Qatar Trip Day 4 – Second Round Singles & Doubles Quarterfinals
Today is a big day: second-round singles at 3:30 p.m., followed by the doubles quarterfinals at 6:00 p.m. With two important matches ahead, our priority has been to keep Rafa in a steady routine — something that gives him structure, focus, and a sense of control over the day. Consistency builds confidence, and confidence wins matches.
We started the morning as usual: waking up early, having a nutritious breakfast, and heading to the tennis centre. Rafa began with coordination and footwork exercises designed to reinforce muscle memory and keep his movement patterns sharp for the evening. These morning sessions have become a cornerstone of his preparation — controlled, focused, and purposeful.
After that, we met a couple of players for the pre-match warm-up. It was light but intense, touching all groundstrokes and keeping the legs active without wasting energy. We also spent time going through the tactical plan for today’s singles match. Knowing his opponent would rely heavily on moonballs, patience and discipline were the key messages for Rafa: build the point, wait for the right moment, and strike with intention.
Singles Match – A Comfortable Win
The match started punctually at 3:30 p.m., and it became clear very quickly that Rafa was in full control. The technical and physical difference between the players was evident from the first games. The match had little history — Rafa played with purpose, followed the plan, and closed it out comfortably without unnecessary stress or effort.
Doubles Quarterfinals – Another Strong Performance
After a long wait, the doubles quarterfinal finally began at 6:45 p.m. Rafa, paired with the No.1 seed from Iraq, once again proved to be a strong and well-balanced team. The boys dominated from start to finish and secured a very easy win, advancing to the semifinals with confidence.
Looking Ahead
Overall, it was a great day — two solid wins, minimal physical expenditure, and a big confidence boost heading into the next rounds, which we know will be more challenging.
Tomorrow morning we’ll head to pick up Rafa’s racket with fresh strings and continue with our usual morning routine to prepare for another day of singles and doubles action.
More to come tomorrow — the tournament is heating up.