You could have forgiven us for doubting Rafa in this one. Tsonga in good form, the defending champion, in front of a partisan Parisian crowd ... and Rafa playing woeful at best.
But this was the day that the 'real' Rafa did indeed show up. Tsonga started magnificently and could have broken Rafa in his opening service game, but he hung on. Tsonga's tennis in the first set was about as good as he could play, but Rafa was up to it and broke to take the first 7-5. Rafa struggled at 0-40 down early in the second, but played some blinding, effective, attacking stuff and broke in the eleventh game to then serve out and win the match ... again at 7-5.
Tomorrow Rafa faces his buddy Nole, who knocked out that git, the Sod.
I am so happy for him ... hopefully this will be the turning point he needs to give him confidence that has been so sadly lacking of late. Vamos Rafa!!
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