Rafael Nadal, right, and partner Marc Lopez, of Spain, stand during the awards ceremony after winning the gold medal in men’s doubles at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016.
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The pair defeated Romania’s Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau 6-2 3-6 6-4 in 2 hours 26 minutes on centre court at the Olympic Tennis Centre.
Defending champion Murray beat Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-1 2-6 6-3 in windy conditions, while Nadal – the 2008 singles gold medallist – was too good for Gilles Simon 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.
Earlier in the day, Nadal knocked Brazilian no.1 Thomaz Bellucci out of the singles tournament 2-6, 6-2, 6-2, setting up tomorrow’s semi-final against big-serving Argentinian Del Potro.
He’ll face Nishikori who saved three match points to defeat France’s Gael Monfils 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (8/6).
Rafael Nadal and the rest of the Olympic tennis field encountered an unexpected layoff Wednesday after all action was canceled because of torrential rains and high winds in Rio.
On Saturday, Nadal will play 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, while Murray faces Kei Nishikori of Japan. Today he dropped his first set of the week against the hard-hitting southpaw and continued to prove to the world that his injured left wrist is in a lot better shape than many thought it could be. I’m not sure that were was ever a moment where Nadal was cheered against the way he was in the quarterfinal match. There are few more popular players on the Tour and if goodwill alone won points, Del Potro would have swept the field in Florida. “I am looking forward to going far, but it will be tough against Bautista Agut”. The 31-year-old then battled back and just like earlier, needed four break points to level the match at 4-4.
The world ranked number five lost the first set, but managed to win the match by taking the next two set in an impressive way. “For me it has nothing to do with having won the gold in London”.
“When I saw the draw I thought by now I’d be eating lunch in Tandil with my friends by now”, Del Potro said.
“My only priority is that I have a silver medal for sure”, he said.
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Nadal, playing for the first time in two and a half months after a wrist injury forced him out of the French Open, started Thursday staring at a gruelling 10-match schedule in just four days if he was to win three golds. One of them is guaranteed a spot in the Gold medal match on Sunday, and both of them could end up on the podium when all is said and done.
