Nadal en a eu plein les bras

Agence QMI
11/08/2010 22h56


L'espagnol a eu un peu de difficulté lors de sa première manche de la Coupe Rogers 2010. Il s'est bien repris au deuxième.
© Agence QMI / Stan Behal

TORONTO – L’Espagnol Rafael Nadal en a eu plein les bras, mercredi soir, lors de son premier match du tournoi de la Coupe Rogers, à Toronto.

Le meilleur joueur au monde a vu le Suisse Stanislas Wawrinka, tombeur au premier tour du Canadien Frank Dancevic, le forcer au bris d’égalité lors de la première manche. La suite a été plus facile, Nadal triomphant en bout de ligne par 7-6 (12) et 6-3.

Lors de la manche initiale, Wawrinka a réussi six aces aux dépens du premier favori.

Pourtant, statistiquement, le gaucher Nadal aurait dû faire une bouchée de son vis-à-vis. Wawrinka n’avait remporté que deux tournois depuis le début de sa carrière, comparativement à 41 pour le joueur originaire de l’île Majorque, dans la Méditerranée.

Un peu plus tôt cette année, Nadal avait facilement éliminé le Suisse au tournoi de Rome par 6-4 et 6-1.

Plus tôt au cours de la journée, après avoir connu une première manche ardue, les favoris Novak Djokovic (3) et Andy Murray (4) sont parvenus à passer au troisième tour.

Djokovic a battu le Français Julien Benneteau en deux manches de 7-5, alors que Murray a vaincu le Belge Xavier Malisse 7-5 et 6-2.

La plus grosse surprise de la journée est venue de l’Ukrainien Alexandr Dolgopolov. Ce dernier a éliminé le 12e favori, le Russe Mikhail Youzhny, 1-6, 7-6 et 7-5.

SOURCE

An interview with Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal
Second-Round Press Conference
August 12, 2010

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. After such a long time without playing tennis, how difficult was it to find your rhythm today?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I was pretty happy, no? Less difficult than other times. So I happy the way that I played. Sure, I had the few mistakes in the tiebreak, one smash, one easy volley, backhand easy volley, yeah, one backhand in important moment. But in general, I think I played well, so is not always easy after stop. Play well the first match, and I beat against very tough opponent like Stanislas, no? So I very happy.

Q. What was your goal coming into the match? Were you trying to be more aggressive than normal or trying to play with more margin?
RAFAEL NADAL: My goal was to win. That was my goal today, no? When you come back after a few time without play tournaments, so is always difficult, so just try my best and try to find my rhythm there, no?
I know before the match going to be a very dangerous match against Wawrinka, so I was worry about the match before.
Sure, it’s very important to start with victory, no? Because if you lose today, especially ?? first thing, is important tournament. Second thing, you wait another week to play another match, and for me, the important thing is keep playing matches. That’s very good victory against big opponent.

Q. Was that first?set tiebreak as much fun for you as it was for us? Do you remember having a tiebreak like that at all?
RAFAEL NADAL: I played one here two years ago against Gasquet I think same, 14?12. I lost. So never is fun play tiebreaks like this because lots of pressure in every point, but if you win, gives you a lot of confidence. So always important win tiebreaks, so I think ?? I have a little bit of all, a little bit of everything today being the first match after a while without compete.
So I had difficult moments. I had moments that I played well. I played more aggressive in the second set on the return. So I did a little bit of everything, and that’s very positive.

Q. Did you have any doubts throughout the tiebreaker at all?
RAFAEL NADAL: If I have…

Q. Did you have any doubts throughout the tiebreaker at all?
RAFAEL NADAL: Doubts?

Q. Through the difficult parts, yeah.
RAFAEL NADAL: In every point. (Laughter.)
Yeah, sure. Match was very close.

Q. You’ve complained in previous years coming into the US Open Series that your forehand was a little bit off to start on your first match. Do you feel that that’s something that you really want to improve going forward throughout the week, and if so, what do you need to do to get it to where you want it to be?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) I don’t remember these things, but my forehand is my best shot. So if I not happy with my forehand, I have a big problem. (Laughter.)

Q. In previous years when you’ve arrived at this time of the season, it’s often been quite difficult for you because you’ve had so many matches and you’ve been quite tired. How do you feel now compared to previous years? Do you feel fresher?
RAFAEL NADAL: I don’t know. I don’t know. I feel good, so I came here with big motivation and for sure big illusion to play my best level, my best tennis. Here gonna be a challenge for me because the first tournament, but every day improves a little bit, and finish play my best level as soon as I can.
For me, for sure, this American hardcourt season is very important. I think I am fine. I gonna be fine, I hope, physically. But mentally I’m sure I gonna be fine.

Q. Has there ever been a year at the US Open where you didn’t feel like your physical condition was a reason for your loss? And what are you doing this year to make sure that doesn’t happen?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.)

Q. Like part of the reason for the loss at the
US Open. Has there ever been a year where you felt like your physical condition wasn’t a reason for your loss?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) Yes. I lost in 2008 being perfect physically in semifinals, being perfect physically in semifinals against Andy Murray, so I was tired, but physically I was perfect. I was tired mentally. I lost, and he played better than me.
So 2006 I was perfect physically, and I lost against Youzhny quarterfinals. 2005 I lost against Blake in third round. I was perfect physically.
I had a few problems in 2007 with my knees, with my left knee, I think. And in 2009 I have abdominal broke. So I broke my abdominal here ?? well, in Montreal last year. So I played Cincinnati and US Open with a tear on abdominal and bigger and bigger every time.

Q. After you won the first set, Stan’s coach said that if Stan plays the way he did in that set it speaks well for the future of his career. You’ve beat him many times. Is this some of the best tennis you’ve seen from him?
RAFAEL NADAL: He played well. He’s a very good player. He always was a very good player, I think. He was in the top 10, so I know Stan can play at this level, and it’s not a surprise.
So I think he has enough potential to be in the top another time, and for me it’s not a surprise watch Wawrinka beating me or beating top players. I think he’s a top player.

Q. Your doubles experience with Novak only lasted one match. How did you find the Canadian pair that you played? And will you and Novak team up again in the future?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, well, it was very positive, no? I think play with Novak was a good experience. Sure, we would love to have the chance to win, but Canadians played very well, good serve, very good movements on the net.
We had our chances, but they played better. But maybe in the future, yeah, why not? Why not we can play another time?
I don’t play a lot of doubles, that’s true, but I love to play doubles. I don’t play a lot because I had a few problems physically, physical problems in the past, no? But I love doubles and I love play doubles because I think is a very positive thing to improve your tennis.

SOURCE

Nadal dice que está "muy contento" con su juego tras pasar a cuartos

Por Agencia EFE – Hace 1 minuto.

Toronto (Canadá), 13 ago (EFE).- El número uno del mundo, el español Rafael Nadal, dijo que estaba contento con el juego que desarrolló en la Copa Rogers de Toronto tras derrotar al surafricano Kevin Anderson en dos sets.

Anderson, de 2,03 metros de altura, exhibió un potente saque que en varias ocasiones alcanzó los 220 kilómetros por hora y al principio puso en dificultades al tenista español.

Pero tras los tres primeros juegos del primer set, Nadal pareció encontrar un antídoto a los cañonazos de Anderson, el número 87 del mundo.

El tenista de Manacor explicó que el cambio se debió a que "empecé a devolver el segundo servicio desde dentro. Al principio estaba devolviendo tres metros por detrás de la línea de saque. Fue importante. Pero después del primer set no fue fácil devolver el segundo servicio desde dentro porque lo cambió mucho".

En el segundo set, Anderson fue capaz de romper el servicio de Nadal y llevar el partido a la muerte súbita.

"Parecía que tenía el segundo set bajo control con un 4-2 pero cometí un par de errores. Y después de eso fue un segundo set difícil. Pero estoy bastante contento de como jugué, especialmente el primer set" declaró Nadal.

El español también fue preguntado sobre unas declaraciones del suizo Roger Federer en las que el número 3 mundial expresó su deseo de jugar dobles con el tenista español.

"Me encantaría jugar con Roger. En nuestra carrera hemos tenido muchos momentos importantes juntos. He jugado dobles con diferentes parejas. Para mí sería un placer si un día Roger quiere jugar conmigo" señaló.

Nadal disputa este viernes los cuartos de final ante el alemán Philipp Kohlschreiber (el número 37 del mundo).

EFE

Nadal en quarts

Le 13/08/2010 à 07:39


Grâce notamment à une très bonne première manche, Rafael Nadal s'est qualifié pour les quarts de finale à Toronto.(REUT)

Rafal Nadal s'est qualifié dans la nuit de jeudi à vendredi pour les quarts de finale du tournoi de Toronto en battant le Sud-Africain Kevin Anderson (6-2, 7-6 [6]). Facile dans le premier set, le numéro 1 mondial n'a commis que 4 fautes directes et remporté les quatre derniers jeux pour boucler la manche en 38 minutes. Détaché 4 jeux à 2 dans le deuxième set, Nadal a perdu son break d'avance et vu revenir sur lui le qualifié qui avait fait tomber Sam Querrey au tour précédent. Direction le tie-break. Un exercice bouclé par l'Espagnol sur sa deuxième balle de match.

Après une première rencontre difficile contre Stanislas Wawrinka, Nadal s'est montré plus en jambes pour son deuxième match depuis sa victoire à Wimbledon. Avec la qualification de l'Espagnol, les 4 premières têtes de séries de ce tournoi de Toronto seront présentes en quarts de finale. Le numéro 1 mondial y retrouvera l'Allemand Philip Kohlschreiber.

www.lequipe.fr

Nadal continue

13/08 07h11 - Tennis, ATP, Toronto

Rafael Nadal s’est qualifié pour les quarts de finale du Masters 1000 de Toronto au détriment du Sud-Africain Kevin Anderson (6/2 7/6).

Vainqueur de Kevin Anderson (6/2 7/6) en huitièmes de finale du Masters 1000 de Toronto, Rafael Nadal retrouvera Philipp Kohlschreiber en quarts. Ça passe également pour Novak Djokovic, tombeur de Victor Hanescu (6/3 6/4). Le Serbe sera le prochain adversaire du dernier Français en lice, Jérémy Chardy.

www.sport24.com

Toronto: Nadal poursuit sa route

13/08/2010 - 08:06

Rafael Nadal a validé la nuit dernière son billet pour les quarts de finale du Masters 1000 de Toronto. Le n°1 mondial s'est défait du Sud-Africain Kevin Anderson en deux manches (6-2, 7-6). L'Espagnol, qui dispute son premier tournoi depuis son sacre à Wimbledon, sera opposé au prochain tour à l'Allemand Kohlschreiber.

www.sports.fr

Nadal se relâche mais passe


Rafael Nadal Rafael Nadal a mieux joué qu'au tour précédent (Panoramic)

Sans surprise, Rafael Nadal a franchi l’obstacle Kevin Anderson et se retrouve en quarts de finale du Masters 1000 de Toronto. Mais le n°1 mondial aurait pu boucler l’affaire plus vite. Novak Djokovic a connu moins de problèmes et retrouvera Jérémy Chardy.

par Nicolas Cerbelle, le 13-08-2010

Il avait débuté le tournoi dans la douleur face à Stanislas Wawrinka, commettant notamment 27 fautes directes dans le premier set face au Suisse. Pas franchement habitué à ce genre de cadeaux, Rafael Nadal avait à cœur de prouver que cette statistique était à mettre sur le compte de la reprise (il n’avait plus joué depuis Wimbledon).

Seulement 4 fautes dans le 1er set

Déterminé face au qualifié sud-africain Kevin Anderson, tombeur de Sam Querrey au deuxième tour, l’Espagnol commettait seulement quatre erreurs dans la manche initiale qu’il remportait en alignant quatre jeux consécutifs (6/2). Auteur d’un nouveau break d’entrée de deuxième acte, il ne pouvait voir la victoire lui échapper. Et pourtant, Anderson profitait d’un bref moment de relâchement pour convertir sa seule occasion de break du match et recoller à 4/4. Nadal évitait cependant la prolongation en empochant le tie-break (7/6) sur sa deuxième balle de match (8 points à 6). «Il semblait que j’avais le match en mains dans le deuxième set, à 4/2, mais j’ai commis deux erreurs en coup droit et il a joué deux bons points. Après c’était très serré. Mais je suis satisfait de la façon dont j’ai joué, spécialement dans le premier set.»

sport24.com
SOURCE

An interview with Rafael Nadal

R. NADAL/K. Anderson
6 2, 7 6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Obviously his serve is the biggest weapon, and in the beginning you seemed to have a lot of trouble with it, but after about two and a half games you were able to break him. What kind of adjustments did you make?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I started to return the second serve inside the court. In the beginning, I was returning three meters behind the baseline. After, I returned the second serve on the line. So, yes, this was important point, but after that first set wasn't easy to return the second serve inside, too, you know, because he change it a lot, the directions and the yeah, he serve it with slice, he serve it with topspin, so wasn't easy, no?
Anyway, seemed like I had the match under control in the second, 4 2, but I had two mistakes with my forehand, and he played two good points. And after that, yeah, was really tough second set, no? But I am very happy how I played, especially the first set. It was very good.

Q. Over and over again, you continue in the big moments to bring the best tennis. What is the secret formula? What do you do out there?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. (Smiling.)
I don't know, no? I just think point by point, and I think I am exactly the same nervous like everybody, and, you know, some moments you play better; some moments you play worse, no?
I never played well these all important moments, no? When you are playing well and when you are with confidence in these moments, the things you are ready to play your best tennis. When you are without confidence without winning matches, you have more problems at these moments no? It happened to me last year the second part of the year, last six months of 2009.
So, you know, I never played well in important moments, but now I am playing much better, and for that reason I can play well better important moments.

Q. Earlier this week Federer was in this room and he was asked a question, Would you guys ever get together as a team to play doubles? He says, and I quote, the media wouldn't like it because we see you guys as rivals, but he said, Yeah, I would team up with him. So what do you say? When is the dream team getting together?


RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) Well, I never had any problem, for sure. I will be I would love to play with Roger. I think we had a lot of important moments. We lived a lot of important moments together in our career, so that's good life experience to play with him, too.

I did with Novak. I played doubles with different partners, so I love play doubles. For me, gonna be a pleasure if any day Roger wants to play with me.

Q. Maybe next year at the Rogers Cup, you guys double up?

RAFAEL NADAL: Tomorrow ask him.

Q. Okay. I will get back to you.

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I don't know.

Q. I'm curious, when you were younger and you switched from hitting with your right hand to your left hand, how did your Uncle Toni come up with the idea to try that? And how difficult was it for you at that age to switch from hitting right handed to left handed?

RAFAEL NADAL: That never happened. No, no, no. Wasn't an idea of Uncle Toni. For sure is impossible to change the right for the left, no?
I started playing tennis with two backhands, playing two hands forehand, two hands backhand, and one day I had to start playing, but we didn't decide I have to play with the left or I have to play with the right.
The natural thing for me was play with the left. That's the thing, no? I played football with the left all my life. That's true. With the rest things of the life, like eat, have the feeling of to give something or to take something, I do everything with the right, no?
But the feeling for the sport, I always had the feeling with the left.

Q. Spanish athletes seem to be winning everything these days, in tennis, cycling, football, basketball. How do you explain that?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I think we are a little bit lucky to have a lot of good sportsmans at the same generation. That's a little bit of lucky, for sure.
And second thing is because the things that we had was the right things, no? So I don't know. I think in Spain is big for sport, and for sure in cycling, Contador did unbelievable the last four years, winning three tours and the other one he can't participate, but he won the Giro d'Italia. So was amazing.
And in Formula 1, Alonso is doing well. In MotoGP we were leading the three competitions, Lorenzo, Marcos, and Alia. So everything is going perfect, no?
We won the World Cup and Gasol won the NBA. We can ask more, and I don't know why, but we are in a very good way now. We have to enjoy these moments, but it's going to be very difficult to repeat, I think.

Q. I'd like to congratulate you and your country for what you've achieved so far. How do you see the support that you've generated so far in Toronto compared to other places you've been this year?

RAFAEL NADAL: Support of the crowds? I feel perfect here. I always feel great. The crowd was always perfect with me. They make me feel like home, and for me, always is a pleasure be in Canada here, and Montreal, I won in both tournaments.
So I had the very nice memories from both, in Montreal because I won my first title on hardcourt, and in Toronto because when I won in 2008 was the last tournament before being No. 1. So winning this tournament I did this effort, no?
So anyway, they make me feel perfect and I'm very happy here in Montreal and in Toronto.

Q. Can you comment on former No. 1, Thomas Muster, asking for your assistance during the fall season in his comeback to tennis?

RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) Well, if he wants to come to Mallorca and practice with me in December, I will be happy. That's the only way that I can help him, but gonna be nice and gonna be good fun for terrific comeback.

Q. After traveling to South Africa and being with the Spanish team for the World Cup, how do you compare the emotions you've had and the victories in tennis to there, and your emotions on the World Cup?

RAFAEL NADAL: It's completely different. It's impossible to compare, but live that moment there with the players and with the stadium, be there on the stadium when we won the World Cup was just amazing, no?
When the referee finish the match, I was crying, so was, you know, for us in Spain was a big tradition of football. Is king sport, so we deserve to win that title so much.
We did amazing the last 20 years, having a lot of unlucky quarterfinals, the referees was so hard with us in the States, in Korea, and Japan. Well, we deserve really to win that title, and I am a big, big fan of football and was very emotional that moment.

site officiel

Toronto: Nadal rejoint Murray

13/08/2010 - 22:51

Rafael Nadal a dû s’employer pour rejoindre Andy Murray, qu’il affrontera en demi-finale du Masters 1000 de Toronto. Opposé à Philipp Kohlschreiber, le Majorquin a eu besoin de deux heures et trois sets pour dominer l’Allemand (3-6, 6-3, 6-4).

www.sports.fr

Nadal a souffert

13/08 22h52 - Tennis, ATP, Toronto

Rafael Nadal a lutté pour décrocher sa place en demi-finales du tournoi de Toronto.

Aux forceps, Rafael Nadal s’est qualifié pour les demi-finales du tournoi de Toronto face à Philipp Kohlschreiber en trois manches (3/6 6/3 6/4). L’Espagnol, qui a perdu son premier set cette semaine au Canada face à l'Allemand, affrontera Andy Murray pour une place en finale.

www.sport24.com

Toronto : Nadal souffre mais passe


© panoramic

Jean-Moise DUBOURG
vendredi 13 août 2010 - 22h49

Opposé à Philipp Kohlschreiber (37eme mondial), un joueur qu'il avait déjà battu à six reprises en autant de confrontations mais qui avait réussi à lui chiper un set en début d'année lors de l'Open d'Australie, l'Espagnol Rafael Nadal a souffert vendredi en quarts de finale du Masters 1000 de Toronto (Canada). Dominé dans la première manche, le numéro 1 mondial a en effet eu besoin de trois manches (3-6, 6-3, 6-4) et deux heures pour se débarrasser du natif d'Augsburg, qui échoue du même coup pour la quatrième fois de sa carrière en quarts de finale d'un Masters 1000 après Monte-Carlo 2010, Cincinnati 2008 et Monte-Carlo 2007. En demi-finales, le Majorquin retrouvera le tenant du titre britannique Andy Murray contre lequel il mène 8-3 (1-1 en 2010) au bilan de leurs duels. A signaler que les deux hommes s'étaient déjà affrontés en demi-finales du Masters 1000 canadien il y a deux ans : Nadal s'était imposé en deux manches (7-6, 6-3).

www.sport365.fr

Nadal passe

Andy Murray a tranquillement composté son billet pour les demi-finales du Masters 1000 de Toronto en écrasant David Nalbandian (6/2 6/2). Rafael Nadal a quant à lui eu plus de mal pour venir à bout de Philipp Kohlschreiber...

par Christophe Remise, le 13-08-2010

Nadal en trois sets

Son prochain adversaire ? Un certain Rafael Nadal, vainqueur de l’Allemand Philipp Kohlschreiber. Mais ce ne fut pas une formalité pour l’Espagnol, pourtant grandissime favori de la rencontre…. Car c’est bien l’Allemand qui a remporté le premier set, semant ainsi le doute dans l’esprit du numéro 1 mondial (3/6). Extrêmement solide sur son service (20 points gagnés sur 25), il parvenait à s’emparer de celui de son adversaire une fois, sur l’une de ses trois balles de break. Nadal ne reproduisait pas deux fois les mêmes erreurs et remportait 91% des points sur son service pour gagner la deuxième manche (6/3). Il conservait également tous ses services lors du troisième set, tout en en prenant un à Kohlschreiber qui s’avouait vaincu sur un jeu blanc sur la mise en jeu de Nadal. Reste qu’après ces deux matches, on peut se dire que le grand favori de l’édition 2010 de la Rogers Cup se nomme Andy Murray….

sport24.com
SOURCE

Nadal rejoint Murray

Le 13/08/2010 à 22:57


Rafael Nadal continue son parcours à Toronto, mais ce fut plus dur que prévu contre Kohlschreiber.(REUT)

Rafael Nadal s'est qualifié, vendredi à Toronto, pour les demi-finales de l'Open du Canada, aux dépens de l'Allemand Philipp Kohlschreiber (3-6, 6-3, 6-4) en deux heures pile de jeu. Il retrouvera en demi-finale le tenant du titre, Andy Murray, impressionnant plus tôt dans la journée contre David Nalbandian.

Auteur d'un début de rencontre inquiétant qui valait à son adversaire de remporter les trois premiers jeux de la partie, le numéro un mondial a éprouvé les plus grandes peines à se défaire du joueur germanique. Il lui a fallu un break dans le deuxième set et un autre au septième jeu du troisième pour mettre à la raison le 37e joueur mondial. Ce sera la neuvième fois que l'Espagnol atteint le dernier carré d'un tournoi cette saison. Mais, au vu des efforts fournis contre Kohlschreiber, la rencontre qui l'attend contre Murray ne s'annonce pas simple.

www.lequipe.fr

An interview with: RAFAEL NADAL

R. NADAL/P. Kohlschreiber
3/6, 6/3, 6/4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You have always tough battles with Kohlschreiber on hardcourt. Is there any specific reason?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, he's  well, first of all, every match is tough, no? And second thing, he's a good player. I think today I started terrible in the beginning, but anyway, always he's difficult to beat, no?
So it is a good victory for me, especially because I finished the match playing better in the third. Sure, being in the semifinals is very good news for me, no, for me the very first tournament on hard after one month and a half without competition.
So I happy to be in semifinal and now I want to enjoy the match tomorrow and gonna be difficult. Well, I hope be ready to play my best tennis and try to have chances.

Q. Philipp said you've improved so much through the years that he's played you in being aggressive, especially noting that off the second serve you're putting the ball in play and really being aggressive on the second ball. Could you speak a little bit about that? Is it something you've really tried to focus on?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it's important in this surface is play aggressive, no? To play, you must be playing well. If not, is impossible. Well, probably today I didn't play well, no? I still trying to play aggressive for moments when I had the chance.
Finally, when you have lot of years here on the tour like I have now finally, you understand that's is impossible to win big tournaments like Toronto without play aggressive. Anyway, you playing defensive, you can win a few matches, but be or have the chance to be in semifinals or finals is impossible playing defensive because finally you play against the best players of the world. And if you have defensive in this court, it's impossible to beat these players. Anyway, playing well or playing bad, I have to play aggressive.

Q. You play Andy Murray next. Is Andy more difficult to play on a hardcourt than on the other surfaces?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think so, yes. I think here is the favorite surface for him. The hardcourt I think is the surface that is more difficult to beat him.
I had good battles against him in every surface, but on hard I have few wins, win Australia in 2005 and 2007, I think, or like this year in Australia was a good match, I think. I had to retire in the beginning, but it was a great match.
Last year in Indian Wells was too windy, and in Rotterdam I was injured. So always was tough, and he's playing well. He did a very good match today and will be very difficult tomorrow, for sure.

Q. You talked earlier this week about the importance of attacking the return. Why is it that sometimes you do that and sometimes you have to tell yourself to do it?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.)

Q. Sometimes you do it, and sometimes you have to remind yourself?
RAFAEL NADAL: (Through translation.) Well, is easy for me to return inside on grass than hard, because the bounce stays a little bit lower, and, you know, on grass you know you can have mistakes because it's part of the game and here is mixed, no? Is no play that you can play two meters behind the line the first shot and tough to go inside.
Here, if you lose court, you go three meters behind the line, you have to play a very good shot. If not, they have the control of the point and is almost impossible to come back on the point no?
I did a few times, but this is impossible finally to do all the match, no? So, sure, is important return inside, but is a little bit more difficult for me here than grass that I think on grass my return is more effective when I play aggressive than the rest of the surfaces.
Here I would love to keep improving that and try to keep, in the end, return like I do on grass, but I worked a lot on that, and I have to keep working to keep improving. Is not enough, I think.

Q. Andy always says when he's watching tennis, you're the guy that he likes to watch because of the way that you play. Do you enjoy the matches between and you Andy? The one at Wimbledon recently, the standard of tennis was fantastic.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. Well, sure. Just can say thank you to Andy for the words, but play against him always a challenge, because if you are not playing your best is impossible to win, and playing your best at the same time is very difficult, too, almost.
Sure, always is good to play against him, because you have to find the right way to try to win. In Wimbledon, grass is a little bit different because I know how, what I have to do exactly, not because I know the tactic, but is because the court says that and I have to play aggressive. I have to serve well and play aggressive all the time.
Here is a little bit more different, no? I am sure, if I really want to have chances to win, I have to play aggressive. I must play aggressive. Is not going to be impossible but not exactly like grass. So we will see what happen tomorrow, but for me is good to have these kind of matches on hardcourt, to keep going to my best level, no? I need to improve a little bit my level for tomorrow. I hope  I think I can do it, but is a good test tomorrow, yeah?

Q. I wonder if we're seeing your bestever level, because the season you're putting together is unbelievable: two Grand Slams, three Masters Series already, coming back from your injury problems, has been amazing. Is this your bestever season and bestever level?
RAFAEL NADAL: We will see when I finish the season. I don't know. In 2008 I did the same, winning Olympics, too.
So right now in the five Masters Series, I won three  no. This is the sixth, so I won three. I had two semifinals and then am in semifinals another time. So is very regular season for me. That's very positive and is very good news. I won the three hardcourt tournaments, Masters 1000. I was in the semifinals. I hope this one can have the chance to be in the final.

Q. You had treatment on your knees after Wimbledon. After three matches, how do they feel?
RAFAEL NADAL: I feel perfect. Thank you.

Q. About the return, about being more aggressive, do you go into the match making the adjustment, especially on the hardcourt? Because you're not sure of the balance, you know, how much to be aggressive, how much to play a little more neutral? Do you, literally in the match, are thinking, okay, I need to be more aggressive or is it just aggressive all the time?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. It depends on the moment, is the feeling you have in that moment. Some moments you can go inside and some moments you think, well, I have to go two meters behind and I have to play a solid point because he's having more mistakes than me. So it depends of the moment. Depends how the match is going.

Q. A lot of it is based on your confidence, then? Just believing in what you're going to choose to do and just do it?
RAFAEL NADAL: What?

Q. A lot of it is based on your confidence? If you're feeling good, then you'll just choose the tactic and go forward?
RAFAEL NADAL: If I feel good, I don't know if I gonna be inside or two meters behind. Depends at the moment, I repeat, because if I feel good playing two meters behind, I can play a long shot the first one and tough to play to have the control of the point with my forehand.
If I think I have to put pressure on the rival for the first shot, I have to go inside. I play aggressive shot from the baseline trying to find a winner. But I repeat: depends of the feeling. Sometimes I am returning and I think, well, if I go inside this time I think I gonna have a mistake because of more risk, so I go two meters behind.
I don't know. Everything change. The mind change in every minute, I think.

Q. You've now won I think 34 of your last 35 matches. Is this as well as you've played over a long period of time since 2008 where you went through all the way to the gold medal in Beijing?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah. Well, sure is one of the best moments of my career. Is a stupid  don't say that, because that's true winning three Masters 1000, winning Roland Garros, and Wimbledon, I'm now in semifinals here. That's true, no?
But I want to be with Super Glue, because, you know, four months ago I was  I never gonna  everybody says Rafa, I don't know, never gonna be another time on the top, and now I am the best.
I don't think  it's not like this before, and I'm not that good right now, no? Is always a mix, no? I think in that moments I wasn't playing well to win. This time I played unbelievable and I was ready to win, and now we will see what happened, no?
But I always work hard to be here and to be competitive in every tournament that I play. Sometimes works well; sometimes didn't work like this. Didn't work perfect, no? But I always try my best, and that's what I gonna keep doing, if I win, if I lose, doesn't matter.

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Nadal peine contre Kohlschreiber

publié le 14 août 2010 à 05h59 par NicolasPoulin (Nicolas Poulin)


Rafael Nadal - Flickr (mirsasha)

Le numéro un mondial, Rafael Nadal a disposé de l'Allemand Philipp Kohlschreiber (37e) en trois manches de 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 lors des quarts de finale de la Coupe Rogers, vendredi.

Kohlschreiber a rapidement pris les commandes 3-0 en début de match et cela a porté fruit! L'Allemand a mis la main sur la première manche 6-3.

Lors du deuxième engagement, le champion en titre de Wimbledon a démontré tout son arsenal de coups à son adversaire. Cette magnifique prestation lui a permis de remporter le set au compte de 6 jeux à 3.

Au troisième set, Kohlschreiber était ex aequo avec son rival. Mais lorsque Nadal a brisé pour prendre les devants 4-3, l'Espagnol a filé avec la victoire. Le taureau de Manacor a fermé les livres avec un pointage de 6-4. Les amateurs ont eu droit à 2h00 de tennis de haut calibre.

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Kohlschreiber donne très chaud à Nadal

Vendredi 13 août 2010
LA PRESSE CANADIENNE

TORONTO - Rafael Nadal, favori du tournoi, a fait face à une bonne opposition à la Coupe Rogers, vendredi, alors qu'il a eu besoin de trois manches pour battre Philipp Kohlschreiber et atteindre les demi-finales de ce tournoi ATP doté d'une bourse de 2,43 millions $US.

Nadal, qui a remporté cet événement en 2005 et 2008, a démontré pourquoi il est le numéro un mondial alors qu'il a rebondi après avoir perdu la première manche. Il a finalement gagner le match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Alors que Kohlschreiber était au service à 3-3 en troisième manche, Nadal a remporté quatre points consécutifs, dont le bris d'égalité. Les deux joueurs ont ensuite conservé leur service. Nadal a battu l'Allemand, classé 37e au monde, en exactement deux heures.

"Tous les matchs sont difficiles et c'est un bon joueur. Ce n'est pas facile de le battre, a dit Nadal. J'ai connu un très mauvais début de match ... C'est une belle victoire, puisque j'ai mieux joué en fin de rencontre."

Kohlschreiber et Nadal ont tenté d'épuiser leur adversaire à l'aide de bonnes frappes à partir du fond de terrain. L'Allemand a eu des difficultés avec son revers à la troisième manche tandis que l'Espagnol a augmenté la qualité de son jeu après la première manche.


"Il a été très agressif et m'a forcé à reculer, a souligné Kohlschreiber. C'était difficile, et il y avait beaucoup de pression lors des jeux où mon service n'était pas à point. Il s'est tellement amélioré."

L'Espagnol affrontera le Britannique Andy Murray en demi-finale.

"Il joue bien et ce sera très difficile demain (samedi), a souligné Nadal. C'est toujours un défi de jouer contre lui. Je dois améliorer mon niveau (de jeu)."

Murray a besoin de deux autres victoires pour conserver son titre à la Coupe Rogers. Il a vaincu David Nalbandian 6-2, 6-2 pour accéder aux demi-finales.

Murray, quatrième tête de série, n'a eu besoin que de 69 minutes pour signer sa victoire et mettre fin à la séquence de 11 matchs victorieux de Nalbandian.

"C'était probablement un de mes meilleurs matchs cette année, a dit Murray. Je m'attendais à un match difficile, mais ce ne fut pas le cas.

"Tu sais, quand tu joues et que tu ne réfléchis pas trop... Tu ne penses pas trop au pointage, car au cours des dernières années il a été l'un des meilleurs pour venir de l'arrière.

"Le pointage indique que le match a été très facile. Cependant, à la première manche, il y a eu beaucoup de jeux qui se sont rendus à 30-30 ou à égalité. J'ai réussi à m'accrocher."

Nalbandian, qui a remporté le tournoi de Washington la semaine dernière, a donné crédit à Murray, mais a admis que le fait de jouer 10 matchs en 14 jours ne l'a pas aidé.

"Je suis un peu fatigué de toutes ces semaines, de la semaine dernière et de cette semaine, et je n'ai pas eu de repos, a indiqué Nalbandian. Cependant, je suis satisfait de la manière dont j'ai essayé de jouer. Quelques jeux ont été serrés, mais j'ai fait des erreurs idiotes."

En quarts de finale du double, les favoris ont subi une élimination précoce. Le Torontois Daniel Nestor et le Serbe Nenad Zimonjic se sont inclinés en deux manches.

Ils ont baissé pavillon 6-3 et 7-6 (5) face au Tchèque Frantisek Cermak et au Slovaque Michal Mertinak.

SOURCE

ATP - Toronto > Nadal : "Pas très content de mon jeu"

Par Vincent Esse, samedi 14 août 2010 à 15:12

Même s'il a fait l'essentiel en dominant Philipp Kohlschreiber, Rafael Nadal n'était pas satisfait de la manière et s'attend à un match difficile contre Andy Murray : "C'était un match compliqué, mais j'ai fini par trouver la faille même si je ne suis pas très content de mon début de partie. J'ai bien géré le troisième set dans lequel Philipp a eu une balle de break. Le match contre Murray sera encore plus dur, sur sa surface préférée, mais en jouant mon jeu je peux le battre".

www.welovetennis.fr

Toronto: Murray écarte Nadal

14/08/2010 - 22:58

Andy Murray s’est qualifié ce samedi pour la finale du Masters 1000 de Toronto. L’Ecossais, tenant du titre, a dominé Rafael Nadal en deux manches (6-3, 6-4). Un succès logique puisque mise à part une alerte au milieu du deuxième set, le n°4 mondial a globalement dominé les débats. Il sera opposé dimanche au vainqueur de l’autre demi-finale entre Roger Federer et Novak Djokovic.

www.sports.fr

Murray se paie Nadal

14/08 23h03 - Tennis, ATP, Toronto

Andy Murray s’est qualifié pour la finale du Masters 1000 de Toronto ce samedi aux dépens de Rafael Nadal.

Andy Murray est en finale du Masters 1000 de Toronto ! Le Britannique, tenant du titre, s’est défait de Rafael Nadal ce samedi en demies (6/3 6/4). Il affrontera Roger Federer ou Novak Djokovic pour tenter de conserver son titre.

www.sport24.com

Murray terrasse Nadal

Le 14/08/2010 à 23:02

Auteur d'un match très solide, Andy Murray s'est imposé (6-3, 6-4) contre Rafael Nadal. En finale, le tenant du titre affrontera Roger Federer ou Novak Djokovic.


Après un match très solide contre Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray s'est qualifié pour sa deuxième finale d'affilée au Canada.(REUT)

Ce n'est pas une victoire à la Pyrrhus mais un succès à la Nadal. Avec sa couverture de terrain hors du commun et son sens de la géométrie du court, Andy Murray a battu (6-3, 6-4 en 1h43') l'Espagnol à son propre jeu. Le tenant du titre a joué juste. Il a agressé le Majorquin sur ses secondes balles de service et provoqué les fautes en variant parfaitement les effets et les trajectoires (23 points gagnants et 23 fautes directes).

Une victoire à la Nadal, c'est un succès au physique. Avec ses qualités athlétiques, sa capacité d'anticipation et de prises de balle précoces, le Britannique a privé de solutions et de temps son adversaire. Fait rarissime : Rafael Nadal a souvent surjoué ! Peu de joueurs peuvent se targuer de voir le numéro 1 mondial commettre autant d'erreurs (23 fautes directes pour 11 points gagnants). Plus puissant au service, Andy Murray a pu souffler avec des points gratuits à l'image de ses trois aces pour conclure le premier set (9 aces au total).

Murray, une victoire au physique et au mental

Une victoire à la Nadal, c'est aussi un succès au mental. Entre deux champions de cette dimension, c'est surtout une somme de petits détails. Le premier signe du destin se situe à 3-3 (30-40). Le deuxième service d'Andy Murray flirte avec la ligne, l'arbitre ne dit rien et Rafael Nadal joue le point qui s'achève par une faute en coup droit. Le sourcil relevé et la moue toujours expressive, l'Espagnol regarde la marque. Mais c'est trop tard, la balle est faute, le point est joué et perdu.

Le deuxième signe clignote à 6-3, 3-1 (40-40). Quand l'attaque du Britannique sort, le Majorquin souffle. Quand le 4e mondial cède son break à 3-2, Rafael Nadal saute comme un cabri. Quand l'Espagnol mène 4-3 et s'offre deux balles de break (15-40), Andy Murray grimace sans plus. Un joueur moyen pourrait se morfondre et se ressasser l'occasion manquée. Le Britannique enchaîne trois jeux d'affilée et prend l'engagement de son adversaire en alignant les fusées en retours. Puis il conclut par un service gagnant. Il peut serrer le point. Il assure sa 4e place mondiale au classement et surtout il peut égaler Andre Agassi, dernier jouer à avoir réalisé le doublé au Canada. Derrière ses lunettes de soleil, maman Judy jubile.

www.lequipe.fr

An interview with Rafael Nadal

August 14, 2010
RAFAEL NADAL

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Tied at 3 in the first set you had a couple of chances to break his serve, and he kind of took over from there. Why was he so hard to put away at some points today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, well, playing against Andy always is a challenge. Is very difficult player in every surface, I told you yesterday. Here a little bit more than the rest, in my opinion, no?
But anyway, I had the chance 3?All, 15?40, and he made double fault. The referee was watching another court, but was double fault. (Laughter.)
But sure is not an excuse, is only a point and the match is a lot of points, no?
Anyway, sure, was important point, but after that he played better than me. My serve didn’t work well. My serve was the worst thing in my game, I think, today for sure, and to play and to win Andy, I had to serve much better than what I did today. My serve was very bad today.

Q. Talking about your serve, before the game started, you took a few more minutes to practice your serve. Were you feeling that that was going to be a problem?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. Well, I didn’t have the big chance to practice with the serve, because I have go slowly. Last year I started in Montreal after important stop, similar what I had this year, and I started hard with the serve and I broke my abdominal, no?
So I prefer to don’t practice too much the serve during the week, because I feel this part of the body, the abdominals, a little bit more challenged than usual, and the most important thing is be healthy physically, no?
And I am perfect conditions physically, so the serve I gonna have now Monday and Tuesday to keep practicing hard with the serve and a little bit more with the backhand.
And the rest of the game I think is in the right way, is normal. I am a little bit more slow than usual, but I think is normal the first week after a stop, and I am a little bit more tighter than usual too when I play long points.
But I not worried about this, no? But about the serve, sure, I have to keep improving my serve, but that’s another thing at the same time. Right now I have to serve like I usually serve, no? Not like I did today.

Q. Some of the points were fantastic today, the standard of tennis, as usual between you and Andy, very, very high. Do you think that’s the best he’s played against you?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I don’t know. I don’t know. Every match is different, but ?? he always is ?? he’s great player. Always, between good players, always have good points, no?
Andy, is normal have great points against him because his movements are great from the baseline, is fantastic, his movements, and he has unbelievable hands to return the ball, no?
That’s one of the best things on his game. And his serve was very good today, no?
Andy, I think he played well, sure, but he can do it better, too. So I think he played at his good level but not perfect.

Q. Overall, how do you compare yourself to how you feel now versus a year ago? A year ago was very different from your point of view. How does it feel a year on after everything that’s happened?
RAFAEL NADAL: I never like the comparisons, even when I lose or even when I win. The feeling is different, but I can talk about my feeling right now, not one year ago.
Right now the feeling is good, because I won I think 34 of my 36 matches, so that’s a very good record for me. Very happy how I played all the year, and sure, this tournament wasn’t the bad start for the hardcourt season, no? I had the semifinals here, playing a few good matches and having chances to be in the final. I lost 6?3, 6?4, but I had 15?40 with 4?3 in the second and two second serves for Andy.
In the first, I told you before, I was a break for me. Finally wasn’t the break. So I was there. I wasn’t very far the right way to win, but remain a little bit more to really have to produce more chances to win, no?
I had, but I need a few more, because if you have ?? everything have to be perfect to win. If you produce more chances, you can lose chances but you still have, so that’s ?? to make these chances, I have to be playing a little bit better. My movements have to be a little bit better, and I have to be more solid with my serve, because if I am more solid with my serve, the other players can feel the pressure, too, when he’s serving, when they are serving, yeah.

Q. Let’s say everything is good, perfect. You go to the US Open and you win the US Open. What would that mean to you?
RAFAEL NADAL: Nothing, because remain a lot to ?? is not the case. Right now is the case I lose in semifinals of Toronto with good start of hardcourt season with a good game for moments, but remain a lot of work to have this chance that you are talking, no?
So right now, let’s have one day off tomorrow and keep practicing, Monday and Tuesday in Cincinnati, to keep improving and to adapt to the new conditions of Cincinnati. Because even if hardcourt, the feeling in every tournament is different, and try to keep playing good matches there and keep playing well.
So improve a little bit more the rhythm and the serve, and with this, I hope be ready to try to play with tournament in Cincinnati, and after that we gonna have one week more to talk about US Open. Right now these tournaments are too important to speak about US Open now.

Q. You said you needed to improve your serve and your backhand. Did I hear you right? What’s wrong with the backhand? You said you wanted to practice a bit more.
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, I didn’t play bad with the backhand today, no? But probably ?? I had to think too much in every shot when I was playing the backhand. So I need to practice a little bit more to play the shot without think nothing, no?

And the movements, just think about where the ball have to go, no?
So that’s ?? yeah. That’s what I think I have to improve a little bit for the next week. I repeat, wasn’t bad, my backhand today. Yesterday was terrible in the beginning, but today, I’m not ?? I happy how I touched the ball, no? That’s the true. Remain a few things.

Q. You said that you have a different feeling when you ?? like you’re going to go to Cincinnati and see what the feeling was there. What was the feeling you had here in Toronto?
RAFAEL NADAL: About what?

Q. I’m not sure, because you said there was a different feeling here, the feeling you were going to move on to Cincinnati.
RAFAEL NADAL: Always the court is different. Is not the same speed, the court.

Q. Oh, you were talking about the court surface?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah.

Q. I thought it was something emotional or the crowds or…
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no. The conditions, I said the conditions in every ?? even if it’s hardcourt, the condition change a lot between tournaments, no? Because the speed of the ball is not the same. Depends on the humidity, the weather, so change everything.

SOURCE

Nadal a encore du pain sur la planche

Mis en ligne le 16/08/2010

Le Top 4 s’était donné rendez-vous en demi. Federer-Murray en finale.

Rafael Nadal (ATP 1) a encore du pain sur la planche s’il désire remporter début septembre à l’US Open le seul tournoi du Grand Chelem qui manque encore à son palmarès. L’Espagnol, vainqueur à Roland Garros et Wimbledon, a ainsi souffert pour son tournoi de rentrée à Toronto, où il a fini par subir la loi d’Andy Murray (ATP 4) sur le score sans appel de 6-3 et 6-4 en demi-finale.

"Mon service était le point noir de mon jeu", confia le Majorquin, qui n’a également frappé que 11 coups gagnants sur l’ensemble de la partie, pour 23 fautes directes. "Et pour battre Andy, je me dois de bien mieux servir. Je dois aussi reconnaître qu’après les sept premiers jeux, il a mieux joué que moi. J’étais un petit peu plus lent que d’habitude, mais ce n’est pas anormal après un long break. Cela va revenir. Ce n’est pas une mauvaise entrée en matière sur dur."

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