NADAL VS. SIMON AND THE POOR ESPN2 COVERAGE OF AUSTRALIAN OPEN

ESPN2's coverage of the Australian Open tennis tournament going on now is pathetic. An admitted enthusiast of the number two tennis player in the world ~ Rafael Nadal ~ I was disappointed to stick around through the other matches waiting for Rafa's third round match versus Gilles Simon of France. But instead of seeing tennis, we got to see an interview and a Serbian documentary during the Nadal v. Simon match. I like documentaries. But I am on a sport channel thinking they will show the number 2's TENNIS match. But no, ESPN2 would rather show me a relatively unimportant interview in the booth with the commentator and other matches than the match with Spanish champion Rafael Nadal. What are they thinking?!

Here is a part of the match:
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Rafa with Simon in Round 3 at AO
With Rafa's interview

From: videosdetennis

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Rafa pictures of the match with Simon.

The following is from the English translation of Rafa writing from Melbourne. You can see all of Rafa's daily blog entries and Rafa's answers to fans's questions, as well as a fan's blog from the Australian Open at his Fan Page on his website.

Aplatanado. What is this you will say "aplatanado". I came out totally sluggish to the match. I said that to the journalists in the press conference after the match when they asked me about the first set. Yesterday I said that I would possibly go to the aquarium and in the end, like I told you, I didn't go. Instead I took a 2 hour siesta. I normally don't have a siesta. In Mallorca I never have a siesta, but I don't know what is the matter with me here that I slept two hours. How awful! I don't know, perhaps this made me come out more, well, just that, like jelly! Simon also deserves credit, he played pretty well and courageously in the first set.

Anyway, it is not my Uncle Toni's fault, with whom I warmed up this morning. Because the other day, the day of my match with Serra, I also warmed up with Toni. I am not going to blame him hahaha.

I am defintely going to the Aquarium tomorrow. I think I will go to train and afterwards will go to the Aquarium. I feel like getting out and walking. I feel like I am a recluse in a golden prison... that is what Lobita, Moya's trainer calls the hotel where we are staying. They have everything here: restaurants of every type, cinemas, casino, all types of bars and that means that we don't go out much. But it is true, one should go out.

The "stretcher". I've already told you that the massage and treatment stretcher broke. Fundamental. Well, today when I arrived back at the hotel, at last a very pleasant man came and fixed the stretcher in 10 minutes.

And here is an interesting place where fans give you their impressions of this particular match.

And is it just me or does the commentator Cliff Drysdale get on your nerves?

Rafa rolls into round four

Friday, 18 January, 2008
By Adam Lucius

Spaniard Rafael Nadal has fought back from the brink of first-set oblivion to carve out a 7-5 6-2 6-3 win over Gilles Simon.

Nadal was 2-5 down in the opening set and looking lost before muscling his way back to steal it from under the Frenchman's nose.

The scare seemed to motivate the No.2 seed, who went on to win the match in straight sets.

The much-improved Simon staved off five match points before succumbing after a determined fight.

It books Nadal a fourth-round date with Stefan Koubek or Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Current Match on Rod Laver Arena Rod Laver Arena - Men's Singles - 3rd Round Gilles Simon FRA (28) 5 2 3 Rafael Nadal ESP (2) 7 6 6 Match Statistics Serve Statistics

Match Facts - Nadal nailed 27 winners to Simon's 38 - The Spaniard made 22 unforced errors to his opponent's 48 - Nadal top serve speed was 203km/h - He converted six of his 13 break point opportunities - The match featured just one double fault - The encounter lasted 146 minutes From Australian Open