Rafa’s Return!

Written by: Staff on 11th March 2012

Rafa's Return!

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after beating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in their quarter final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, early 25 January 2012. Nadal won 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 and 6-3. EPA/JOE CASTRO |

All eyes were on the world #2 from Spain Rafael Nadal as he took center stage at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The 2012 BNP Paribas Open is Nadal’s first tournament back on the ATP World Tour Circuit since the Australian Open in January. Nadal wasted no time today, pummeling Argentine Leonardo Mayer with a powerful display of forehands and serving (Nadal lost only 4 points on serve) . Banners, flags, pom poms and overall Nadal fans were in attendance and shouts of “Vamos Rafa!” could be heard during every game. Leonardo Mayer must’ve felt pretty lonely out there and produced glimpses of his own power game, hitting a few winners and routinely serving big second serves above 105mph. But the winners were few and far between, and the match became one-way traffic for Nadal as he took the first set 6-1, winning 25 of the 34 points contested.

Despite a dismal practice session earlier this morning where Nadal couldn’t really find the court, he continued his solid play in the match and maintained his focus. Mayer was able to start the 2nd set playing better, but was still unable to produce the consistency needed to force Nadal into the tough areas of the court. Frustration set in during the middle of the 2nd set for Mayer as he couldn’t find anyway to hurt Nadal. Nadal kept punishing Mayer and took the match, 6-3. Nadal now faces countryman Marcel Granollers in the third round. Go to www.youtube.com/the10sballs for a video of both these men playing a little soccer before their warm-ups today.