Rafael Nadal and buddy Marc Lopez are guaranteed the opportunity to fight for an Olympic medal as they have progressed to the last four of the men’s doubles with a victory over Austrians Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya.
The Spanish duo won 6-3, 6-1 in 75 minutes on Court 2.
After the match, Rafa said:
Very happy to be in the semifinals, but especially happy to be in the semifinals with one of my best friends.
We are enjoying the matches, we are enjoying a lot the weeks here in Rio. We are enjoying the Olympic experience, we are very happy about what’s happening. (via ITF)
Match stats:
Rafa and Marc, the reigning French Open doubles champion, next face Canadians Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil, who defeated Fabio Fognini and Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-1.
Rafael Nadal (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain prepare to serve during the men’s doubles quartefinal match between Lopez/Nadal of Spain and Marach/Peya of Austria 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) EFE/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez of Spain in action during a Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals match against Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya of Austria on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 8, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez of Spain in action during a Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals match against Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya of Austria on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 8, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain celebrate a point during the men’s doubles quartefinal match between Lopez/Nadal of Spain and Marach/Peya of Austria 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) EFE/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Rafael Nadal (R) and Marc Lopez of Spain celebrate their win at the end of the men’s doubles quartefinal match between Lopez/Nadal of Spain and Marach/Peya of Austria 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) EFE/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Rafael Nadal (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain celebrate a point during the men’s doubles quartefinal match between Lopez/Nadal of Spain and Marach/Peya of Austria 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) EFE/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Rafael Nadal (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain celebrate defeating Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya of Austria in a Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals match on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 8, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain celebrate defeating Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya of Austria in a Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals match on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 8, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain celebrate defeating Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya of Austria in a Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals match on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 8, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain celebrate defeating Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya of Austria in a Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals match on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 8, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain celebrate their win at the end of the men’s doubles quartefinal match between Lopez/Nadal of Spain and Marach/Peya of Austria 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) EFE/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Rafael Nadal (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain celebrate defeating Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya of Austria in a Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals match on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 8, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain celebrate defeating Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya of Austria in a Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals match on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 8, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Rafael Nadal (L) and Marc Lopez of Spain celebrate defeating Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya of Austria in a Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals match on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 8, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Vamos Rafa & Marc!
Good luck today Rafa, dig deep , we know you can do it 🇪🇸😘
Well done Rafa and Marc you are playing brilliantly.
Keep up the great team work.
Love and prayers to both of you,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Oh well wishful thinking on my part that both Rafa’s matches would be finished before midnight ,I’m guessing we are looking at the doubles being played yet again in the early hours of Thursday . Good job he’s not called Cinderella or we would all be in trouble
As much as i admire Rafa for his patriotism, i really think he should quit the mixed doubles and only focus on single and doubles.
We all remember how Rafa thrashed opponents at the beginning of clay court season. But when he was injured, he still continued to compete in Rome (which i think that is his medical team’s fault) and look what what happened back then. He eventually can’t last in the most important event of the clay court season-the French Open.
Furthermore, his wrist is not fully recovered yet. Rafa is not a machine and he should be fully aware of that. If he would be re-injured, then no medal for Rafa and no medal for SPAIN!
That would be great to see him in doubles when he retires but what I’m hoping for eventually is that he will become a coach to one of his cousins (uncle Tony’s children ) what a turn around that would be
Exactly! Just like Martina Hingis. And we can see our legend playing for a longer time.
Guys, I just saw the second set of the doubles match from last night. It was great……RAFA and Marc really are in sync with each other. I have seen RAFA play doubles before and SOMETIMES he likes to get to ALL the balls (overachiever) in him. Last night, he let Marc just play and it was beautiful.
I read another comment maybe on another post about IF we would see the same with Garbine for the mixed doubles. We may NOT, I may be wrong, don’t bash me, please.😰
I know Garbine is super excited to play with RAFA and the same for him but IS THE MAGIC THERE??????
Another thought, I am on a positive rant here. Maybe when RAFA is not as competitive in the future in singles he can try doubles with Marc and they can become the NEW no#1. It would be easier on his body with injuries, age etc and he would still be able to compete with one of his best friends on tour and WE WOULD SEE HIM ALOT LONGER.
RAFA fan forever
It’s probably a fantasy. But I’d love to see Roger and Rafa play doubles when they decide to retire from the singles competition. Their contrasting styles and respect for each other will make them a great team, and what would that give to the sport and the millions of fans worldwide!
Oh, that is the best fantasy I’ve ever read! *dream*! Oh dear, this would be awesome.
Great idea… That way Rafa could continue padding his already historical résumé… I don’t know about the wrist but it would be less stress on his knees for sure… Brilliant idea!
It would also help to rise popularity of doubles to a much higher level… but I’d prefere this to happen in two or three years ;). Until then I prefer to watch them both play healthy in the singles.
I thought they both played great, but the Austrians did not play well. Today will be much tougher against the Canadians. The weather is bad today so the schedule will be affected. I really hope they get a medal!
Hi Kathleen , I go on BBC1 on TV and then press to go on red button don’t know if this is what called BBC iPlayer ,( im with virgin media) press on rio2016 choose events , then you have a choice of catch up. Coming up or live don’t know if this helps . I guess it different with each network
Félicitations à cette équipe géniale ! Bravos à rafa et marc👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Teresa your a better person than me I’m afraid I gave in but watched it this morning on catch up . Rafa’s due on court today at 16.30 and later at 19.30. we know these times aren’t realistic but I hoping with less matches to be played now it will be this side of midnight. Great to see that although both Gabine and Carla are out of the singles they are still playing well together in the doubles . Come on Spain🇪🇸😘. Andy for silver this year
Just wondering, how do you access it on catch up?
I stayed up until early hours again after the BBC live streamed the match after the first game! Wow was it worth it! Short, sharp and sweet. Marc bounces around like a monkey. Rafa got a big cheer for a brilliant interception. I’ve got a complete doubles hangover!
Well done Rafa and Marc just keep playing the way you are both doing and who knows !!!!!! just one match at a time so so hoping you can win a medal
Vamos !!!!!!
Well Done Rafa and Marc on to the GOLD I hope Vamos Rafa and Marc
Congrats Rafa and Marc! Good luck for the next round. Vamos!
Rafa is playing Fantastically , still in the doubles when the likes of Novak and Andy are long gone. I am so happy it’s going so well , and if it is Rafa’s last Olympics ( I so hope not ) it couldn’t be going any better . Good news Rafa’s doubles match is on catch up
What is catch up???
RAFA fan forever