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Monday, June 25, 2012

WIMBLEDON 2012 - RAFA NADAL

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WIMBLEDON 2012
June 25, - July 8, 2012
Wimbledon, England is 5 hours ahead of USA/EST
NOTE: Updated, Thursday, June 28, 2012, 11:20 p.m. USA/EST


Round 2 - Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Gentlemen's Singles second round match against Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic on day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2012 in London, England. Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe. Click on image to enlarge.  Unfortunately Rafa lost: 7-6(9), 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6.

Round 1
Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2] defeated  Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) 
7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3
Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Round 2
Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2] lost to Lukas Rosol
7-6(9), 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6
Thursday, June 28, 2012 
Centre Court

TV - USA
ESPN2, ESPN

ABC will air some replay matches

The Tennis Channel 
at night and all through the night - match replays

Replay streaming is available approximately one hour following completion of the match.
 


NOTE: Thankfully for those of us, who love tennis or one special player, and have more than access to USA TV network stations, the coverage this year is exclusively live with ESPN2, and not with NBC Sports.
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Pictures of Rafa - Wimbledon 2012

Before Round 1



Spain's Rafael Nadal sits at the side of the court after a practice session on the eve of the start of the Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 24, 2012. Photo credit: Getty photographer. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.


 Training Before Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on in a practice session during previews for the Wimbledon Championships 2012 at Wimbledon on June 24, 2012 in London, England. Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe.  Click on pictures to enlarge the size.

Training Before Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain participates in a practice session on the outside courts during previews to The Championships at Wimbledon on June 23, 2012 in London, England. Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe.  Click on pictures to enlarge the size.

Training Before Round 1 - Rafa Nadal of Spain participates in a practice session during previews to The Championships at Wimbledon on June 23, 2012 in London, England. Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.

 Round 1 



Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain (shoe detail) in action during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England. Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.


Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to a play during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England. Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.


Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to a play during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England.  Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.


Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to a play during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England. Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.


Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to a play during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England. Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe. Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.


Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England. Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe. Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size. More pictures of Round 1 below.

Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England.  Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.


Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain during a break during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England.  Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.



Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain during a break during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England.  Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.


Round 1 -Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England.  Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.



Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain lines up a shot during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England.  Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.


Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England.  Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.


Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a backhand return during his his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England.  Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.


Round 1 -Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England.  Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.



Round 1 - Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the crowd after winning his Gentlemen's Singles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil on day two of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 26, 2012 in London, England. Score: 7-6(7-0), 6-2, 6-3. Click on pictures to enlarge the size.

Rafa practicing Wednesday, June 27, 2012

UK Eurosport

Round 2

Zimbio - Round 2




Round 2 - Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Gentlemen's Singles second round match against Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic on day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2012 in London, England. Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe. Click on image to enlarge.

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Fan Support Sites ~ Great sources of information


Vamos Brigade


Rafa's Babolat-sponsored Forum

Join me at ~

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Tuesday, June 7, 2011

RAFA NADAL ~ AEGON CHAMPIONSHIPS ~ QUEENS 2011

Click on image to enlarge it

UPDATE: June 22, Wednesday, 2011, 12:18 a.m. USA EST

Aegon Championships ~ Queens Tournament
June 4 - 12, 2011
AEGON-Championships
or for more
Queens Club Website

TV
The tennis Channel
Starts Friday, June 10, 2011

LIVE Streaming
www.fromsportcom

Live Score Window

Tournament Draw

Order Of Play


Singles
Round 1
Rafa Nadal had a bye

Round 2

Rafa Nadal defeated Matthew Ebden
6-4, 6-4
Centre Court

Singles

Round 3

Rafa Nadal defeated Radek Štěpánek
6-3, 5-7, 6-1
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Centre Court

The first match begins at 7:30 a.m. USA EST
(Rafa and Marc Lopez's Round 2 Doubles match is the fifth match on the Centre Court)

Quarter Finals
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Rafa
Friday, June 10, 2011
7-6, 4-6, 1-6

Doubles

Round 1
Rafa Nadal and Marc Lopez defeated Thomaz Bellucci and Andre Sa
7-6(6), 6-2

Round 2
[7] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) vs M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Centre Court
Rafa and Marc Lopez's match is the fifth match on the Centre Court

To be honest I am not sure what happened about the doubles match. I am guessing Rafa pulled out of this match. I couldn't find it at the Aegon - Queens Tournament site in the scores section.

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Who Won? Who Lost? EGON-Championships Match-Centre

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Pictures Aegon Championships ~ Queens Tournament

Singles
Rafa practicing
zimbio pictures

Rafael Nadal of Spain on the practice court on day two of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 7, 2011 in London, England.Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

Rafa practicing on day 2 ~ June 6, Monday , 2011
zimbio pictures

Round 2
Singles Pictures of Rafa

Round 2 ~ Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men's Singles second round match against Matthew Ebden of Australia on day three of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 8, 2011 in London, England. Photo by Julian Finney

More Round 2 Singles Pictures

zimbio pictures

daylife pictures

Doubles Pictures
Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain during their Men's Doubles first round match against Thomaz Bellucci and Andre Sa of Brazil on day two of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 7, 2011 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill

More Doubles Pictures
Round 1 zimbio pictures

LIVE Streaming
www.fromsportcom


Fan Support Sites ~ Great sources of information

Vamos Brigade

Rafa's Babolat-sponsored Forum

Facebook RAFA-NADAL-BRING-BACK-LONG-PANTS-SLEEVELESS-TOPS


Rafa's Facebook
www.facebook.com/Nadal

Rafa's Website
rafaelnadal.com


Steve Flink: Rafa Greatest Ever on Clay

6/5/2011

by Steve Flink

PARIS—The way I see it, the debate is now over: Rafael Nadal is indisputably the greatest men’s player ever on clay. I have immense respect for Bjorn Borg, and saw him capture his six French Open crowns with style, grace, and an unshakable demeanor that set him apart from all of his rivals. Borg was magnificent on the dirt, imperturbable to his core, machinelike with his groundstroke accuracy, and an astonishing athlete and sportsman who could beat his rivals to a pulp with his uncanny consistency and ball control that seemed at times to be out of this world.

But Rafael Nadal has taken the clay court game to another level, and I believe simply by tying Borg here at Roland Garros with six championships he deserves the honor of being considered the best player ever on his favorite surface. Nadal has lost only one match in seven years on the red clay of Roland Garros, and it is hard to imagine that he won’t win this tournament at least two more times. It is the place he most loves to do his work, the tournament that seems to inspire him the most, the setting he prefers beyond all others. He is a champion through and through and a man of immense character, which he demonstrated again today with a hard fought 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 triumph over Roger Federer in a contest that lasted three hours and 39 minutes, on a day when the Spaniard was not at the top of his game.

Read the full article at www.tennischannel.com

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

RAFA NADAL IN QUARTER FINAL IN MIAMI 2011

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after defeating Tomas Berdych, of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 at the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., Thursday, March 31, 2011. Photo credit: AP


Final
Novak Djokovic defeated Rafa Nadal
4-6, 6-3 , 7-6 (7-4)
Sunday, April 3, 2011

Zimbio Pictures of Rafael Nadal

(Last year CBS ended up not even airing the Final at Miami
and Andy Roddick (USA) was playing in the Final)

Check The Tennis Channel for re-airing of the Final

Miami
Rd 1 ~ Bye
Rd 2 Rafa defeated Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-4
Rd 3 Rafa defeated Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-3
Rd 4 Rafa defeated Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1, 6-2


Round 4 ~ Rafael Nadal of Spain returns against Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine during the Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 29, 2011 in Key Biscayne, Florida.
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America


KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain shakes the sweat from his hair after his win over Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine during the Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 29, 2011 in Key Biscayne, Florida. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images


Quarter Final

Rafa Nadal defeated Tomas Berdych

6-2, 3-6, 6-3

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Thank you Rafa for winning! I needed that!
A little scary there in the 2nd set. Stunning first set. Third set clenched it.


QF Yahoo pictures of Rafa


QF Zimbio pictures of Rafa


2nd set of Quarter Final highlights

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If you double click the video, going to Youtube, you will also see the highlights to Sets 1 and 3.


The audio of Rafa answering press questions after Quarter Final match

multimedia.quotidiano


KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain argues with the chair umpire during his match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during the Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 31, 2011 in Key Biscayne, Florida. Photo by Mike Ehrmann of Getty Images



Miami
Semi Final
Rafa Nadal defeated Roger Federer
6-3, 6-2
April 1, 2011

Semi Final
Rafa Nadal defeated Roger Federer
6-3, 6-2
April 1, 2011


TV Schedule


Miami Sony Ericsson Open


Get your catch up news at two great sources on their forums, when I let you down:
Vamos Brigade
and
Rafael Nadal Official Babolat Forum

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

RAFAEL NADAL'S SIDELINE CAREER


Rafa Nadal NIKE shoot
Photo credit: unknown


Rafa Nadal NIKE shoot
Photo credit: unknown


Rafa Nadal NIKE shoot
Photos credit: unknown

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Rafa Nadal - The making of the NIKE video from AW77
Uploaded by ozonmag

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Rafa Nadal inPromo shoot for Balearic Islands
Uploaded by meriko100

Balearic Islands Promo shoot
Photo credit: unknown

Rafa Nadal Lanvin picture
Photos credit: unknown


Rafael Nadal of Spain was named Ambassador of Tennis by ITWA during day three of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Photo credit: unknown

Pictures retrieved from here
See
Rafa Off Court thread
Then
Rafa's off court pics


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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

LOYALTY IS CHARACTERISTIC OF RAFA FANS

We who are Rafa Nadal fans, want him to win. But our admiration doesn't wane when he doesn't win. It is who he is as much as his winning record that we are attracted to.

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Rafa tossing bottle - best part - it is a practice and Rafa was wearing his sleeveless top
Uploaded by vamosrafelnadal

Click on post title
Video of Rafa at U.S. Open - after practice
Signing autographs

My picture was selected by Rafa to be one of the ten winners of the Babolat contest

I received an email from Babolat (Rafa's tennis racket company) stating Rafa selected my picture biting my tennis racket to win prizes for winners of photos 4-10. So, I am not one of the top three winners. My prizes are small. But still - cool.


To enlarge click on the image above.

The following links show all the photos that entered the contest (I am on the first link below (page 3):
www.flickr.com/photos/babolatvs/page3/
www.flickr.com/photos/babolatvs/page4/
www.flickr.com/photos/babolatvs/page1/
www.flickr.com/photos/babolatvs/page2/

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Saturday, September 12, 2009

RAFA HAPPY TO BE IN SEMI-FINAL AT US OPEN - DEL POTRO TOUGH OPPONENT

UPDATE - U.S. OPEN SEMI-FINAL

6 foot, 6 inch,
number 6 ranked tennis player in the world, Del Potro, was able to show his wonderful talent today, September 13, 2009 and defeated Rafa

6-2, 6-2, 6-2.

Rafa is a fighter and continued with his never-quit attitude. Del Potro has been showing his talents all year and today, brought his A game. In my opinion, Rafa played in much pain today and simply came to give it the best he could. But his serve toss was much lower due to the attention to the abdominal muscle and in my opinion Rafa tried to play through the pain, but Del Potro was too much to handle today. Del Potro's serve is a killer. And his great shot selection is going to give the other finalist a run for their life. Good luck to Del Potro in the final. He will be up there with Roger (1), Rafa (2 ~ Rafa regains his number 2 position on Tuesday, September 15), Murray (3) and Djokovic (4) ~ very soon in the rankings. Argentine Del Potro is currently ranked behind (5) Andy Roddick at number 6. Rankings

I like Juan Martin Del Potro - he is modest and has nothing to dislike as far as his attitude and the way he presents himself.

For Rafa - my favorite tennis player - recuperation for the abdominal muscle area would be the first thought in his mind for sure. All the best to Rafa.

Human Nature's Bad Side.....
What has happened to civility? by ESPN.com's Jeff Mac Gregor

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Rafael Nadal defeated Fernando Gonzalez in the Quarter-final that started Thursday, and finished today, Saturday. There were two rain delays Thursday night, then finally at midnight the game had to be called because of rain. Then all day Friday, Rafa and Fernando waited and waited. Theirs was the last match to be canceled late Friday night due to rain again. Today, they played the match starting at noon.


When they started the score was 7-6, 6-6 and Rafa led in the tie break 3-2.

Rafa won the second set tie break at 7-2.
The Quarter-final score was 7-6, 7-6, 6-0

17 pictures of Rafa at Zimbio

Rafa moves through to the Semi-final to be played Sunday...

Rafa's on-cout interview after Quarter-final win

S
unday, September 13, 2009

Semi-final of Rafa
Arthur Ashe Stadium
12:00 p.m Noon EST USA
ESPN2 network televising the match

BONUS:
Click my post title to go to the U.S. Open website
to watch Rafa's match online for free

Rafael Nadal(ESP)[3] vs. the sleeveless Juan Martin Del Potro(ARG)[6]

Semi-final
Not before 4:30 p.m. Roger Federer(SUI)[1] vs. Novak Djokovic(SRB)[4]
CBS Network (unless the networks again change the schedule. It has been difficult to keep up with their changes of scheduling.)


Women's Final
Caroline Wozniacki(DEN)[9] vs. Kim Clijsters(BEL)
9:00 p.m.
on ESPN2 network

Click my post title to go to the U.S. Open website

to watch Rafa's match online for free

Men's Final Monday at 4:00 p.m.


All photos of Rafa during or after Quarter-final, September 12, 2009
Photo credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images


Photo credit: Getty Images


Photo credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images


Photo credit: Getty Images



Photo credit: Getty Images

Rafa after Quarter-final, September 12, 2009
Photo credit: AP


Photo credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images


Nostalgia of Rafa's sleeveless

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Friday, August 21, 2009

THE BEAUTY OF RAFA BACK TONIGHT IN CINCY

Quarter Finals ~ Cincinnati
Quarter Final Result
Rafa Nadal defeated Tomas Berdych
August 21, 2009
4-6, 5-7
Photos credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images

Watch the above match
on ESPN 2 Friday

August 21, 2009
10:30 p.m (not live)


pictures Rafael Nadal

And the great news
is
Rafa played really well

So Happy for Rafa

Great statistics: www.protennislive.com
Click on Today's Results then click on Rafa's match with Berdych

Those great "Rafa on-the-run" shots were there for Rafa

Semi Finals
Saturday August 22, 2009

Roger Federer v. Andy Murray
2:oo p.m.
Rafael Nadal v. Novak Djokovic
7:00 p.m.

Live stream for free here:
http://www.atdhe.net/

Sat., Aug. 22 2:00 - 4:00 PM SF ESPN2



10:00 PM - 12:00 AM


SF


ESPN2 This is Rafa's match - not aired live








Sun., Aug. 23 12:30 - 3:00 PM Final CBS




* All Times Eastern


Semifinal Saturday order of play


All the photos credits: Nick Laham/Getty Images
Quarter Finals ~ Cincinnati
Rafa defeated Tomas Berdych
August 21, 2009
4-6, 5-7







All the above photos credits: Nick Laham/Getty Images
Quarter Finals ~ Cincinnati
Rafa defeated Tomas Berdych
August 21, 2009

4-6, 5-7


Imagine these pictures without the sleeves . . .

They would be so much more enjoyable to the senses . . .


Cincinnati Round of 16 - Round 3
Rafa Nadal defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu
5-7, 2-6
Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Image


Cincinnati Round of 16 - Round 3
Rafa Nadal defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu
5-7, 2-6
Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Image

Cincinnati Round 2
Rafa Nadal defeated Andreas Seppi
6-7, 6-7
Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images


Cincinnati Round 2
Rafa Nadal defeated Andreas Seppi
6-7, 6-7
Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images

Thin Faced Rafa
Cincinnati Round 2
Rafa Nadal defeated Andreas Seppi
6-7, 6-7
Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images


Cincinnati Round 2
Rafa Nadal defeated Andreas Seppi
6-7, 6-7
Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images


Cincinnati Round 2
Rafa Nadal defeated Andreas Seppi
6-7, 6-7
Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images


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