"These kind of matches make me feel alive ..."

Well thanks for that Rafa ... but they're killing us!!

I sit here sometimes just staring at my screen and not really knowing how to start the post, or what to say, or the fact that I've used all the superlatives you could ever imagine over the years watching Rafa. And yet, he goes and does it all again.

This clay season has been such a rocky road for him, that I barely knew what to expect when Rafa took to the court against Murray. In previous matches this tournament, he's started well, but then lost it, and had to fight-ed hard to get back.  This time, it was the reverse.

I'm sure you've seen the match by now, so I won't dwell on it's detail.  Would I have it any other way? You bet your ass I would.  Give me a nice 6-1, 6-2 any day of the week. But that's not Rafa. And so when he tirelessly brings this sort of drama to a tennis court over and over again ... it beggars belief why so many want to see him fail. After such a fantastic victory last night, I don't want to dwell on negativity, but it was in my thoughts as I watched the match evolve. When did Andy Murray get so popular in Rome? Why the cries of "And-eee, And-eee, And-eee".  Once again, sure, you can support who you like. But when you're privileged enough to see a true warrior of the game, someone the likes of which you'll never see again ... why not encourage and cheer on his comeback to the end? If Rafa fails, what does that do for your tournament? If you want drama, then you're sure to get nothing else with Rafael Nadal on the court. Would you have a massive spring in your step if you were off to the Foro Italico to see Gilles Simon take on Andy Murray?

I think not.

Rafa battles on against his opponent and largely a crowd and media who sharpen their teeth over his failure.  I've said this before, but so often we have to sit and listen to an entire commentary based around what player X should do to beat Rafa. It's all about beating Rafa. But he's not beat yet ... as his magnificent fight back and tactics showed last night. As his reaction to victory showed us. As with all the fist pumps and cries and shouts of Vamos. No ... he's not beat yet.

Good luck again tonight, Rafa. We look forward to one more match that might be the death of us ...