Sunday: Rafa vs. Hernych (Set 1)

They are on court warming up. Rafa is wearing a bright orange shirt, his piratas, and white headband. He just shanked a ball.

Chris Carey from Ace is here. He saw me and said, "Guess they let just anyone in this place." I said, "Not just anyone. A rep from IMG." :D

Vamos, Rafa!!

It's a little nippy out here, with no sun. But the wireless is working well.

Two more minutes in the warmup. They are introducing the players. It was interesting listening to fans comment on Rafa while watching his practice. The most common comment is that he's taller than they thought, and is slimmer.

They are introducing "the Spanish Sensation." He's getting quite a reception. *woohoo*

Hernych won the toss and chose to serve.

Game 1: JH to serve. Rafa adjusts the socks. Fault. 0-15, JH hits long. 0-30, UE by JH. 0-40, as JH misses volley. Go Rafa, get the early break. And he did, with another JH error. Game, Nada.

Game 2: RN to serve. 0-15. Rafa was controlling point with forehands, and then hit BH into net. Ace. 15-15. Fault. Wild bh by RN. 15-30. He seems a little tentative on that side, so JH is going there. Great FH. 30-30. 40-30, JH hits bh into net. Beautiful dropshot winner. Game RN. 2-0, RN.

Game 3: JH to serve. Fault. Rafa misses pass, and yells at himself. 15-0. JH bricks volley. 15-15. Return goes wide. 30-15. Lucky net cord for Rafa. He apologizes. 30-30. Good volley by JH. 40-30. Boy, it's chilly here. I'm shivering. JH passes Rafa. Game JH. 2-1, RN.

Stadium is filling up now.

Game 4: RN to serve. Winner fh by JH. 0-15. Would someone please remind folks on the MB that I'm doing this blog. Another one. 0-30, and RN is in trouble on serve. Come on, Rafa!!! Fault. UE by JH, into net. 15-30. JH missed volley. Good thing, too. 30 all. Vamos! JH is getting more aggressive. Fault. Rafa couldn't handle FH. 30-40. Breakpoint. Come on, Rafa! Fault. He adjusts his pants. JH hit wide after great Rafa FH. Deuce. Rafa yelled "out." Great FH by Rafa. Fist pump. Ad Nadal. Game Rafa, after great serve. Most of the media are inside watching this -- I can see why. It's cold. 3-1, RN.

Game 5: JH to serve. 15-0. Return long. 30-0. Rafa teed off on that return. I think the ball is in La Quinta. 40-0. BH long. Game JH. 3-2, RN. Rafa's bh is giving him a little trouble, I think.

Game 6. I'm shivering here. I may have to go inside, too. Rafa to serve. Let. BH goes wide, after Rafa thought ball was going out. 0-15. He's got to raise the level of his game a bit. JH into net. 15-15. Fault. 30-15, after JH hits soft served wide. Fault. Shank by Rafa. He screams. 30-30. 40-30. Fist pump. It's a little windy on court. JH hits wide. Game Nadal. 4-2, RN.

Game 7: JH to serve. 15-0, as return goes wide. Lob goes long, but it was a great point. 30-0. 40-0. Rafa misses pass. His game definitely is a bit off. FH into net. Game JH. 4-3, RN. Rafa's lucky to be up a break, IMO.

Game 8: RN to serve. Great serve, and FH follow up. 15-0. Volley winner by JH. 15-15. Ace. Fist pump. 30-15. 40-15, as lob goes a bit long. Thankfully. Rafa is getting pumped that the last points have gone well. Fault. Hits FH wide. 40-30. Vamos!! Rafa bricked an easy volley. He's mad at himself. Deuce. JH bricks volley. AD RN. Ace, and Rafa squeals and does fist pump. Game Nadal. 5-3, RN.

Game 9: JH to serve. 30-0. He is serving much better. Gorgeous pass by Rafa. 30-15. That's the Rafa we know and love. JH hits long. 30-30. Rafa fell down trying to get that ball. But he's okay. 40-30. Volley winner. Game JH. 5-4, Rafa to serve for the set. Vamos!!!

Game 10: I'm in front of the media suite, which is on the second level of suites. I doubt the camera will pan here. *lol* 15-0. I'm not sitting with Lopy, because he doesn't have a cred, and I can't sit anywhere but in the media section with my cred -- at least for the main stadium anyway. 30-0. Two great points by Rafa. I'm shivering now. Hard to type. 40-0. Three setpoints!!!! Vamos!!! DF. 40-15. Fault. Return long. Game, first set, Nadal. New thread. :D