News for 'Rafa'

PHOTOS: Djokovic, Nadal set up blockbuster US Open final

PHOTOS: Djokovic, Nadal set up blockbuster US Open final

Rediff.com8 Sep 2013

World number one Novak Djokovic and number two Rafa Nadal set up a mouth-watering men's singles final at the US Open with victories in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Biggest upsets in men's singles at Wimbledon

PHOTOS: Biggest upsets in men's singles at Wimbledon

Rediff.com25 Jun 2013

Wimbledon has witnessed some seismic shocks down the years but few could top twice champion Rafa Nadal's elimination at the hands of Steve Darcis, a Belgian ranked 135th in the world, in the first round on Monday. Here are six other matches that shook up Wimbledon.

EPL PHOTOS: Torres sparks rally as Chelsea jump above Spurs

EPL PHOTOS: Torres sparks rally as Chelsea jump above Spurs

Rediff.com8 Apr 2013

Chelsea, galvanised by the second-half introduction of Fernando Torres, capped a successful week by coming from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1 to leapfrog Tottenham Hotspur into third place in the Premier League on Sunday.

Nadal and Federer on collision course at U.S. Open

Nadal and Federer on collision course at U.S. Open

Rediff.com1 Sep 2013

Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal remained on course for a tantalising first ever collision at the U.S. Open after demolishing their opposition at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.

Nadal seeded fifth at Wimbledon

Nadal seeded fifth at Wimbledon

Rediff.com19 Jun 2013

Rafa Nadal could face world number one Novak Djokovic, defending champion Roger Federer or home favourite Andy Murray as early as the Wimbledon quarter-finals after being announced as fifth seed for the tournament on Wednesday.

PIX: Ronaldo on target as Juve go 3rd; Varane strikes for Real

PIX: Ronaldo on target as Juve go 3rd; Varane strikes for Real

Rediff.com7 Feb 2021

A summary of Saturday's action in Serie A and La Liga.

ATP Cup starts off with gaffe ...

ATP Cup starts off with gaffe ...

Rediff.com3 Jan 2020

Organisers played a wrong national anthem for Moldova ahead of their tie against Belgium in Sydney. Denis Shapovalov won the battle of the next generation against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas to help Canada to an emphatic 3-0 victory in the inaugural ATP Cup men's team event in Brisbane on Friday.

US Open: Holder Murray could meet Djokovic in semis

US Open: Holder Murray could meet Djokovic in semis

Rediff.com23 Aug 2013

US Open champion Andy Murray faces the mouthwatering prospect of meeting top seed Novak Djokovic in this year's semi-finals after the draw for the season's final Grand Slam was announced on Thursday.

Nadal now has 12 Grand Slams in his kitty!

Nadal now has 12 Grand Slams in his kitty!

Rediff.com9 Jun 2013

Factbox on Rafa Nadal, who won his eighth French Open tennis title on Sunday.

Venus pulls out of Brisbane International

Venus pulls out of Brisbane International

Rediff.com1 Jan 2020

Venus Williams has pulled out of the upcoming Brisbane International after suffering a 'setback' in training

Djokovic and Murray stunned but Nadal stands tall

Djokovic and Murray stunned but Nadal stands tall

Rediff.com17 Aug 2013

World number one Novak Djokovic and number two Andy Murray crashed out of the Western and Southern Open within an hour of each other on Friday, before Rafa Nadal restored order with a win over old rival Roger Federer.

I will bring Chelsea family back together, says Mourinho

I will bring Chelsea family back together, says Mourinho

Rediff.com17 Aug 2013

Jose Mourinho wants to be judged as a new Chelsea manager rather than for his achievements in his previous stint at Stamford Bridge, and says his first aim is to unite the club's fans after last season's turmoil.

Federer upset by Nishikori in Madrid third round

Federer upset by Nishikori in Madrid third round

Rediff.com9 May 2013

Defending champion Roger Federer became the second high-profile casualty at the Madrid Open when he was beaten 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 by Japanese 14th seed Kei Nishikori in the third round.

Injured Djokovic to play in Monte Carlo

Injured Djokovic to play in Monte Carlo

Rediff.com17 Apr 2013

Novak Djokovic will be hoping his gamble to play in the Monte Carlo Masters does not leave his claycourt season going bust after he decided to test his injured ankle in the glamorous principality.

Nadal, Murray in Federer's path at Wimbledon

Nadal, Murray in Federer's path at Wimbledon

Rediff.com21 Jun 2013

Roger Federer faces a tough road to another Wimbledon final after Friday's draw threw Rafa Nadal and home favourite Andy Murray into the champion's path and cleared the way for world No 1 Novak Djokovic.

Nadal recovery on course, confirms return next month

Nadal recovery on course, confirms return next month

Rediff.com17 Jan 2013

Rafael Nadal has passed the latest medical tests on his injured knee, the Spanish tennis federation (RFET) said on Wednesday as the world number four confirmed he would return after more than seven months out at the Brazil Open next month.

Djokovic bids to extend Melbourne Park supremacy

Djokovic bids to extend Melbourne Park supremacy

Rediff.com11 Jan 2013

Defending champion Novak Djokovic returns to the Australian Open seeking his third consecutive trophy at Melbourne Park, where memories of last year's gut-wrenching final against Rafa Nadal still linger around Rod Laver Arena's blue centre court.

Protestor with a flare interrupts French Open final

Protestor with a flare interrupts French Open final

Rediff.com9 Jun 2013

Four protesters, one letting off a flare, briefly interrupted the French Open tennis final between Rafa Nadal and fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Sunday.

Will Nadal clinch his eighth French Open title?

Will Nadal clinch his eighth French Open title?

Rediff.com9 Jun 2013

Facts and figures on Sunday's all-Spanish men's French Open final between Rafa Nadal and David Ferrer.

Blockbuster Friday as Nadal, Djokovic renew hostilities

Blockbuster Friday as Nadal, Djokovic renew hostilities

Rediff.com7 Jun 2013

The current best player in the world meets the greatest claycourt player of all time in a French Open blockbuster on Friday -- but it is not even the final.

Reina hurt at Liverpool exit but relishing Napoli move

Reina hurt at Liverpool exit but relishing Napoli move

Rediff.com29 Jul 2013

Spain international goalkeeper Pepe Reina has left Liverpool for a season-long loan at Serie A club Napoli, but said in an open letter to fans of the five-times European champions it was not his decision to leave Anfield.

Nadal survives Gulbis scare, Williams advances

Nadal survives Gulbis scare, Williams advances

Rediff.com17 May 2013

Defending champion Rafa Nadal recovered from losing the opening five games against Ernests Gulbis to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters on Thursday.

Brazen Benitez risks losing Chelsea job this time

Brazen Benitez risks losing Chelsea job this time

Rediff.com28 Feb 2013

Rafael Benitez is well-known for his 'Rafa rants' and his latest tirade against employers Chelsea could further damage his reputation and chances of finding another job.

Murray exits, Nadal battles past Ferrer in Madrid

Murray exits, Nadal battles past Ferrer in Madrid

Rediff.com11 May 2013

Andy Murray's latest bid for a maiden clay title ended when he fell to Tomas Berdych in the Madrid Open quarter-finals on Friday, leaving Rafa Nadal as the only member of the 'big four' still alive at the Masters event.

Nadal checks Paire to advance in Madrid

Nadal checks Paire to advance in Madrid

Rediff.com9 May 2013

Rafa Nadal avoided a similar fate to beaten World No 1 Novak Djokovic when he dismissed French young gun Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-4 to claim a place in the third round of the Madrid Open on Wednesday.

Mint-green Federer looking sharp on competitive return

Mint-green Federer looking sharp on competitive return

Rediff.com7 May 2013

Roger Federer looked as sharp as ever in his first match following a two-month layoff as he beat Czech Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-3 at the Madrid Open on Tuesday.

League Cup: Southampton, Newcastle go out; Burnley win

League Cup: Southampton, Newcastle go out; Burnley win

Rediff.com24 Aug 2017

Burnley beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 at Ewood Park in their East Lancashire derby but Premier League sides Southampton and Newcastle United crashed out of the English League Cup to Championship opposition in Wednesday's second-round games.

Nadal pulls out of Brazil doubles

Nadal pulls out of Brazil doubles

Rediff.com14 Feb 2013

Former world number one Rafa Nadal withdrew suddenly from the doubles at the Brazil Open on Wednesday because of what organisers said was a desire to preserve his strength for the singles competition.

David Ferrer withdraws from Wimbledon with elbow injury

David Ferrer withdraws from Wimbledon with elbow injury

Rediff.com28 Jun 2015

Spain's David Ferrer has pulled out of Wimbledon on the eve of the tournament because of an elbow injury, the All England Club said in a statement on Sunday.

Nadal routs Raonic to close on eighth Barcelona title

Nadal routs Raonic to close on eighth Barcelona title

Rediff.com27 Apr 2013

Rafa Nadal moved to within one victory of an eighth Barcelona Open title in nine years when he thrashed Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-0 on Saturday to set up a final against fourth-seeded Spanish compatriot Nicolas Almagro.

Benitez lucky to land Chelsea job: Ferguson

Benitez lucky to land Chelsea job: Ferguson

Rediff.com24 Nov 2012

Alex Ferguson wasted little time renewing his old rivalry with Rafael Benitez on Friday when he branded the Spaniard "lucky" for walking into the manager's job at Chelsea.

Nadal ousts Paire in rain-delayed Barcelona match

Nadal ousts Paire in rain-delayed Barcelona match

Rediff.com26 Apr 2013

Rafa Nadal overcame another hurdle on his way to a possible eighth Barcelona Open title in nine years when he recovered from a poor start to beat Benoit Paire 7-6, 6-2 in their delayed third-round match on Friday.

Nadal to sue former French minister over doping claims

Nadal to sue former French minister over doping claims

Rediff.com14 Mar 2016

Rafael Nadal has said he will sue the former French government minister Roselyne Bachelot after she alleged that the Spaniard's lengthy absence from tennis in 2012 was due to a positive doping test.

Djokovic battles through pain, Nadal finds it easy

Djokovic battles through pain, Nadal finds it easy

Rediff.com17 Apr 2013

Novak Djokovic's gamble to test his injured ankle at the Monte Carlo Masters appeared to be backfiring but he dug his heels in to battle past Russian Mikhail Youzhny 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the second round on Wednesday.

Benitez to continue rotating for Chelsea fixture frenzy

Benitez to continue rotating for Chelsea fixture frenzy

Rediff.com17 Apr 2013

Rafa Benitez will continue to rotate his Chelsea players as they bid to deal with a fixture pile-up and rebound from two consecutive defeats, the club's interim manager said on Tuesday.

Soccer: Antonio sets record as West Ham thrash Leicester

Soccer: Antonio sets record as West Ham thrash Leicester

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

Having headed into the match tied on 47 league goals with West Ham's former stalwart Paolo Di Canio, Antonio was delighted to have surpassed the Italian as he celebrated by lifting a cardboard cut-out of himself at the side of the pitch.

Del Potro ends Djokovic's unbeaten run, meets Nadal

Del Potro ends Djokovic's unbeaten run, meets Nadal

Rediff.com17 Mar 2013

World number one Novak Djokovic's unbeaten run of 22 matches came to an end on Saturday when he was upset 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 by Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro in the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals in Indian Wells.

Throwback 2020: Thiem breaks 'Big Three' hold on Grand Slams

Throwback 2020: Thiem breaks 'Big Three' hold on Grand Slams

Rediff.com1 Jan 2021

The professional tennis circuit, which requires players to jet around the world, was forced into shutdown in early March as countries went into lockdown and closed their borders to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Villa key part of Barcelona squad: Iniesta

Villa key part of Barcelona squad: Iniesta

Rediff.com28 Dec 2012

David Villa is an important member of the Barcelona squad, his club and international team mate Andres Iniesta said on Thursday amid speculation the Spain striker could move in the January transfer window.

Rivals Federer, Nadal set to meet in last eight

Rivals Federer, Nadal set to meet in last eight

Rediff.com8 Mar 2013

Four-times champion Roger Federer was delighted to welcome back to the ATP Tour his long-time rival Rafa Nadal, a man he could face in the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.