Rafa en photos

Rafael Nadal of Spain against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during semi-final on day six of the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 12, 2013 in Shanghai, China. (October 11, 2013 - Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Rafa en photos

INDIAN WELLS, CA - MARCH 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy after defeating Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina to win the men's final match of the 2013 BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 17, 2013 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images) 2013 Getty Images

Rafael Nadal beats Juan Martin del Potro in Indian Wells final

Rafael Nadal capped a stunning return to tennis with victory over Juan Martin Del Potro in the final of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

The Spaniard, playing his first hard-court tournament in a year following a knee injury, won 4-6 6-3 6-4.
He adds Indian Wells to the clay-court titles he won in Brazil and Mexico since returning to action in February.
It was confirmed on Sunday that Nadal will not play in Miami next week, with European clay next on his schedule.

“It's probably one of the most emotional victories of my career”

Rafael Nadal

He heads back to Europe having surpassed all expectations, ending the first stage of his comeback with victory in one of the biggest hard-court tournaments in tennis, which featured all the world's leading players.

Nadal says his left knee has good days and bad days, and he had played down his chances on the more punishing hard courts, but it appears he is already back to his best whatever the surface.
"It's probably one of the most emotional victories of my career," said Nadal.

"The support since I came back has been huge. It's an unforgettable week for me and an unforgettable tournament."

Del Potro, 24, played his part in a tremendous final and went close to following up wins over Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic by making it a hat-trick with Nadal.
The Argentine came back from 0-3, 15-40, to take the first set and move a break up in the second with a run of nine out of 11 games, and victory was in sight at a set and 3-1 up.
Nadal was not done, however, and wrestled the momentum back as he began to win the battle of two of the biggest forehands in the game.
The Spaniard, 25, won five games in succession to force the decider and, after missing a chance to break at the start of the third, he did so with another vicious forehand winner in game three.
There was one final, brilliant cameo from Del Potro as he rescued a desperate situation at 0-40 and three match points down in game nine, but it was only a stay of execution.
Nadal served his way to another championship point and when he finally closed it out, the 11-time Grand Slam champion collapsed to the ground in scenes reminiscent of his major triumphs.
"I started the match playing fantastic, then Del Potro started playing a little more aggressive," said Nadal, whose last hard-court title came in 2010.
"In my opinion, I tried to change too early against his forehand. I was playing much too aggressive for my game.
"When I was able to calm myself, I began to play better. I started to play a little bit slower. My movement was unbelievable. Then I play a fantastic match,"

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21825356

Nadal triomphe

                                         Photo :  AFP/Michael HEIMAN

Rafael Nadal a remporté son premier tournoi d'envergure depuis son retour de sa blessure au genou en défaisant Juan Martin del Potro (no 7) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 en finale à Indian Wells, dimanche.

L'Espagnol avait bien entamé le match avec une avance de 3-0 en première manche, mais a plié devant l'Argentin.

Nadal (no 5) s'est toutefois repris en effaçant un retard de 1-3 en seconde manche et a complètement renversé la vapeur. Le match marathon s'est terminé après 2 h 30 min de jeu.

« Je suis très heureux de mon niveau de tennis après ces sept mois (de blessure) et de moments difficiles », a déclaré l'Espagnol.

Il a donc gagné son troisième tournoi à Indian Wells (2007, 2009) et sa première compétition sur un terrain dur depuis 2010. Il s'agit également d'un troisième sacre consécutif cette saison.

La 5e raquette mondiale devance aussi maintenant Roger Federer avec 22 titres Masters de l'ATP. Il a cependant déclaré forfait pour le prochain, celui de Miami qui se mettra en branle lundi, puisque son docteur l'a forcé au repos.

Source:http://www.radio-canada.ca/sports/tennis/2013/03/17/001-sharapova-wozniacki-indian-wells.shtml

Rafa en photos

Rafael Nadal, of Spain against Juan Martin del Potro, of Argentina, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Sunday, March 17, 2013, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)