Photo by Niels Schipper
Auckland, NZ |
News/Results 2004
02/02/04 (Brno): The Davis Cup team consisting of Rafael, Tommy Robredo, Feliciano Lopez and Alberto Martin has headed to Brno to train for the Davis Cup tie against the Czech Republic. Carlos Moya and Juan Carlos Ferrero are injured, and Lopez and Martin have taken their places. The original plan was for Rafa and Tommy to play doubles, but the G-3 may call upon Tommy, Rafa or others to play singles given current circumstances. Rafael's ATP Entry System ranking is 40 for this week -- a career high! Vamos, Espa�a!
01/25/04 (Melbourne): On Sunday, Rafael and Tommy Robredo lost their third round Australian Open match to the No. 8 seeded team, Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett, 6-3, 6-2, but on the positive side, they have made the Davis Cup team. Spain will face the Czech Republic in the first-round tie in Brno on February 6-8, 2004. They deserve that honor. We have heard that Rafa has tendonitis in his knee, but hopefully he will be fine for Davis Cup. Bien hecho, Rafael y Tommy; Vamos, Espa�a!
01/24/04 (Melbourne): On Saturday, Lleyton Hewitt defeated Rafael 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-2, in third round in singles. Rafael played well, especially in the first two sets; in fact, he had fewer unforced errors and more winners overall -- which shows the difference experience can make on those few, crucial points. Check out his Post-Match Interview.
01/23/04 (Melbourne): On Friday, Rafael and Tommy Robredo won their second-round match against Jeff Coetzee and Chris Haggard, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Next they will play the number 8 seeded team, Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett. The Davis Cup captains have selected Rafa and Tommy for the Spanish Davis Cup team. Rafael is scheduled to play Australian and former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt on Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. local time on Rod Laver Arena. They have never played before, and it likely will be a tough match. Vamos, Rafael!
01/22/04 (Melbourne): On Wednesday, Rafa and Tommy won their first-round doubles match against the No. 11 seeds, Argentines Lucas Arnold and Mariano Hood, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. They followed their recent tradition of losing the second set. On Thursday, Rafael beat Frenchman Thierry Ascione in the second round of the Australian Open, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. Rafael saved a set point in the third set, and then took control of the match. He and Tommy will play the South African team of Jeff Coetzee and Chris Haggard on Thursday; they are scheduled fourth on Vodafone Arena. Vamos, Rafa y Tommy!
01/20/04 (Melbourne): Rafael easily won his first-round match against Czech qualifier Michael Tabara in the Australian Open, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Rafael's next singles opponent is Frenchman Thierry Ascione, who beat him in Chennai, 6-7, 4-6. It was a close match, and then Rafa and Tommy Robredo went on to beat Ascione and his partner in doubles. Rafa and Tommy are in the doubles draw. They will play the No. 11 seeds, Argentines Lucas Arnold and Mariano Hood. Vamos, Rafa y Tommy!
01/18/04 (Auckland): Rafael lost his first ATP singles final to Dominik Hrbaty, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. Rafa had his chances, but experience prevailed. Still, Hrbaty praised Rafa, saying "Nadal, it seems is going to be a great player. He could win at Roland Garros. He could be good." As a result of this final, Rafa has reached a career high ATP Entry System ranking of 41, and Champions' Race ranking of 8. He is now in Melbourne, preparing for the Aus Open, where he will play Czech Michael Tabara in the first round. They have never played before. Tabara, a qualifier, is ranked No. 213 in singles. Vamos, Rafael!
01/16/04 (Auckland): Rafael advanced to his first ATP singles final, after beating the No. 2 seed, Jiri Novak, 6-1, 6-3. He will play unseeded Dominik Hrbaty in the final on Saturday. They have played once before. Hrbaty won in two sets in Lyon last fall. Vamos, Rafael!
01/15/04 (Auckland): Rafael advanced to the semifinals when Frenchman Gregory Carraz retired with a right thigh/groin injury. Rafa was leading 2-1 at the time. He will play the No. 2 seed, Jiri Novak in the semis. They have never played before. This is Rafael's second ATP singles semifinal; he also reached the semis in Umag last summer.
01/14/04 (Auckland): Rafael advanced to the quarterfinals in Auckland by defeating Mario Ancic in two sets, 7-6(0), 7-6(6). According to reports, Ancic led in the second set tiebreak 5-1, but Nadal came back to take the tiebreak at 8-6. He now is 2-1 against the Croatian. Rafael will play Frenchman Gregory Carraz in the quarters on Thursday, at 12:30 p.m. on Stadium Court. They have never played an ATP match, but Rafael did beat Carraz in a qualifying match in Hamburg last year. Vamos, Rafael!
01/12/04 (Auckland): Rafael defeated the fourth seed, Sjeng Schalken, in the first round of the Heineken Open in Auckland, on Tuesday. He will play Mario Ancic,in the second round on Wednesday. The match is at 7 p.m. on center court. Rafael and Mario are 1-1; Rafael won their last encounter at Wimbledon in four sets, and Mario won their first encounter a year ago in Hamburg in two sets. Vamos, Rafael!
01/11/04 (Chennai): Rafael and his partner, Tommy Robredo, improved their chances of making the Spanish Davis Cup team by defeating the No. 1 seeded team of Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3, to win their first doubles title of the year and their first one as partners! They won their semifinal against the Polish team of Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3. Enhorabuena, congrats, Rafael y Tommy!
01/09/04 (Chennai): On Saturday, Rafael and Tommy will play their semifinal match against the Polish team of Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski. The match is third on center court, with a 5 p.m. start. Vamos, Rafael y Tommy! On Thursday, Rafa and Tommy defeated Thierry Ascione and Jean-Rene Lisnard, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.
01/06/04 (Chennai): Rafael is playing the Tata Open in Chennai, India. He lost his first-round match match to Thierry Ascione, 7-6(5), 6-4. Rafa is still in doubles. He and his partner, Tommy Robredo, who are vying for a spot in the Spanish Davis Cup team, won their first-round doubles match against the third seeds, Jordan Kerry and Jim Thomas, 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-3.
01/01/04 (Happy New Year!): Rafael has finished 2003 at No. 49 in the ATP Entry System, and No. 67 in the Champion's Race. What a great achievement! The Spanish Association of Tennis Journalists has named Rafa the "Most Improved Player of 2003," based on his move into the Top 50 during his debut year. Full Article. He also has been recognized by the ATP and others as 2003's male "newcomer of the year" and "one to watch" in 2004. Check out "Newcomer of the Year," "Five Hot Players in 2004," "New Balls Dominated 2003," and "Rivalries to Watch in 2004!" (about Rafa and Richard Gasquet).
And, as reported by Debbie, the January/February 2004 issue of German Tennis Magazin has named VamosRafael.com as Player Site of the Month. Click here for the article, as translated by Debbie.
For News/Results from January through December 2003, go to:
News/Results 2003
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