Sunday: Rafa vs. Robredo (Set 3)

That was a nerve wracking service game. But you could tell Tommy knew he had to hold and try to win that set, because to come back and win 3 sets in a row will be a tough task against Sr. Nadal.

TR to serve. He has 3 times as many UE's as Rafa. It's made the difference, even though he has hit more winners. Great pass by Rafa. 0-15. Trademark BH passing shot. BH goes long. 0-30. FH down the line. 0-40. Rafa is getting comfortable now. Fist pump. 3 BP's. FH error. Game Rafa.

1-0, RN.

Rafa to serve. He has a 10-1 record at the Barca tournament. Interesting stat. Rafa misses drop shot. Little too cute there. I think that mnatch he lost was against Corretja the first time he played the event. Rafa got a wild card. 15-15. Nice volley by Rafa. Now that he's up 2 sets, he's mixing things up a bit. TR hits long. 30-15. Another error. 40-15. Rafa misses bh, but he didn't have much chance there. 40-30. Vamos, Rafa!!! Fault. Rafa, you aren't in the locker room yet. Must keep fighting and he does. He draws the UE. Game, RN.

2-0, RN

FH goes wide. 0-15. Another UE. 0-30. Rafa wants to get to the locker room, I guess. FH winner there. TR looks frustrated. 15-30. I can imagine why. Tommy pulls the trigger and goes long. 15-40. Two BP's. Rafa is keeping the pressure on, making TR try to hit the winner. Fault. TR ran down angle volley, and saves one BP. He breaks with smash volley. He's in full Rafa mode now.

3-0, RN

Rafa hits long. 30-15. Although he's picked up his level play, probably coz he has such a nice lead. OH winner by TR. The commentators said that it seems TR has given up. But he played two good points in this game. 30-30. Vamos, Rafa!!! Fault. Nice passing shot. 40-30. Fault. FH UE by Tommy. Rafa wins game.

4-0, RN

TR serving. 15-0. Great lob by Rafa. Tommy couldn't pull off the between the legs shot. 15-15. Screaming BH angle winner. He's showing us why he's the King of Clay. 15-30. The pass didn't work there. 30-30. Commentators are saying TR has had best success at the net today, if he get in position to get there. Good serve. 40-30. But Rafa is fighting. Not giving away anything. Fault. Nice return. Deuce. BH volley winner. Ad Tr. Misses FH though. Deuce. They are saying that Nadal breaks down his opponents. And he did there, FH goes wild. Ad Rafa for another break. Return into net. Deuce. Ad TR. He's fighting to win the game. BH down the line winner. Deuce. Fault. What was that, Rafa! FH goes wild. Ad TR. Let. Fault. FH goes wide. Ad Rafa. Commentators are saying that Rafa isn't going to give Robredo anything. Successful lob by TR. But Rafa did all he could to run that down. Another UE by TR. Ad RN. Fault. Misses again. And Rafa wins game. Man, that is pressure. TR very frustrated. Actually, I had Rafa winning the game a point before he did. But he won it.

5-0, RN.

Serving for Championship, and to surpass Borg's clay court streak. Vamos, Rafa!!! Adjusts socks, all is right with the world!!! DF. Maybe he's a little nervous here. First DF since opening set. BH UE. 15-15. TR hits long. 30-15. Two points away from another milestone in his young career. OH winner after he draw Rafa out wide. 30-30. TR wants to win at least one game this set. Vamos, Rafa!!! BH goes long. Championship point for Rafael Nadal!!! Vamos, Rafa!!! The crowd has been very even for both players. Rafa is so focused. Misses FH angle, after bludgeoning TR. Rafa can't believe he missed it. Deuce. Drop shot, and then Rafa is able to pass at the net. Second championship point by Rafa. Toni is laughing. Rafa takes his time. Retrurn into net, for historkic win. Rafa is one happy kid, as he ascknowledges the crowd.

6-4, 6-4, 6-0. Well done, Rafa!!