Lest we forget ...

There's history between these two ... bad blood, borne out Soderling's antics at Wimbledon in 2007. Rafa had been two sets to love down in this match, but dragged it back to two all. At about 8 pm at night both players left their chairs for Rafa to serve at the start of the fifth.

In one of the most blatant pieces of gamesmanship ever, whilst Rafa was doing his usual 'preparing himself to serve' routine, he didn't realise that the Sod had gone back to his chair to change his racquet, thus rendering Rafa about to start serving to an empty court. The umpire called this to Rafa's attention who couldn't believe that the Sod had had the gaul to do this. He steadied himself, prepared again, and whilst the Sod was there ready to receive, Rafa stopped himself and promptly showed the Sod the new balls - to the hilarity of the court. So the Sod then attempted 30-15 by tugging the wedgie out of his shorts. He received the Rafastare ... and ultimately was beaten.



But the feelings remain, and the Sod continues to be someone that Rafa wants to tank. And he did. In Rome. 6-0, 6-1. And we were treated to a tonne of Rafaflesh at the end of it ... Will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow ...