'Nadal took multiple injury timeouts for knee problems'

Ricky, you also used this phrase in the match report. Isn't this is a bit of an overstatement? He had treatment on his arm (during 2nd set I think) and then two MTO for his knee and thigh during the 4th if my memory serves me correct. Hardly multiple!!

I do not subscribe to the school of thought that believes these were tactical breaks. There were times when his movement was visibly hampered and he admitted to 'being scared' about the knees during the post match interview.

Matthieu in his present form will be another test for him and your prediction of 4 sets seems quite possible. For the sake of his knees I just hope it is not another fiver.

more than one is multiple

im not saying what the tactics were

"For the sake of his knees I just hope it is not another fiver"
Strange , Is their like a quota of sets which nadal can play before his knees wears out.I think you want to push him to do some kind of play hard but recuperate at night thing so that you can keep your fantasy alive. He is not a machine !
It is much more sensible to wish him to change his style for the sake of longevity.

I know that is the dictionary definition, but I venture to suggest you meant people to infer there had been many MTOs otherwise why not give the actual number. I only raised this, along with questioning the headline in your the report on the Haase match, because you are normally such a staunch admirer of Rafa but recently you seem very negative about him.

"even if he is close to 100% mathieu should atleast win a set"..hmm...its time to show what u are capable of rafa , go on and blow mathieu away in 3 sets !
if matheiu is unable to serve well its surely a 3 setter imo.

Rafa will get past Matthieu for sure BUT against Soderling it looks like it will be very difficult...even more difficult against Murray.

Rafa will possibly lose at the QF or the SF at best. he is definitely not winning Wimbledon 2010

Let us celebrate Rafa's tennis the way he talks of playing it - one match at a time.
Here is his post-3R interview, for those who are interested and who missed it.

http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2010-06-26/20100 6261277586139921.html

Do not right RAFA off!
That is all I am going to say!

NNY + RAFA FANS + RAFA HATERS-

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt - "Man in the Arena" Speech given April 23, 1910

Vamos Rafa!
What I know for certain is this, that Rafael Nadal will play through pain, until he can no more. He will fight like we have never seen before, to reclaim the precious title he could not defend. He will not throw in the towel, no way! He himself has said so.

He will throw everything at this Wimbledon campaign, knowing full well that he can rest and recover afterwards, already having scheduled Knee treatment.

Only fools would underestimate and doubt such a warrior!

isabeau,

I have already copied and pasted this on my computer, so that I will never lose it again. I posted it last year on a pro-Fed tennis forum after they said that Rafa withdrew from Wimbledon not because of any knee injury, but because of a fear of losing. Teddy Roosevelt said it better than I ever could.

You are wonderful for uplifting the spirit of beleaguered Rafa fans today! I am keeping the faith!

Nativenewyorker,
When I found the quote the first thing I did was post it on here, because it is beyond appropriate. I then pasted it on my Facebook page and had wrote it in my journal, so as to never ever forget it. It is my all time favourite quote!

As for Rafa, I will always have faith, but this time its a little different.
After his last match with Petz, every cell in my being knows that Rafa is more hungrier to win the whole dam thing, than he has ever been and he will play through pain to do it! Its the nature of the animal and when wounded Rafa is his most deadliest.

get your popcorn ready for the Soderling-Murray semifinal. Should be a cracker!

As Rafa used to say: we gonna see no?

Ricky: I shall be SO happy if Andy gets there and justifies his seeding! Unfortunately Kelli's prediction now has me sweating nervously....hiding bhind sofa etc...

Isabeau.. what a wonderful quote! Thank you!! I'm with you as well on the whole damn thing.. No one can fight like the RAFA!!
May my nerves find some calm today..

Soderling and Murray are being too overhyped for my liking.
Reminds me of how Federer was being hyped up at Roland Garros and people were prasing him on how well he is playing and how Rafa may be in trouble this year etc etc and look what happened, he lost to the first player that was good enough and had the weapons to hurt him.

I kept on saying like a broken record that a players form is not determined by how easy he wins against lesser opponents, but rather how he wins against difficult opponents!

I am sticking to this and this is why I am sticking to my belief that based on what I have seen, in all the matches, Rafa has faced the hardest opponents based on what they produced on the day and therefore, Rafa is the one to beat, even though the scorelines may say otherwise!

I look at the quality of the wins v's the quality produced by the opponent and I know that Rafa already has faced the hardest opponents on the day that he will face here onwards. There is no way anyone, including Federer, Murray or Soderling can produce the perforance of Petz. It is not going to happen. YOu will see.

The only person that can beat Rafa is Rafa, injuries aside!

mathiu is like 9-0 against rafa....i will be surprised if rafa loses a set in this match....

i'm curious to see how Ricky will manage to eat his popcorn with a foot in his mouth. :-)

Rafa over AndyM is my semis prediction, and no popcorn for me.

http://www.nadalnews.com/2010/06/27/wimbly-rafa-blog-day-7/

rafael' s blog!!

F F W _ W

2wins/4finals

ITA Isabeau77....IMO The power's that be have thrown a nasty gauntlet down at Rafa and he won't take it laying down...Watch in wonder as he rises + shines to every single challenge. Vamos! Rafa You can do this and you know you can! Go play your best and play with calm, confidence and total self-belief.

phoenix: loved that one! If Andy gets there will eschew popcorn and sup champagne!

IMO .. rafa will surely win his 4th round match may be in 3 sets or at most 4!!

But real test will be in QF/SF .... i think both match will be 5 setter if somehow he makes the way to SF.

A healthy rafa do have edge over both of them but i think instead of a lose in RG final soderling has overcome from the mental barrier against rafa. He will surely play his natural game in QF game and will try to expose the rafa health issues.

It will be very difficult for rafa to make it in finals but still possible as a player of his potential.

BTW if somehow rafa does not able to make it in finals ..THEN IMO the Roger will again have a very good chance to regain his year end#1

A lot of things regarding rankings depands on rafa next 2 matches!!

Ricky, if u are so conident put on golden racket on stake :P if rafa wins you lose it ! lol so what say? becoz i dnt think soderling is going to win.

Who will win ?
1/........Rafa
2/........Nole
3/........R andy
4/........Lleyton

I REST MY CASE!!!!

Below is part of an article able Rafa, to confirm what I said above was not a bunch of hog wash! I just found it.

Nadal - relying on fighting spirit.
RAFA CONFIDENT KNEE WILL HOLD UP

Rafael Nadal feels his fighting spirit can carry him through the second week of Wimbledon despite concerns over an ongoing knee problem.

The Spaniard received treatment on his right knee during his five-set victory over Germany's Philipp Petzschner in the third round yesterday.

The second seed also came from two sets to one down in the previous round and his knee problem has already forced him to withdraw from Spain's Davis Cup quarter-final against France as he plans a post-Wimbledon break.

Despite admitting he is a "little bit scared about the knee", the 2008 champion insists he will not drop out of Wimbledon as he prepares for his clash with Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu on Monday.

"Emotionally I'm perfect," the 24-year-old said. "I fought a lot in the last two matches. I think I played very good tennis.

"But I said before the tournament, the draw is going to be difficult.

"That's what happens when you play against players that have a very good serve.

"Physically, I have a little bit of a problem on the right knee. But I have a day and a half to recover."

Nadal, who missed last year's tournament with knee problems, revealed his right knee had been causing him problems for some time.

But he is confident the injury will clear up after Wimbledon.

He said: "I know what I have on the knee, it's not something new, it's something from the past. I know what I have to do to improve the knee.

"I didn't have time to do it before here. With the new treatment, the left knee works perfect. So when I do that to the right, hopefully that's going to be the same."

He added: "I am here to try my best and to try to keep in the tournament and playing well.

"I am not thinking about retiring or anything like that. That's not going to happen."

By Gavin McCafferty, Press Association Sport

Here is the link. The rest of the article is about the Fed, Djok, Hewiit, Mlezer etc

http://www.sportinglife.com/tennis/wimbledon2010/news/story_get .cgi?STORY_NAME=wimbledon/10/06/27/WIMBLEDON_Men_Nightlead.html

I read somewhere Rafa and Toni Nadal said that the right knee felt better at the Sunday's practice session. Hope it holds up for 3 more matches.

If rafa reaches the final, then his will power will carry him thru. BUT i am look far too ahead. however, hope it turns out that way.

atul1985,
Yes, what was said was that the knee is "Good, good, not bad" and Toni said that it was much better than yesterday and said that they are more worried about the opponent than Rafas knee.

So all is good...:)

oh oh, Nole-Lleyton match not shown on atdhe. :-(

Man.. The Nadal-PHM match may be called for darkness. The Hewitt-Djokovic match looks set to be a 5 setter.

Finally Hewitt-Djokovi match over. Come Nadal...come Rafaaaa

Phoenix,

you can try channelsurfing. They cover more than atdhe

Here we go. But Nadal chose to receive when he won the toss...is that wise or....?

Vamos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.............here we go Rafa!!!!!!!

nadal is such a clown.
even on grass he chooses to receive when he wins the toss.
on grass serving 1st is such a big advantage.

on clay the serve isnt that important.
but nadal clearly lacks belief in his own serve.
one of these days he is going to get slaughtered by a good player and expose him.

How is Rafa looking People?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tell me, tell me, tell me!!!!!!!!!!!

haha, too early to get into firing mood ATR.

Vamos Rafa.

nadal on break points convered must be one of the tours worst.

ATR, that is so NOT true!!......................well at least he can get break point chances!!!

but he rarely converts.
he sucks against good players, lopez in queens for example

What say you now ATR....................happy?!!!

I understand...................you just love Rafa soooooooooooooo much!!!...........lol!!

I hope this Sod/Ferrer 5th does not end up like Mahut/Isner!!!!!!................lol!!!

Monalysa,


are we the only Rafans in action here...!!

Vamos Rafa!!!

Seems so, but im off to lunch now...........i will watch on TV at restaurant!!!

Rafa's looking good..................hope it continues!

lolz, we are tuned in at court 2, the graveyard court and AndyR is trouble looks like they are heading to third tiebreaker at the 4th set.

No coverage here for Rafa's match.

as I type this, they are 6-6 and tie break.

Rafa is receiving for the first set

Rafa wins first set 6-4

Sod through..

wooohoooo glad to know Rafa won the first set.

Vamos Rafa !!!

how is rafa playing today?

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Rafa opens with a break on the second! Vamos!

no idea atul, they are showing here lu/roddick match.

Vamos Rafa !!!

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

attackingtennisrulez , 6/28/10 8:09 PM

?????????

RAFA is on fire today
playingg veryy wellll!!!
VAMOSSSS!!! 2-0 2nd set nadal...
break point for rafa to take a lead 3-0!!
VAMOSSSS!!!

lolz atul, ATR soiled his pants when Rafa breaks at the first frame of the 2nd set.

''Si'' means ''yes'' in spanish.
nadal says that all the time along with his vamos.

Just be healthly Rafa, the results will take care of themselves

Vamos!!

I can breathe again.. Vamos Rafa!!

64, 6-2. To the final set now . Mathieu is treated.

si=yes in spanish and ATR is right nadal uses itso often , even more then vamos...takeee tahttt 6-2 !! OUTSTANDIGN SET ! mathew was so close ot being bagelled as rafa had 2 brk pts on the 1st service game too.

wonderful performance ! this performance and ferrer's efforts must serve as an eye-opener for so many ppl here, even SOME EXPERTS !

2 sets up for Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......................VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!

Hope Roddick wins this........................looking forward to Rafa/Roddick final!!

Is it a medical time out?

vamosrafa..........no, let me correct you....................'so-called' expertts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sod came so close to loosing he must have soiled his pants!!!!!!!!!!!

The way things are going, I think that NO ONE is sure to make it to the finals!! Although I am soooooooooooo hoping for a Rafa/Roddick final!!!!

VAMOS!!!!!

Roddick lost, LU the chinese through to QF.

ohhh raindrops did u see that?? :O :O at 5-2 down mathieu took a medical time out ! how tactical it was didnt u notice?? he didnt wait for rafa to serve out the set and took the TO to disrupt nadal's rhythm ...ok did that sound crap to u guys?? if it did then why were u haters qstioning rafa's TO so much ? just becoz he is RAFA?

btw ANDY RODDICK IS OUT 9-7 5th set ! biggest shock so far !!

Oh my Gosh........my predition just went out the window..........Roddick is out!!!!..............Damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rafa you better hang tight!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well too bad for Matheui.............i think NOW he really needs to take a medical time out!..................he is two sets and a break down!!!!

VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think a Rafa/Fed final for old times sake??

Nice one Rafa!!

Roddick out..

ok now noone is stopping Fed from reaching the 8th consequetive final here

no i respect all the experts here and they have always come up with great predictions and previews but really amazed why ricky has written off rafa so quikly from wimbledon from day 1 till today !

I think Ricky's prediction will hold.

Nadal is having no problem with the soft hitter, he can return well the serve. So the match with Soderling at the Quarterfinals is exciting.

Of course Vamos Rafa!!!!

Rafa is serving for the match!!!!!!!!!!

I would laugh if Rafa and Lu reach the finals!...........................hehehe!!!!!!!lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet match from Nadal.

* is gonna be exciting.

SWEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!

Loving it!!!!!!!!

whether it will hold or not but he has been picking so confidently , i wonder what generated that confidence. i pick rafa ! surely, without doubt.

Went according to plan. Now on to the quarters!

Now if there is fairness in this world, cheryl should write a blog regarding mathieu's MTO. :-)

ATTENTION: Fleur, rfzr, tennislover and the rest of Nadal Haters.

I hope you've seen that MTO took by Paul during the second set. You owe an explanation why Paul still lost the second set even if he took the MTO. According to your fair analysis, MTO is a tactic to disrupt one's oppenent rhythm so if you really that of impartials come out and speak.

yup ! why did matheiu take ir before letting rafa serve out the set? NOTHING diff was seen in his game before nd after the MTO !! this is even worse because rafa had ALL the momentum and rhythm CLEARLY , petz didnt have that much rhythm or momentum SURELY ...the thing is that these things happen so often and we ignore it, now when some one like nadal or federer do it ,its a chance for the haters to show their bitterness! pathetic behaviour.

Not only speak, but pour all their hatred to Paul, in the same measure and intensity that they gave Rafa. :-)

I agree with the comments about Mathieu taking that MTO. One could easily argue that he was trying to disrupt Rafa's rhythm and game, since he was being completely outplayed. However, I don't expect to hear any outrage or read a blog about his "gamesmanship"! I also don't expect the Rafa haters to even speak one word about it. This only confirms my suspicion that Rafa is held to a different standard of conduct by those who dislike him.

One could also argue that Haase taking the MTO for his ankle in the third set of his match with Rafa, was gamesmanship. Shall we say that this is why he won that third set?

This whole issue should have never been blown out of proportion in the first place.

I think Paul did it to Rafa on purpose!!!................i can imagine what was discussed in the locker room after Rafa's match with Petz!

I really dont see why it is Rafa's fault that since his short time on the circuit he has amassed 7 GS while those who have been there so many years beofre him still have Zero!!!!

I smell A LOT of jealousy amongst the players where Rafa is concerned esp. after he won Wimby!! They NEVER thought he would do it!!

I think from now on everytime someone plays Rafa they will try to take a MTO!!!! Ypu watch..........Its all just laughable!!!!

VAMOS!!!!!!!

methieu was not hurting AT ALL so that MTO must have been tactical isnt it??

totally agree with NNY, haase's timout was tactical in that it allowed him to win the 3rd set ! the pnt is that such things hapeen VERY REGULARLY and it was rafa taking it so haters made an issue out of it...i already said it and saying it again.. it was CRAP !

Don't bother with those Rafa haters. No matter what happens, they are always bias against Rafa. You can't change the way they think, just ignore them and don't get irritated by them as this is precisely what they want to do. Don't fall into their trap!

Rafa just plays well enough to win today. I think he'll have a chance of winning against Sod in the QF, judging from how Sod played and served today. Sod made 11 double faults, never heard of from him during this Wimbledon. Ferrer exposed the weaknesses in Sod's game. He was able to return Sod's serves and broke Sod's serves (helped partly by Sod's double faults of course) and Ferrer did serve well today. I'm really impressed by how Ferrer played today. The match could have been won by Ferrer as well, if he didn't make the errors in his last service game and hung in with Sod. So, Rafa would have to serve well and return well like what Ferrer did. I think it is doable.

We are heading for some interesting QF matches - Fed/Berdych; Rafa/Sod and Murray/Tsonga. The only one that is unexpected(at least by me) is the Nole/Lu QF, I thought it would be Hewitt/Roddick. Unless Berdych can do something to stop Fed at the QF, I think Fed can get past Nole/Lu and reach the final.

On the other side of the draw, I think Tsonga/Murray will be 50-50. I think so far Murray is not really being tested or pushed yet. His opponents so far ain't those that can trouble him, ie those big hitters. Querry looks flat today, even having difficulty holding his own serves, so Murray ends up being the only one remaining that has not dropped a set up to this stage. Even the big serving Sod has been forced to go to five sets to squeeze out a win!

Wow, come to think of it, Rafa may have to beat all big hitters to win Wimbledon this year, just imagine beating Sod in the QF, Tsonga in the SF and then Berdych in the Final, though I think it is more likely a Fed/Rafa final. I hope Rafa can reach the final and win the whole thing.

Rafa did good today. Looked very solid and was moving well, just generally a good performance. He didn't overdo it, but he didn't really need to against Mathieu. A nice relief after the worries of the last match. Not the least worried about the match against Soderling, who looked more than a little vulnerable today. It'll be a tough one but I think Rafa's got this one. Fingers crossed.

Anyone else see Shakira in the stands cheering Rafa on? She should stick around, maybe she's a goodluck talisman or something. :)

vamosrafa, as expected, all them haters are dumb now.
how did cheryl get herself into this shit. imagine saying that MTO is a bend of rules because rafa took it. i think she should be stopped from writting blogs. TT shldnt be seen as a bias site. please dont spoil this game, we love it!!

damianthorn: Cheryl is a staunch Rafa fan but likes to have a bit of a stir from time to time and watch all the fans going for each other hammer and tongs.

NNY: It did seem like Mathieu was just trying to make a point. If so it was rather unsubtle. Or maybe he just fancied a lie-down at that moment.

Or maybe he just fancied a lie-down at that moment.
ed251137, 6/29/10 2:02 AM
Probably happens a lot ed ... when Rafa's on the other side of the net.

smr: ROFL

Monalysa , 6/28/10 9:57 PM Do you think Soderling will have the nerve try it on too? After all, he took the mickey out of Rafa at Wimby once before..............

As far as I am concerned, Soderling or whomever can take as many MTO as they like, fake or not, because the only rhythm they will be breaking is there's, as Rafa is the fittest player on tour with concentration that is second to none.
If anything it will benefit Rafa. The last thing you want is to rest Rafa and give him more time to think about how he can demolish you the fastest way possible.

ed251137 , 6/29/10 2:02 AM,

Yes, maybe the poor guy needed a rest from Rafa's relentless pounding! Regarding your comment to Monalysa, I say let Sod go for it! That will only fuel Rafa's fire!

isabeau,

Are you getting any feelings now? Didn't Rafa look like he was feeling a lot better today? When I looked at his face, I could see the difference. I said to myself - now, that's more like my Rafa! He was focused, had his game face on, seemed so calm and collected. So much different from yesterday!

I was thrilled to see Ferrer give Sod a run for his money today! I only wish he could have managed to get the win. He is such a fighter! At least we all know that Sod does NOT walk on water when it comes to grass. The man is human after all. I heard he was feeling unwell in the match. It was hot out there today.

It's going to get a lot hotter on Wednesday! Bring it on!

Hang in there, Rafa! Take care of that knee! Let Maymo and Dr. Cotorro work their magic on you, so that you will be ready to take it to Sod.

I want updates as to any psychic vibes, feelings or anything that may indicate a win for our guy!

NNY-
Rafa is ready to rumble anyone in his path, this I am certain of.

As for Soderling, he doesnt walk on water period!


ANd it is so funny you mentioned the heat as I didnt even know he was affected by it against Ferrer and I didnt realize how hot it was, as in Australia it is cold, yet when I saw the final score, I remember saying this in my head,

"bwahahahahaha poor Sod, pity the heat is going to kill him against Rafa, and if he thought Rafa was a pain in his ass at Roland Garros, he wont know what hit him Wednesday".

Seriously we saw how he struggled in the humid wet conditions against Berdych at RG, he lost all his power in his server and forehand as well as accuracy and the only reason he won that match was because Berdych played a little bit worse.

Rafa will not be affected by the heat, as he plays his best in it, while Soderling requires colder conditions to fire, because heat drains you and like Djokovic his body doesnt deal well when it overheats.

Wednesdays predicted weather couldnt be more perfect for Rafa
26 degrees Celsius and 50% humidity.

Ferrer did an amazing job, its just unfortunate he made some silly errors in the end, but he proved one thing that I have been screaming on this forum, that a players form is not determine by the ease in which they beat lesser opponents, rather by the manner in which they defeat tough challengers, irrespective of their rank on the day.

In Rafas last 5 setter against Petzschner, Nadal had 64 winners to 18 unforced errors and 1 double fault
(I8 in the entire 5 set match! Ridiculously good!)

Soderling against Ferrer in his 5 setter had 63 winner to 43 unforced errors and 11 double faults

That is close to double the unforced errors Rafa made

isabeau,

I know that you have been one of the lone voices here telling all of us that Sod is not to be feared. It should certainly give those who picked him to beat Rafa, some things to ponder. Ferrer is not the player that Rafa is, yet he gave Sod all sorts of grief. I also read that Sod smashed his racket when he lost a point. I am hoping it just wasn't a bad day.

By the way, I have no idea what 26 degress celsius is to me as an American. We use degrees. How hot is that in degrees? I want it to be hot as hell, I want the grass to be playing slower than slow and I want Rafa to play like a beast!

Ready to rumble! Like a prizefighter! I love it so!

Still no predictions yet? :)

NNY: Close on 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Just enough to make Roger sweat.

It will be 78.8 degree Fahrenheit. Which is hot for the UK.
In Australia that temperature is considered perfect.

The Australian Open in comparison delivers temperature which range between
86-107.6 degree Fahrenheit.
In 2009 When Rafa won the Australian Open they were playing in +107.6 degree Fahrenheit temperatures.

I'm almost scared to give a prediction in fear of jinxing Rafa!
But I will do it one match at a time. Rafa will win against Soderling.

In order for Rafa to win this whole thing he will have to beat, Soderling, Murray(assuming) and then Fed (assuming) and for me based on his horrid draw, the worst one i have seen, if he is to win it, it will be one of his best wins ever!

Isa and NNY: Cold Northern fishes dont like warm water.

ed,

That's not hot out here in L.A., but I assume that the humidity is somewhat higher. I guess for England being much further north than I am, that is hot.

isabeau,

I shouldn't pressure you to give a prediction! I know it's hard. I guess you don't feel that the knee will be a factor here. Hopefully, Rafa, his team and doctor will deal with it. This easy match was just what the doctor ordered. You have been unrelentingly optimistic about Rafa's chances against Sod.

I was thinking about the day before the RG final. I was a complete nervous wreck throughout the day. Then the strangest thing happened at night. As I was getting ready for bed, I got this total sense of calm and peace. All the nervousness went away. I was so calm that it was scary. I didn't even want to think about what that meant for the final the next day. I don't recall ever having that kind of overwhelming serenity. I wasn't worried at all. I slept like a baby. Then I woke up and checked out the score. Of course, the match had started a while ago. I tried to wipe the sleep out of my eyes and when I saw that Rafa was up two sets and a break in the third set, I remember rubbing my eyes and looking again. Then when I realized that it was for real, I started sobbing uncontrollably. I cried right through until the end of the match and all through the awards ceremony.

I don't always trust or understand these feelings. Now I do. Somewhere deep inside me, I knew as sure as I know my own name, that Rafa was going to beat Sod.

I wish I had these feelings all the time. The flip side is when I got a bad case of the jitters the night before Rafa's match with Petz. I simply could not sleep. I had the strongest premonition that something would go wrong. Now I know. Not only was it a nightmare of a match, but the problem with Rafa's knee. Maybe we don't trust these intuitions. Now I know better.

I can only hope that I don't get any kind of bad feeling tomorrow night. I would rather just feel nothing special.

I hope the cold Northern fish gets cooked out on court Wednesday! :)

NNY-
Northern Europe consider 86F a heat wave, we call it a nice average summer day...:)

You will be pleased to know that in regards to Rafas knees I am not concerned at all, this will not be the problem.

The only way Rafa is losing against SOderling is if he has a shocker of a day, where his forehand, backhand, serve everything if off and SOderling has a blinder (ie. cant miss if he tried)!
Not going to happen as Rafa will further lift his game, but if it were to happen these will be the conditions.

Rafas Knees will not be a factor, even if he gets a MTO, to aid him, as he will play through it all!
Retiring is not in Rafas Vocab this tournament!

NNY-
Also please keep my posted on how you feel tomorrow night, I am hoping calm is what you will be feeling...:)

I too was strangely calm against his match against Mathieu

hey Isabeau, i hope your feeling is correct this time too :) we rafans need this victory over soderling badly. i really hope its super hot and they play at the afternoon with a scorching sun :) vamos !