Rafa KOs Kei ...

But its hardly convincing.

As I write, I'm watching the match and Rafa has just won the first set. He's been entirely out of sorts, rhythm all off, was broken early, managed to break back, stretching the left leg. And then something I think we'd rather not see ...

Twitter was awash with quotes from La Marca today that he wasn't playing the up-coming Davis Cup round because of tendinitis. Now, I know after the DC final in December he said he was withdrawing this year, but there have been so many comments this year (including some from Toni) that he would possibly play, that I can't say it would have been a tremendous shock if his name was on the team list. Anyhow, it isn't, but as we're always being told to treat reports in La Marca with a bit of caution, I ignored it. But then with Rafa's really out of sorts play, constant looks to his box, and then his MTO at 5-4 with the return of the old strapping under the knee ... I hope all is going to be well.

The worry is part of being a Rafa-fan, isn't it??

But regardless, Rafa did what Champions do which is to eke out a win when you're not playing well or feeling well, and 6-4, 6-4 it was. Brutal and grinding was how the commies called it ... but then if he was playing like a God they would say the same thing.

Keep going Rafa. And work your magic, Maymo.