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Rio 2016: Rafael Nadal Wins Olympic Gold For Spain

The miracle run of Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro continued Saturday, as he defeated Spain’s Rafael Nadal 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 in an instant classic to earn an opportunity to play for the gold medal in men’s singles at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

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Having been unsure whether he would even play after more than two months out with his own wrist injury, the 30-year-old has now played 11 matches and won gold with Marc Lopez in the doubles.

“It was an incredible experience to win with my best friend”, said Nadal to NBC afterwards.

“We fought and gave everything”. In the end with the tiebreak I played so aggressive with my forehand, looking for the winners and I did great at the end. The moment was unbelievable, and we had fun.

Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who was pushed to the brink of retirement by years of wrist trouble, downed Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5, 7-6 (7/4).

Three of the top four seeds are in the men’s singles semis with Del Potro, who beat top seed Novak Djokovic, being the lone exception.

In the first semi-final earlier on Saturday, Andy Murray moved a step closer to becoming the first tennis player with consecutive Olympic singles gold medals. “Now I’m starting to understand that I will win a medal”.

The world number 141 Del Potro, whose career was nearly ended by a series of wrist surgeries, triumphed after three hours and eight minutes of epic action.

When asked about the crowd’s support for Bellucci, Nadal responded graciously, saying: “I feel the crowd with me nearly all the time, but normally when I play against a local player it’s a different story”.

He came into the Olympics strong and was in contention to win this match, but Nishikori’s mental fortitude kicked in, Not only did he save several match points, he turned the match around to win his way into the semifinals by beating the Frenchman 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (6).

“You have to totally change your technique and your strokes and it throws off your rhythm, your timing”, said Murray who hit 48 unforced errors in the swirling conditions.

“I expected a tough match”.

One break looked like it would be enough as del Potro’s serve was clicking and both players held for the next six games.

“It’s not the medal I wish but still it’s silver, and before I came here I said to myself I would do everything to win a medal and I won a silver one and I’m proud to represent my country and to take an Olympic medal back home”. He had not beaten the Spaniard on a hard court for five years.

In the women’s singles bronze medal match, Kvitova beat the United States’ Madison Keys in three sets.

“It would be unbelievable to win the gold and it would be the biggest honour in the world”, said world number 34 Puig. And I know Rafa’s never lost in the Olympics, but gosh, that Delpo forehand when it’s on…and it’s on.

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Nadal, Lopez win men´s doubles gold was posted in Sports of TheNews International – https://www.thenews.com.pk on August 13, 2016 and was last updated on August 13, 2016.

Spain's Rafael Nadal and Spain's Marc Lopez celebrate after winning the men's doubles final tennis match against Romania's Florin Mergea and Romania's Horia Tecau at the Olympic Tennis Centre of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Jan