playing so well, very consistent, and being always during that period of time, second in the rankings after Roger (Federer), it was something great. But at the same time, Novak was arriving, so it was the moment to make a step forward and to make it.”

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/na ... 8-saturday

[Lucas]

Nadal Faces Early Hurdles In Toronto

Spoiler:

Toronto

Match Preview

2018

Rafael Nadal
The top seed could meet Wawrinka or Kyrgios before the quarter-finals
A year ago, Denis Shapovalov became Rafael Nadal's third-round Rogers Cup headache. If the three-time champion is to pass the third round, he will likely need to find a way past former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka or No. 16 seed Nick Kyrgios.

Top seed Nadal was on hand for the draw ceremony in Toronto on Saturday where he learned his fate. He will open his campaign against Benoit Paire or a qualifier in round two before a potential blockbuster third-round showdown with Wawrinka or Kyrgios. Should he get past those early hurdles, sixth seed Marin Cilic or No. 11 seed Diego Schwartzman loom as possible quarter-final opponents.

"I cannot think about Wawrinka, Kyrgios, Joao (Sousa) before playing Benoit or a qualifier," Nadal said. "I know the first round is going to be a tough battle. But watching the full draw doesn’t distract me from being focused on that first round.

"I like to see the confrontations that are in the first round. There are a couple of very interesting ones in my opinion, and that’s it. I always take it match by match, that’s what I’ve done all my life. That’s the only way, in my opinion, to have success. You need to respect all the days, all the opponents. In tennis, things change so quickly, so you need to be ready to accept both victories and losses."

Third seed Juan Martin del Potro or in-form No. 8 seed John Isner are drawn to meet Nadal in the semi-finals. Del Potro could meet Kei Nishikori, in the second round, before running into Shapovalov for the second straight year in Canada.

The Argentine would have his sights set on revenge after falling in the second round to the #NextGenATP Canadian in Montreal in 2017. Shapovalov plays Jeremy Chardy first with No. 14 seed Fabio Fognini likely in round two.

Second seed and defending champion Alexander Zverev will open against former World No. 3 David Ferrer or a qualifier with seventh seed Dominic Thiem or Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic on course to meet the German in the quarter-finals. Djokovic faces reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Hyeon Chung in the first round.

Fourth seed Kevin Anderson or fifth seed Grigor Dimitrov would be Zverev’s expected semi-final opponent. Home hopeful and 2013 Rogers Cup runner-up Milos Raonic faces a tough opener against No. 10 seed David Goffin with the winner expected to meet Dimitrov in the third round.

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/na ... 8-saturday

[Lucas]

Podobno jak przeszedł na Hiszpański to więcej ponarzekał na to że grali na hali. Lucas potwierdzisz?

Lake, teraz zajrzałem do tematu. Wydaje się, że miał trochę więcej do powiedzenia, stwierdził, że dach powinien być otwarty jeśli deszcz nie pada, bo turniej domyślnie jest rozgrywany przy odkrytym korcie i zamykanie dachu gdy zaczynali w kolejnym dniu wydało mu się nielogiczne.

[grzes430]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tmAr9l ... FA4vd89BJU[/youtube]

[Barty]

Rejuvenated Nadal Ready To Bounce Back

Spoiler:

World No. 1 to contest his first event since Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal has a knack for blocking out adversity and drawing on the positives to move forward. It has been one of the foundations for his prolonged success.

As he returns to this week’s Rogers Cup in Toronto as the top seed, the Spaniard has already accepted and moved on from a narrow loss to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-finals. Had that five-set duel fallen his way he would have started a heavy favourite in the final against Kevin Anderson.

“That’s the sport,” Nadal said. “I have been in a position where I could have won the tournament but I lost the match I could have won.

“I had my good chances but he deserved it too. I’ve tried to rest a little bit, enjoy the Balearic Islands a bit, going back to work a bit in Mallorca these last couple of days before the tournament starts.”

Watch Live

If proof on paper was needed of Nadal’s ability to bounce back, one need only look back to his Rogers Cup defeat in 2017. With a return to the No. 1 ATP Ranking on the line at the time, Nadal suffered a huge upset to then 18-year-old #NextGenATP Canadian, fellow southpaw Denis Shapovalov, in the third round in Montreal.

It is a loss that 12 months on doesn’t look quite so shocking given the Canadian’s subsequent rise. It was a defeat that left an impression but a defeat the Spaniard would not dwell on as he turned his focus to Flushing Meadows, where he went on to claim a third US Open title.

“I think what can happen here or in Cincinnati will not have a big impact on the US Open,” the three-time Rogers Cup champion said. “Of course the good results would be good for the confidence but the conditions are completely different – courts, the ball especially.

You May Also Like: Back In Canada: Shapo Shares Favourite Toronto Memory
“I know from my experience if I play well here and Cincinnati it’s a little bit easier to play well at the US Open but not decisive. Last year I didn’t play very well (in Montreal) but I played well at the US Open and won it.

“In 2005 I won here and I lost third round at the US Open. If you win, you play well in these two events and create this extra confidence to play well there, but if you lose it doesn’t matter, the conditions are completely different.”

That downtime back home in Mallorca is more crucial these days for Nadal to rejuvenate his mind and body than cramming in hours upon hours on the practice courts. It is as much about a shift in perspective as it is about trusting his big-match experience and managing a body more susceptible to injury at his age.

“They’re different feelings,” he explained of how his time on the ATP World Tour had changed. “I’m 32 and not 18. You understand life in a different way.

“The way you approach things is a little bit different but on court I’m still passionate, still with the right spirit to work hard and to keep winning. Of course, the feelings are different as everybody grows.”

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/na ... 018-sunday

[Damian]

[Barty]

Rafael Nadal po ośmiu latach wraca do Toronto. "Tęskniłem za występem tutaj"

Spoiler:

Rozpoczynający się w poniedziałek turniej ATP World Tour Masters 1000 w Toronto będzie dla Rafaela Nadala pierwszym startem od czasu Wimbledonu. Zarazem Hiszpan po ośmiu latach powróci do stolicy stanu Ontario.
Marcin Motyka
Marcin Motyka
06 Sierpnia 2018, 16:20
Udostępnij 27 Tweetnij Skomentuj 2

Getty Images / Scott Barbour / Na zdjęciu: Rafael Nadal

ATP Toronto: Rafael Nadal i Novak Djoković wracają do gry po Wimbledonie. Stan Wawrinka kontra Nick Kyrgios w I rundzie
- Jestem bardzo podekscytowany tym, że wracam do Toronto. Tęskniłem za występem tutaj. Bardzo lubię tu grać, a wiele razy musiałem opuścić ten turniej z powodu ciężkich kontuzji - mówił Rafael Nadal podczas ceremonii losowania.
Hiszpan wygrał turniej w Toronto w 2008 roku. Z kolei w sezonie 2013 triumfował w Montrealu (impreza Rogers Cup rozgrywana jest przemiennie w tych dwóch miastach).
- Moje zwycięstwo tutaj w 2008 roku było wyjątkowe, bo pozwoliło mi dotrzeć na pierwsze miejsce w rankingu. Wówczas od trzech lat czułem, że gram dobrze i konsekwentnie, ale ciągle byłem drugi, za Rogerem. Dlatego było to dla mnie coś wspaniałego. Wygrana z 2013 roku też wiele dla mnie znaczyła. Wtedy w półfinale pokonałem Djokovicia i po bardzo trudnym sezonie 2012, kiedy miałem problemy z kolanami, ponownie wygrałem turniej na kortach twardych - wspominał.
W ubiegłym roku, w Montrealu, Nadal dotarł do 1/8 finału, gdzie sensacyjnie przegrał z wówczas 18-letnim Denisem Shapovalovem. - To była dla mnie trudna porażka, bo sprawiła, że straciłem szansę, by wrócić na pierwsze miejsce w rankingu, a Denis wtedy nie był dobrze znany wśród ludzi spoza rozgrywek. Ale uważam, że dla tenisa było to dobre wydarzenie. Denis to świetny tenisista. Jest odważny i ma wszystko, żeby być gwiazdą. Teraz, z perspektywy roku, uważam, że tamta przegrana nie była aż tak zła.

REKLAMA

Majorkanin jest najwyżej rozstawionym uczestnikiem tegorocznej edycji Rogers Cup. W pierwszym meczu, w środę, zmierzy się z Jaredem Donaldsonem bądź z Benoitem Paire'em. - Nie myślę o kolejnych rywalach, o Wawrince, Kyrgiosie czy Sousie. Skupiam się tylko na pierwszym meczu. Wiem, że inauguracyjne pojedynki zawszą są trudnymi bataliami - ocenił.
- Aby osiągnąć sukces, musisz szanować każdego przeciwnika. W tenisie wszystko zmienia się bardzo szybko, więc musisz być gotowy i akceptować zarówno zwycięstwa, jak i porażki - dodał Nadal, który w Toronto wystąpi pierwszy raz od 2010 roku.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/tenis/76981 ... epem-tutaj

[Lleyton]

[Lucas]

Rafa In Red To Face Wawrinka At Rogers Cup

Spoiler:

Spaniard has now won all nine sets against Paire
Rafa in red? Just as good as Rafa in every colour. The No. 1 player in the ATP Rankings was in complete control on Wednesday night during his North American hard-court summer season debut, beating Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-2, 6-3 at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

The Spaniard broke six times, and although he struggled on serve in the second set, losing his serve three times, the outcome was never in doubt as Nadal improved to 4-0 against Paire in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series. Even the new 25-second shot clock didn't seem to bother Nadal, who was playing with the innovation for the first time.

“I think I played a solid match. It's true that with myself in the second set I had some troubles, but my return worked well. And it was not about the serve. It was more about the mistakes from the baseline, in my opinion,” Nadal said.

“Here it's important to be on the rhythm. It's important to play matches. It's not about tricks. It's about playing well. These tournaments are so hard. Since the beginning you play against the Top 50 players. So it's a big test from the real first round, no?... You need to be ready. And today I found a way to be through, and let's try again tomorrow.”

You May Also Like: USTA, ATP & WTA Implement Rules Innovations At Events Throughout Summer
The Spaniard feasted on Paire's second serve, winning 80 per cent of the points (28/35) and put on a show for the fans on Centre Court, who hadn't seen him in Toronto since 2010 and haven't seen him hoist a trophy there since 2008. (Nadal has won three Rogers Cup titles – 2005, 2008 and 2013 – but his 2005 and 2013 titles came when the event was played at Montreal).

Nadal would pound Paire's backhand with heavy forehand after heavy forehand, only to eventually drop shot short to the other side. During one exchange, at 4-2 in the first set, Paire could only throw his racquet as he watched Nadal's volley float past him.


The 32-time ATP World Tour Masters 1000 champion was playing for the first time since he fell in the Wimbledon semi-finals to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard, who improved to 36-3 on the year, is going for his fifth title of the season. He nearly swept the European clay-court swing, winning his 11th Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Roland Garros titles.

But this week's Masters 1000 tournament in Canada is only his second hard-court event of the season. Nadal fell in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open (ret. vs. Cilic).

Nadal will next face Swiss Stan Wawrinka, who saved four match points to outlast Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 1-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(10). Wawrinka erased all of the match points in the final-set tie-break, at 5/6, 6/7, 8/9 and 9/10 before converting his second match point to finish the 22-point tie-break.

Nadal leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 16-3. The two have met in one Masters 1000 final (2013 Madrid) and two Grand Slam finals, including their most recent meeting at the 2017 Roland Garros.

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/na ... -wednesday

[robpal]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afj1pgG ... A&index=25[/youtube]

[Damian]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGnItJJ ... XA&index=2[/youtube]

[Damian]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWNXa6x ... r4kIJDYNXA[/youtube]

[Lucas]

Nadal Battles Past Wawrinka In Instant Classic

Spoiler:

Let us get the facts out of the way: World No. 1 Rafael Nadal withstood some of the best tennis Stan Wawrinka has played in months to reach the Rogers Cup quarter-finals 7-5, 7-6(4) on Thursday evening in Toronto.

The Spaniard advanced to his fourth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 quarter-final of the season, and his first on hard courts. He will next face sixth seed Marin Cilic, who beat Argentina's Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-2 earlier Wednesday. Nadal leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 5-2, but Cilic won their last contest in the Australian Open quarter-finals.

But what the Nadal-Wawrinka scoreline only alludes to is that former World No. 3 Wawrinka played the best match of his comeback, the type of tennis, in spurts on Thursday night, that saw the Swiss win an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title and three Grand Slams before he required two knee surgeries a year ago.

Wawrinka was striking dazzling one-handed backhands, the type that look as if his opponent will have a chance at them until they gradually fade farther right and farther right, away from the opponent, who can only gaze at the bouncing ball. He brought the power, too, rejecting Nadal's attempts to pick on his one-handed backhand with missiles up the line.

The World No. 1, however, the all-time Masters 1000 titles leader (32), was in one those opportune moods where he finds every angle and tracks down every ball, leaving the crowd – and the guy across the net – gasping.

“It was a good match. Of course, a very positive victory for me against a very tough opponent. Happy to see Stan playing that well again,” Nadal said. “So I am very pleased. That's what I needed, a match like this to be a little bit more confident and I did it.”

Nadal escaped a 0/40 deficit at 4-4 when Wawrinka dumped a backhand into the net on his final opportunity. The two were delayed 46 minutes at 6-5, and after the wait, Nadal broke for the set.

To start the second, Wawrinka fell behind 0-2 and looked in danger of fading away. The Swiss reached the third round in Canada by winning back-to-back matches for only the second time this season.

But his trademark one-hander – the logo on his practice shirts – brought him back into it as he broke with a laser up the line, the start of four straight games that carried him to 5-4 in the second set.


Nadal, though, as he has nearly every time they've played, had a response – this time it was a mix of defence and power, finished off with a forehand pass that left the World No. 1 jumping and pumping his fists in celebration.

Nadal had broken for 5-5, and two games and a tie-break later, his 17th FedEx ATP Head2Head victory against Wawrinka (17-3), and another Masters 1000 quarter-final, would be his. Rafa advanced, but Stan made his return.

Did You Know?
Nadal doubled as a "court cleaner" during his third-round match against Wawrinka as well.

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/na ... 8-thursday

[Barty]

Rafa Completes Comeback To Reach Toronto Semis

Spoiler:

World No. 1 rallies for three-set victory over Cilic
Marin Cilic had a firm grip on his quarter-final encounter against Rafael Nadal in Toronto. But Nadal did what he does best, turning in an impressive 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 comeback at the Rogers Cup on Friday.

With the victory, the top seed secured his place at the Nitto ATP Finals in London from 11-18 November. The first singles player to punch his ticket for the season finale at The O2, Nadal has now qualified for the 14th time.

The Spaniard was made to work to book his spot in the Rogers Cup semis for the sixth time and first since 2013. His Croatian opponent was in cruise control throughout the opening set, dominating proceedings with a hyper-aggressive, scorching display. It was peak Cilic on a picture perfect evening at the Aviva Centre. But the World No. 1 was up to the task, steadily building his own aggression and discovering his rhythm when he needed it most.


"It means a lot to me to be in the semi-finals," said Nadal. "It's because it was a very important match for me. Being in the semi-finals is great news at the start of the hard court season. And winning three good matches in the first Masters 1000 is so important for me."

Nadal continued his quest for an unprecedented 33rd title at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level. He is a three-time champion in Canada, with victories in Montreal in 2005 and 2013 and in Toronto in 2008.

Cilic barely put a wrong foot in the 40-minute opening set, executing his game plan to perfection behind 17 winners. Nadal had no answer for his baseline blasts, which carried him to a double break lead. The Mallorca native would deny five set points while serving down 5-1, but a forehand winner sealed the opener with aplomb.

You May Also Like: Nadal Qualifies For 2018 Nitto ATP Finals
But Nadal turned it around in a flash as the second set got underway. The bevy of set points saved was a mini victory that seemed to inject new life into the World No. 1. A late break at 5-4 would give him the set and force a decider, where he once again came up clutch. With Cilic serving to stay in the encounter, Nadal converted his third match point to prevail after two hours and 20 minutes.

"The way that he played in that first set was unstoppable," Nadal added. "So I resisted him. I play with the right tactics. I tried to find my solutions, but it was so difficult. The dynamic was very bad for me and unbelievable good for him. So I know that the beginning of the second set would be decisive.

"And then at 2-1, I had that break where he missed couple of balls and was the first time in the match that he made some mistakes. Maybe that was a key moment. And of course that last game of the second set that he was up 40/15, and he made two mistakes. So yeah."

Nadal found a way to win behind his trademark grit and determination, overcoming 38 Cilic winners. The Croatian, who was bidding to reach his fifth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final and first in Canada, suffered just his third defeat (25-3) when winning the opening set this year.

Making his first hard-court appearance since January, when he retired from his Australian Open quarter-final against Cilic due to injury, Nadal got his revenge in style. He extended his FedEx ATP Head2Head lead to 6-2, with five of his wins coming on hard. He has not lost to Cilic in a completed match since 2009 (Beijing).

Next up for Nadal is Russia's Karen Khachanov. He owns a 3-0 lead in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series, but the 22-year-old will enter their semi-final meeting with a wave of momentum at his back, having not dropped a set all week in Toronto. Nadal has triumphed on all surfaces against Khachanov, winning on the grass of Wimbledon and hard courts of Beijing last year, as well as at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters earlier this year.

Tennis Radio

Did You Know?
Next up for Nadal is Russia's Karen Khachanov. He owns a 3-0 lead in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series, but the 22-year-old will enter their semi-final meeting with a wave of momentum at his back, having not dropped a set all week in Toronto. Nadal has triumphed on all surfaces against Khachanov, winning on the grass of Wimbledon and hard courts of Beijing last year, as well as at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters earlier this year.

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/to ... ilic-nadal

[Barty]

[Barty]

[Barty]

[Barty]

Nadal Survives Rain, Khachanov To Reach Toronto Final

Spoiler:

World No. 1 will face Stefanos Tsitsipas for Rogers Cup title
It has been five years since Rafael Nadal last won an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title on hard courts. The World No. 1 looks primed to end the streak right now in Toronto.

Following a two-hour rain delay on Saturday, Nadal did not waste any time in dismissing Karen Khachanov 7-6(3), 6-4 under the lights in Toronto. The Spaniard will next face Stefanos Tsitsipas, with a fourth Rogers Cup crown and an unprecedented 33rd at the Masters 1000 level on the line.


Nadal, whose last hard-court Masters 1000 title came in Cincinnati in 2013, is into his first Rogers Cup final since that impressive summer stretch five years ago, which saw him complete the Canada-Cincy double and win the US Open. He is 3-0 in finals in Canada, also prevailing in 2005 and 2008.

You May Also Like: Nadal Qualifies For 2018 Nitto ATP Finals
After enduring a slow start in his quarter-final win over Marin Cilic on Friday, Nadal experienced no early struggles on Saturday. Khachanov did well to disrupt his opponent's rhythm with potent strikes off his mammoth forehand, but Nadal never lost control. He overcame a 0/30 deficit at 4-all in the first set and later rallied from a mini-break down in the ensuing tie-break, snatching the opener by the slimmest of margins.

As strong as Khachanov's forehand is, it leaked 23 unforced errors during the one-hour and 49-minute affair. Nadal would grab a stranglehold on proceedings in the second set, with a quick break in the third game. And his serve did not come under pressure from there, eventually prevailing on his first match point with a leaping smash that soared over the Russian's head.

"He's a great server," Nadal said of Khachanov. "Hits big shots from the baseline. He has an especially great backhand and he can hit the forehand very strong too. It's true with the forehand sometimes he has mistakes too, but he plays very aggressive and he hits the ball very strong.

"I needed to resist and play aggressive. When I was able to move him, I think I was a little bit more in control. But it's difficult to make that happen because he hits the ball very strong."

Nadal's Most Successful Hard-Court Tournaments

No. of Titles Tournament
3 Toronto/Montreal
3 Indian Wells
3 US Open
2 Beijing
Khachanov concludes a dream week which has seen the 22-year-old Russian reach his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final. He did not drop a set in four matches entering the semis, including his first Top 10 victory in more than a year (d. No. 9 Isner). The Moscow native will reap the rewards in the ATP Rankings, rising to a career-high No. 26 on Monday.

Nadal carries a 79-36 record in tour-level finals into Sunday's championship clash against Tsitsipas. He is hoping to cap a magical week, which has already seen him qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals in London, by becoming the fourth player in the Open Era with 80 titles.

It will be déjà vu for Nadal and Tsitsipas, following their final encounter at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell in April. The match, which was the Greek's first ATP World Tour final, resulted in a straight-set victory for the Spaniard. But, with a different surface and Tsitsipas in the form of his life, fans will be treated with an intriguing championship clash on Sunday.

"Tomorrow is a day to play a great match against a very tough opponent," Nadal added. "And I hope to be ready for it. It's another Masters 1000 final. But still a lot of work to do. If it happens, it's going to be great news of course. Canada is a tournament that I play well a lot of times in my career. And it's a very important result for me to be back here where I am."

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/to ... -khachanov

[Barty]