Tight first set for Nadal, as Hernandez now leads 5-4 (on serve).

In this crucial game, Nadal got up 40-15, but now it's deuce.

Ad Nadal.

And he holds for 5-all.

0-30

15-30

15-40

30-40

Nadal breaks and will serve for the set.

On that kind of clay/mud Federer has his chances aaginst Nadal.

As I said many a time, the weather will be key in Paris!

If anyone is watching the match and can add commentary, please do. I only have the scoreboard. Looks like Nadal has been quite good with his serving accuracy, hitting 86% of first serves in so far.

He has two set points now at 40-15.

FIrst set to Nadal 7-5.

Nadal breaks again to start the second set; his fourth straight game won. I have a feeling this one is as good as over, now.

Well done Rafa perhaps just a little rust at the beginning; in steam rolling mode now :clap:

Hernandez not giving up, though, as he gets out to a 30-0 lead on Nadal's serve.

Quickly pegged back to 30-all.

Nadal just showing a little bit of s&v!

Hernandez playing well-some precise shots...but Rafa seems in control.

Have this on tv, most welcome after a day of malfunctioning live scores :angry:

Nadal playing some great attacking tennis, and he's gone up 2-0.

Just seen this: :spam: Brilliant!!

Any excuse to use that smiley eh? roflmao

I've been trying to find a way to work it into my posts.

Oh what the hell: :spam: :D

Hernandez continuing to play confidently despite being a set and break down.

40-15 on his game

I've watched the first set, more than enough for now for my taste.
It seems the court is even for Nadal a bit slow, he had some timing problems with the forehand. But as usual he saves the best for the big points.
I'm quite sure Nadal won't lose any clay match again this season. He doesn't need to tank or isn't afraid to bring some streaks into RG. Rafa wants to become no. 1 as soon as possible.

I am going to have to use it a lot-it's inspired.

Even to myself: :spam:

:D

Nadal takes it to deuce. Lovely forehand from Rafa.

:spam: isn't usually posting around this time of day. :whistle:

:D


This game is going on and on, neither party giving up! Back to advantage Nadal and a chance to take it to 3-0

roflmao

Long service game here for Oscar, trying to get on the board in the second set.

:D

And Raf (or "Rolf" if you're Gilbert!) does it...3-0. There's just no hope for anyone on clay. Again, Hernandez not playing as badly as this second set scoreline would suggest....

Do I hear a fat lady singing . . . .

It's looking that way...I can hear her warming up!

Lovely smashes from Nadal, making Hernandez run to the net.

And Nadal now 4-0 up.

Really, you feel for anyone that has to play him on clay.

Could be a bagel on the menu....

I hope Hernandez can hold here. He seems to have played really well and doesn't deserve to be served a bagel.

5-0

yes, it doesn't reflect how he's played...Rafa is just too good-he's making everyone look either poor or average.

But Nadal offers no charity, and it's now 5-0.

Hernandez played extremely well in the first set, and had numerous chances to break Nadal.

However, it seems to have taken a little something out of him, and his level has dropped a bit. At the same time, Nadal spectacularly picked up his game in the second; he's in the zone.

Now serving for the bagel.

Break point for Hernanadez! :clap:

Yea! He's on the board 1-5. (Now Nadal can close it out. ;) )

Hernandez breaks Nadal and gets on the scoreboard :clap:

He definitely didn't deserve to be bageled, so that's good news. However, I wouldn't be surprised if that took everything out of him, and he succumbed now on his own serve.

As I expected, Nadal takes the set now on Hernandez's serve.

I must say, I've been very impressed with Nadal's play recently. It's not just his usual dependable and accurate play from the baseline, but his dropshots and particularly net game have really picked up. He's got a lot more variety, and he uses it cleverly (building, naturally, on his superb groundstrokes). Well done Rafa.