Indian Wells

[kskate2]

Deuce again. Error from Radek. BP

 

[Front242]

Ah man. Come on, Radek. Only fitting to get a tiebreak at this stage.

 

[Front242]

You collagen addicted monkey :nono

 

[kskate2]

Radek caves and Rafa will serve for the match at 6-5

 

[Moxie]

Nadal HAD to convert that, 4th chance on 2nd serve? He's not a first timer. Now he really has to consolidate.

 

[kskate2]

Meanwhile, Ernie/Milos dismiss Novak/Filip in straights 7-6 6-1

 

[golds girl]

Nadal HAD to convert that, 4th chance on 2nd serve? He's not a first timer. Now he really has to consolidate.

Yes and end my torture...my heart can't take much more.

 

[kskate2]

DF #8 for 0-15

 

[Front242]

Come on, Rafa, give us a tiebreak.

 

[DarthFed]

This is still Radek ultimately. He isn't beating anyone good, especially at that age.

 

[kskate2]

good point from Radek 15-30

 

[kskate2]

2 CC FH's. 30-30

 

[golds girl]

DF #8 for 0-15

Rafa always winds himself up for his 1st matches and gets extra nervous...he'll calm down after this match

 

[kskate2]

great serve. MP

 

[Moxie]

Sometimes Rafa is Houdini, and he was tonight. Stepanek was valiant.

 

[kskate2]

DF #8 for 0-15

Rafa always winds himself up for his 1st matches and gets extra nervous...he'll calm down after this match

One would hope GG. I don't think he can afford to get any more riled up.

 

[Front242]

Entertaining match and kudos to Stepanek for not bowing out with 2 blowout sets. That was very close right till the end.

 

[Front242]

8 double faults for Rafa. Ouch.

 

[Moxie]

This was always going to be a tricky first round. As Gimelstob just said, "There's a big difference between playing him (Nadal) close, and beating him." Fun match.

 

[Front242]

This was always going to be a tricky first round. As Gimelstob just said, "There's a big difference between playing him (Nadal) close, and beating him." Fun match.

For sure. Just ask Gulbis. Seems to do it nearly every match and Dimitrov is giving Nadal tough matches too even if he hasn't won one yet. Good match alright.