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Rafael Nadal
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Rafael Nadal was 19 years and two days old when he won the 2005 French Open in his very first appearance at the event. A left-hander with a booming forehand, Nadal has been known as a clay-court specialist since playing his first pro tournaments in 2001. His aggressive style, flowing hair and muscular build have made him a consistent favorite with female fans as well. He won his first singles title in 2004, and had a breakout season in 2005, winning at Monte Carlo, Rome, Barcelona and Stuttgart as well as at Roland Garros. In 2006 he again won the French Open, defeating Roger Federer in the final.
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Rafael Nadal (born June 3, 1986) is a Spanish professional tennis player whose highest world ranking is number two which he has held since July 25, 2005. He has played in three French Open tournaments (2005 to 2007) and won all three. He ... reached the final at Wimbledon (2006). He is the most dominant male tennis player on clay court. Although naturally right-handed, Nadal plays tennis with his left hand. Nadal came second place in the Wimbledon final in 2007 after losing to Roger Federer.
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Rafael Nadal had no clue as to what would unfold next at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and neither did anybody else. He had never heard of Alun Jones, never played him, and it figures to be awhile before he forgets him.
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Seeded No. 2 going into Wimbledon, Rafael Nadal reached the finals, securing a match against Federer by beating Marcos Baghdatis in the semifinals. During his run, Nadal was two points from defeat against American qualifier Robert Kendrick in the second round before coming back to win in five sets. Nadal ... defeated Andre Agassi in the third round, in Agassi's final match at Wimbledon. All seven of the previous Nadal/Federer encounters had been played on either clay or hard courts; however, Wimbledon is played on grass, Federer's preferred surface. He had won the title three consecutive years. Though Rafael Nadal played well in the final after a sluggish start, he fell in four sets, 6-0, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, cementing Federer's position at the top of the world rankings.
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In the other evening match, Rafael Nadal plays his countryman and friend, David Ferrer. In a day match, Novak Djokovic has a date with Juan Monaco of Argentina, who reached the fourth round of the French Open this year before losing to Guillermo Canas. Djokovic and Monaco have met only once, in a first-round match at Wimbledon two years ago. Djokovic breezed through that match in straight sets.
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Rafael Nadal was born on the island of Mallorca in Spain on June 3, 1986. He started [P]laying tennis when he was just three years old, after watching his Uncle Toni play the sport at a local tennis club. Rafael's uncle began teaching him how to play tennis and by the age of 11, Rafael was winning youth tennis tournaments all across Spain.
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Rafael Nadal