[shawshank]

Rafa quotes after Mayer's match:

"This was a very difficult match. Leonardo was playing really well in the second set," Nadal said.

"He began to play more aggressive and his serve was working well."

"I don't feel like the favourite for tomorrow," said Nadal. "It's been seven months without competing and I will be facing a great clay player.

"I will do my best to play a great match to reach the final, it's that clear."

"So far I've played in three semi-finals and that's fantastic news, and it's even better because my three best games have been here," he said.

"Now I feel like I have nothing to lose no matter what happens tomorrow. Either I will go on to play the final or I will go happy to play in another tournament knowing that the knee is responding better."

[star]

Sorry guys. I was busy getting ready for IW and thot someone would start a new thread for Acapulco.

[mseles1]

Originally Posted by shawshank

What the hell does it man that Rafa got tired after 6/0 set? Anyway, good to hear that his knee if much better

I was confused by that. Thought it was a case of lost in translation and Rafa meant he was bored.

30 minutes late on because of Errani loudly boring everyone for far too long.

I was hoping Acapulco was slow enough for clay court tennis but Almagro for the majority of the match was flying through service games quicker than he was in Melbourne. Surface will probably be slower next year with the introduction of hard courts. 365 commies were speaking about Almagro like he was Borg who'd managed to shave off three decades and had made a comeback. They were muted!

Nadal is truly a class apart when it comes to overcoming adversity. Maybe that's why this Seles fan was hooked from the first time I watched him play! The worst thing Almagro could have done was hit the ball at Rafa, good tactic - wrong player.

1-1 15-0 2nd set Almagro serving, two straight return winners from Rafa. I don't think I've seen that since 2008. Rafa's defence vintage at times.

I went for a ciggie @ 4-4 2nd set and missed the break. Evidently smoking really is bad for a person.

[born_on_clay]

good luck in final Rafa
still great result this week
Rafa's in top 10 in race

[shawshank]

Such a relief to watch a match like this. Rafa could be better at ROS, but in general I was really pleased with how he played. I hope that RG 2012 will stay in Ferrer's mind. It would be great to win in Acapulco, but to me it's 50-50. Rafa needs to serve well and wait for that one game of Ferrer when he can breake him.
The best news anyway is to hear that Rafa's knee is better and that he is saying he can run every ball. That's great.
Vamos Rafa

[born_on_clay]

good luck tonight champ

[mseles1]

Scarily good!

5th game 2nd set, Ferrer 30-15 - all kinds of awesome.

I thought gm posters were premature suggesting Rafa would be beaten badly by top 5/8 opposition. Six + months of playing competition, some of whom at most brush the ball with topspin, then Rafa's topspin rolls back into town. It was never gonna happen.

365 commies - 'The latest rumour is Rafa will play IW and won't play Miami.'

[evilmindbulgaria]

Very good match by Rafa! Congrats to all who have stuck around despite all the injuries and disappointments! And to my dear Mimi - don't stop believing

[NadalPhan]

Haven't visited this place in like forever.

I missed the match, but I heard Rafa played exceptionally well.

[born_on_clay]

Acapulco champion

I really didn't expect this coming especially a massive beatdown

[hat__boy]

Really didn't expect or want to see this type of beatdown again. Where did this form on the BH wing come from though? It's been a long time since I've seen it any where near that effective.

[shawshank]

Amazing FH, amazing BH, good serve, movement is back. Our Rafa is back!
Vamos! #52 and counting!
And I am really happy that he will play in IW! Good choice.
What is stupid is flying today to New York just to fly to Indian Wells next day. These are very long flights. I hate those exhos.

[MariaV]

Meh those exhos but whatever. He can just take it easy at IW now.
STAR, PLEASE PLEASE reports from IW!

[star]

Of course! I will write as much as you all want. I am here and set to be at the gate first thing. With the exho, probably Rafa won't be practicing early. Last year he was normally on the court already practicing when I arrived. Especially during the first week.

Yippee for the great score in the match, but even better news is that Rafa feels good. I think this recovery period has been a roller coaster for him with a lot of fears and discouragement. Anyone who has been through a long rehab knows how sometimes despair and doubt can prey on your mind.

P.S. do you all want iw reports in a separate thread or in the match thread?

[MariaV]

I'd prefer the reports in the tournament thread and maybe you could open the thread, if the others agree? Would be fitting, no? You've brought luck to Rafa so far.