Ferrer was having an inconsistent serving game and Nadal used that for his advantage.

The four-time defending French Open champion goes into the Rome Masters on a 25-match unbeaten run with only three defeats in his last 133 matches on clay.

Nadal and Ferrer traded breaks in the first two games before Ferrer’s service game became erratic—he hit four double faults—and Nadal broke him twice more to take a 5-1 lead.

Nadal rifled an ace down the middle to take the set. Ferrer managed only four winners alongside 16 of his 41 unforced errors.

I imagine Nadal has put some fear into the men of tennis. He seems unbeatable right now.

In other Rafael Nadal news, he has given the new roof at Wimbledon the thumbs-up. He had no problem with the club’s decision to introduce the covering for the event this year.

"I saw a picture and it looks good," said Nadal. "I think it’s a good option but I hope we don’t need to use it."

He went on to talk about his final in Barcelona and Wimbledon.

"I didn’t have any tough games except the final in Barcelona," said Nadal. "So I’m not tired. I hope I can continue to play well two weeks in a row.

"I love this tournament, I won it three times in the past and I would love to win it again.

"I’m going to try my best every day knowing that (Roger) Federer, (Andy) Murray and Novak Djokovic are also good on clay."

Source: Press Association

Image Credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Nadal Wins Fifth Straight Barcelona Title

On Thursday, Nadal’s quarter-final opponent David Nalbandian withdrew because of a right hip injury. This moves him one step closer to the victory. Nadal has some amazing numbers when it comes to his performance on clay. He’s only lost 2 of his last 128 matches on the clay surface. He is considered one of the best clay-court players of all time and has some staggering statistics.

“It’s not nice to reach the semifinals like this but I have to think positively, to know that I’m in the semifinals, which is good news, and I’ll be trying to give my all,” Nadal told news agency Europa Press.

Nadal will either face third-seeded Nikolay Davydenko or ninth-seeded Radek Stepanek in the semifinals.

Image Credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Nadal Looking to Win Fifth Straight Trophy in Barcelona

I wonder how it feels. That whole making history part. And winning a professional tennis tournament. And being a man.

Rafa owned Ferrer in the first and third sets; Ferrer just couldn’t carry his game plan from the second set to the third which is why Rafa is the one biting the trophy instead of his countryman. Is it a Spanish thing? A Rafa thing? Apparently that trophy literally tastes goooood.

(Image by Newscom)

Post from: EveryJoe

Barcelona: Surprise! (or not) Nadal Wins Title

At the Barcelona Open, Nadal moved into the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Feliciano Lopez. Whoop-dee-doo. That’s not the fun part. With the win, Nadal notched his 100th victory in 101 tries on clay. That’s dating back to 2005 and his only loss came last year to the King himself, Roger Federer (hey, he’s still number one folks! It counts for something).

Nadal’s take on the century milestone? “That’s not bad.”

Not bad? Not bad!?! Not bad, my foot, son. Getting to work 100 out of 101 times without any mishap is “not bad”. Successfully eating 100 out of 101 chips without dropping a crumb is “not bad”. Finding 100 out of 101 songs you like is “not bad.” Winning 100 out of 101 tennis matches on clay is freaking amazing!

Maybe it’s just me. Is it just me? Am I the only one who thinks this is just pretty neat-o? Okay…I’m taking off the short skirt and putting the pom-poms away. I was never a cheerleader; I don’t know why I’m starting now.

Probably because Nadal said it “wasn’t bad” and it gouged me out of my Sideline Sally mode enough to jump up and cheer with gusto.

Post from: EveryJoe

Mark the Century for Rafael Nadal