MurraysWorld  >  Andy Talk  >  MWTC Day 2: Andy Murray vs Rafael Nadal
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MWTC Day 2: Andy Murray vs Rafael Nadal

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I'll let this article and Nadal do the talking here -
 

"Rafael Nadal not expecting miracles ahead of MWTC opener against Andy Murray" [Sport 360, 1 Jan]

Rafael Nadal is not expecting miracles when he takes to centre court in Abu Dhabi on Friday, the Spaniard conceding that he is searching for some rhythm having lacked consistent match play over the past six months.

The world No3 contested just seven matches since Wimbledon last June having struggled with a wrist injury followed by appendicitis, which forced him to opt for surgery at the expense of competing at the ATP World Tour Finals.  Nadal also received treatment for a persistent back problem he had picked up last January at the Australian Open and is now on his way to regaining full fitness.

He had three practice sessions so far in the UAE capital, one with Andy Murray on Wednesday and two with stand-in coach Francis Roig on Thursday.

“The level of tennis for me, I don’t know yet,” Nadal told reporters in Abu Dhabi ahead of his opening Mubadala World Tennis Championship match.

“I practised well, but when you compete it’s different. When you’re out for a while the comebacks are difficult always and here you’re going to compete against the best players.

“So it’s predictable that probably I’m going to suffer a little bit. But at the same time, I’m going to try my best to win, but win or lose, spending time on court will be a very positive thing for me."

Full article - http://sport360.com/article/tennis/30848/rafael-nadal-not-expecting-miracles-ahead-mwtc-opener-against-andy-murray


Match scheduled for 1pm GMT
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Nadal in 2. Since he's playing the 'I'm not the favourite card' he'll win.

Don't care, it's an exho.
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I'm not fooled by Nadal either.  After all look what happened the last time he came back from a long lay-off!  Andy won't be taking anything for granted though, even although it is an exho, but he'll need to step things up a bit, so hopefully his match against Lopez will have been of some benefit.
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Typical Rafa tactic of lowering expectations.   On the one hand he'll be fresh as a daisy whereas Andy could be wilting rather after today's exertions; on the other hand Andy should be much more match fit.   Whatever the outcome just hope Andy plays well and gives Rafa something to think about.   cmon yeah
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Rafa always under- promises and usually over- delivers.
Que sera.
But time Andy started seriously addressing the awful H2H.
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Sadly exhibitions don't count towards the H2H stats.
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they might do psychologically given people seem to be taking this event seriously and competitively
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Good point Ruthie.  Today's match was so competitive I kept forgetting it was an exho!  Also it was the longest match since the MWTC began in 2009 with a lot of high quality play from both, so they definitely can't be accused of not trying.  Wawrinka vs Almagro on the other hand was a damp squib by the sound of it.  Done and dusted by Stan in just over an hour.
[ Last edit by Aileen January 01, 2015, 07:17 pm ] IP Logged
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Where is Uncle Toni?
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I was wondering that too tamila.
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I'll be missing this as at work, I'm not being taken in by Rafa either!
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Where is Uncle Toni?

In a retirement home now sadly Frown
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Is it not that Uncle Toni avoids flying long distances?
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In a retirement home now sadly Frown
Where did you get that from?  Or are you just kidding?

EDIT - From this article dated 30 Dec, it seems Toni is very much alive a kicking! - http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/577462/20141230/rafa-nadal-toni-roger-federer-grand-slam.htm
[ Last edit by Aileen January 01, 2015, 08:05 pm ] IP Logged
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Is it not that Uncle Toni avoids flying long distances?
He usually turns up at the AO though, but maybe he makes exceptions for Slams, and it seems Roig quite often acts as Nadal's alternate coach anyway.
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