Rafael Nadal made it through to the last 16 with victory over Italy’s Andreas Seppi at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Rafa won 6-3, 6-3 to set up a third-round contest against France’s Gilles Simon, who defeated Yuichi Sugita 7-6(3), 6-2.
After the match, Rafa said:
This is an event you only play once every four years so that makes the emotions even higher. I am enjoying on court at the same time not too much pressure from me. After two months not competing I don’t expect much. I just expect to enjoy the Olympic experience again and that’s what I am doing. (via ITF)
Rafa on why he’s playing men’s doubles and mixed doubles:
You never know if it’s the last Olympics for me, hopefully not. But it’s a possibility… (via Tennis Now)
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Andreas Seppi of Italy during the men’s singles match of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Tennis events at the Olympic Tennis Centre in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 09 August 2016. (España, Brasil, Tenis, Italia) EFE/EPA/ETTORE FERRARI
Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve against Andreas Seppi of Italy during the men’s singles match of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Tennis events at the Olympic Tennis Centre in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 09 August 2016. (España, Brasil, Tenis, Italia) EFE/EPA/ETTORE FERRARI
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Second Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 09/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain reacts during his match against Andreas Seppi (ITA) of Italy. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Second Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 09/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain reacts during his match against Andreas Seppi (ITA) of Italy. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Second Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 09/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain celebrates after winning his match against Andreas Seppi (ITA) of Italy. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Screenshot BBC
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Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
IS RAFA PLAYING LATE TONIGHT UK
,
His singles match is due on centre court now but there has been a delay. I think its the weather.
Wonderfully Marvellous, great I don.t see much tennis here in Oz because they aren,t putting the tennis on mores the pity although i got to see some yesterday, so have to relay on Facebook to get the scores, However a great win by our Champion Hope he can keep it going Vamos Rafa
This is great for live scores – hope it helps! http://rio.tennis-live-scores.com/
Very good Rafa, let’s go to the next, you go it! Gogogogo!!!
Rafa now on at 12.45 now . Hopefully will be on catch up tomorrow
They are ‘getting ready’ so will be out soon but no stream for Court 2! Oh well…
I think they are on red button Fabio on one court , I’m guessing after Serena as his match is due at 12 and her match will finish first unless Rafa being a higher seed will have centre court ,don’t know how they work it.
The schedule shows he is on Court 2 straight after the Gabine doubles match.
Rafa due to plays doubles at 15 minutes past midnight
Yep – another late night for me – (if they show it on the BBC of course!)
Thanks Teresa, I’ll try.
RAFA fan forever
Has Rafa played his doubles match today or still waiting to get on court?
Still waiting for Gabine to finish her doubles: http://www.rio.itftennis.com/olympics/schedule
I’ve watched every of Rafas single- and doubles on the spanish TV- webplayer. I’m so grateful to see him again and happy because this is so very important for him and he is so happy to play in all three categories in Rio. On the other hand – and I feel sorry about this for Rafa and for myself and for writing this – I’m not able to fully enjoy. Mostly from second sets on he looks struggling to me like he has to force himself to hold on through this huge schedule he has decided to play. But his will to win it all, (no matter what) is so damn strong this days, you can feel it so much in every single point. I admire this, but It frightens me. I am worried, too about him playing again today. And from tomorrow on it will be even more…
Anyway, I know I better should not always have this devided feelings but I can’t help myself. I’m just praying he does not risk too much. Good, good luck Rafa, and please, please do not get more hurt.
Hi Fedallica, is there a specific Spanish channel that you found it on?
Hi Teresa!
The situation is a bit complicated… and I spent hours to get it. Finally I watch in on the rio player of spanish television: http://www.rtve.es/rio2016/directo/
but it is only possible to watch this from outside of Spain by using a specific VPN- client which switches your IP adress to spain: Tunnelbear or Hotspot Shield (and there are some more). They cost around 30 dollars for one year if you want to have limiteless connection.
Hope I could help you!
Thanks – it sounds complicated! So far I have been able to watch every match on the BBC i player so hopefully this will continue!
You’re welcome. It was complicated in my case because my computer is old and I could not run the progamm in the beginning & had to change some settings. Downloading the client by itself was very easy. (I now use hotspot shield). It’s worth it, but only f you have a little time to try out.
SOOOOO HAPPY RAFA WON!!! CONGRATULATIONS, RAFA!!! KEEP IT UP!!! VAMOS!!!!
I haven’t watched him play once yet!! Can’t find coverage in the UK..everyone but him..help
Have you tried BBC iplayer? I’m watching it again now – only in a more calm state!
I haven’t Teresa but I will now thanks..so frustrating having to trawl through everything
They haven’t made it easy but if you can find the stream for Centre Court, it should say ‘Featuring Andy Murray’. If you click into this – as Andy’s match finishes, Rafa’s starts (so just scroll along). However, I think Serena is now playing so the link might be broken.
TRY THIS LINK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p04259gv/olympic-tennis-centre-court-tuesday-featuring-andy-murray#group=p04375l6
I didn’t see the match, based on the stats and length of the match it looked like a tough one.
Well, I am glad he is through unto the next one. That smile is just AMAZING.
RAFA fan forever
I hope to see a replay or some highlights.
You’re a sweetheart Rafa 😍😘😃Congratulations and good luck forward 🍀❤️😊
VAMOS CHAMP 🎾💪👑
That smile is just priceless, saids it all! I was only able to watch the first set but sooooo happy for
Rafa and his quest. Best of luck in the next round. Vamos!!!
Great match. So happy for Rafa. Take rest and good luck for the next round <3
Can we post links here? This came out today and is massively interesting: http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/infosys-rafael-nadal-august-2016
SUPER c’est Rafa !
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤vamos rafa!!!!!!
42 unforced errors and 5 double faults but he got the job done. More pressure on Rafa with David, Gabine and Carla going out. Vamos Rafa – as the commentator said – this was good match practice!
I was curious on the stats so thanks for posting. I was especially concerned about his serves and DFs. I am worried that he has to play again today. The reporter asked him why he was playing so much and he said because this could be his last Olympics. He then added, I hope not.