Thursday 31 May 2012
RG12 - Rafael Nadal hopping to Celebrate his birthday holding the French Open Title when blowing up the candles!!!
Not only is Rafael Nadal playing like a dream, his self-confidence is also at a high and that makes him even more awe-inspiring at the French Open.
The second-seeded Spaniard, gunning for a record-breaking seventh title on the Paris clay, destroyed Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin 6-2 6-2 6-0 to reach the second round on Thursday. Although he reckoned his first serve still needs some adjustments, Nadal, who has lost only once at Roland Garros since his debut in 2005, was happy on all accounts. "I have improved during the third set. This is when I had the upper hand. I played my best tennis. I made almost no mistakes,"
Nadal said: "During practice and during the tournament my attitude is slightly more positive, and it's less difficult.
"Whereas last year, due to my attitude, which was less positive, it was more difficult for me.
"I have improved during the third set. This is when I had the upper hand. I played my best tennis. I made almost no mistakes."
Nadal, however, hopes he will celebrate his 26th birthday in Paris for the seventh time in eight years, having always won the title after blowing out his candles at Roland Garros.
"It is difficult to celebrate a good birthday when you are in the middle of the tournament, but sure, I'm gonna go for dinner with the team," said Nadal, who will take on Argentine Eduardo Schwank for a place in the last 16. "I don't know if some of my family are gonna come. I don't know yet. The important thing is I am in the third round and hopefully I can celebrate the birthday in Paris and not in Mallorca."
Source | Source
*Photos* RG12 - Rafael Nadal vs Denis Istomin Roland 6-2 6-2 6-0
Rafael Nadal continued his steady progress at the French Open by reaching the third round with a straight-sets win over Denis Istomin.
Defending champion Nadal, a six-time winner at Roland Garros, clinched a 6-2 6-2 6-0 win over the Uzbekistan player.
*click on image for full size view*
Wozniacki back in the groove
Former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki feels healthy again and after her 6-1 6-4 victory over Aussie Jarmila Gajdosova looks like she might be ready to put herself back into contention.
After finishing at the top of the WTA rankings for the second year in a row in 2011, the Dane has sputtered and has not won a title since August. However, she recently hired a new coach, former Australian Open Champion Thomas Johansson of Sweden and seems to be regaining confidence.
After experiencing an ankle injury at the tournament in Madrid and then an allergenic reaction in Rome, Wozniacki went home to her base in Monaco and began to work with Johansson, who also lives there. It seems that he's a good fit for she and her primary coach, her father, Piotr. She tried out another coach, Ricardo Sanchez in December and January but that didn't work out.
"It's definitely different, because during the whole of my career I've always had someone there as well who just comes with some inputs or a second voice that's helped my dad," the ninth seed said. "My dad has been my main coach since I grew up. With Sanchez I wanted to do something that was a bit different and maybe try to give him more initiative. But Thomas, it's been working well, because , he tells me what he thinks and he's not soft, which I don't like. I don't like when someone tells me, 'Oh, it's great, it's great' when it's actually terrible. It's not terrible. It can't be terrible. But it's not good or I don't feel it's good. I want someone who is strict and tells me things how they are. He's like that. Also if something is good he tells you it's good. "
Wozniacki wasn’t the only seed to have success. No. 4 Petra Kvitova was the first player to get off court when she tore apart Urszula Radwanska 6-1 6-3. "I think that she played very well. She has good hands so she has a good touch," Kvtiova said. "She's not playing very aggressive, so I could play my game again. I played very well. I'm feeling very good."
Francesca Schiavone, who won the title two years, overcame a slow start and took a 2-6 6-3 6-1 win over of Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova. Tenth seed Angelique Kerber continued her fine play this season by racing past Olga Govortsova 6-3, 6-2, while 22nd seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who has been in a slump this year, beat Melinda Czink 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. There was one upset when Czech Klara Zakopalova took down No. 16 Maria Kirilenko 6-4 3-6 6-3.
*Add More HQ Pics* RG12- Men's Singles - 2nd Round Action
Milos Raonic came out strong in the first round to take Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo in three sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. © FFT
Nicolas Almagro puts the pressure on Marcos Baghdatis. © FFT
Marcos Baghdatis' two-handed backhand against Nicolas Almagro. © FFT
After their match was interrupted by rain, Arnaud Clément and David Goffin resume play. © FFT
David Ferrer attacks Benoit Paire. © FFT
Unseeded Jesse Levine is unable to get past no.19 Milos Raonic. © FFT
Benoit Paire's serve did not serve him well up against David Ferrer. © FFT
Canadian player defeats American Jesse Levine in three sets (6-4 7-5 6-2) to move on to the third round. © FFT
Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand during his men's singles second round match against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2012 in Paris, France.
Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts during his men's singles second round match against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2012 in Paris, France.
Andy Murray of Great Britain receives assitance for a back problem during a break in his men's singles second round match against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2012 in Paris, France.
Andy Murray of Great Britain looks to the ground before receiving assistance for a back problem during a break in his men's singles second round match against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2012 in Paris, France.
Bernard Tomic of Australia shows his dejection during his men's singles second round match against Santiago Giraldo of Columbia during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2012 in Paris, France.
Jarkko Nieminen of Finland plays a backhand during his men's singles second round match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2012 in Paris, France.
Kim Sears (C) watches the action during the men's singles second round match between Jarkko Nieminen of Finland and Andy Murray of Great Britain during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2012 in Paris, France.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France celebrates victory after his men's singles second round match against Cedrik- Marcel Stebe of Germany during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2012 in Paris, France.
Bernard Tomic of Australia plays a backhand during his men's singles second round match against Santiago Giraldo of Columbia during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2012 in Paris, France.
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