Third seed Rafael Nadal moved to within one win of an Olympic medal shot after battling past Gilles Simon to reach the men’s singles quarter-finals. He was made to fight by his French opponent but he eventually ran out a 7-6(5), 6-3 victor in Rio de Janeiro. An emotional celebration after match point once again showed just how much this Olympics means to our champ.
After the match, Rafa said:
Always the winner of the first set gives you confidence. I started strong in the second—that was the difference. Gilles is a great player. Sometimes you don’t know whether to hit strong or less power to hit the rhythm. I think I did (that well).
The passion for what I am doing, the passion for the sport and the motivation to keep doing what I really like (is key). I like to compete in the world of tennis and I think we’re very lucky people to live the tennis tour and life we have. (via Tennis Now)
Rafa will face tomorrow either Brazil’s unseeded Thomaz Bellucci or Belgium’s 8th-seeded David Goffin.
Our champ will double up with Marc Lopez to face Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil on Court 3 later in the men’s doubles semifinals, before teaming with Garbine Muguruza against Lucie Hradecka and Radek Stepanek in the mixed after that.
Rafa on playing doubles with Marc:
Next match for me is very important. We play for the chance to win a medal with one of my best friends so we gonna try our best. (via Tennis Now)
VAMOS RAFA!
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Third Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 11/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain lines up his water bottles during his match against Gilles Simon (FRA) of France. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during the men’s singles third round match against Gilles Simon of France on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns to France’s Gilles Simon during the men’s tennis competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Third Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 11/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain serves during a warm up session before his match against Gilles Simon (FRA) of France. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal reacciona ante el tenista Gilles Simon de Francia hoy, jueves 11 de agosto de 2016, en el Centro Olímpico de Tenis en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Third Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 11/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain in action against Gilles Simon (FRA) of France. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point during the men’s singles third round match against Gilles Simon of France on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 10, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after winning a point against France’s Gilles Simon during the men’s tennis competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Third Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 11/08/2016. Fans of Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain react near him after he won his match against Gilles Simon (FRA) of France. REUTERS/Toby Melville TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Third Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 11/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain reacts during his match against Gilles Simon (FRA) of France. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Third Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 11/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain celebrates after winning match against Gilles Simon (FRA) of France. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Third Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 11/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain celebrates after winning match against Gilles Simon (FRA) of France. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Third Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 11/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain celebrates after winning match against Gilles Simon (FRA) of France. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his game against Gilles Simon of France during their men’s singles third round match of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games tennis tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 11 August 2016. (España, Brasil, Tenis, Francia) EFE/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Preliminary – Men’s Singles Third Round – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 11/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain celebrates after winning match against Gilles Simon (FRA) of France. REUTERS/Toby Melville FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal celebra su victoria ante el tenista Gilles Simon de Francia hoy, jueves 11 de agosto de 2016, en el Centro Olímpico de Tenis en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his game against Gilles Simon of France during their men’s singles third round match of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games tennis tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 11 August 2016. (España, Brasil, Tenis, Francia) EFE/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
El tenista español Rafael Nadal firma pelotas que regala a los asistentes luego de vencer al tenista Gilles Simon de Francia hoy, jueves 11 de agosto de 2016, en el Centro Olímpico de Tenis en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 en Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/FERNANDO BIZERRA JR
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LIKE THAT COMMENT MARIA. JUST KEEP PLAYING THE WAY YOU ARE GOD BLESS
AND THANKYOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL TENNIS VAMOSSXXXX
Rafa and Marc are playing sooooooooooo well and what a team you are?
All the best for next games.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneySSAustraliaXX
Well done Rafa, good luck for the next round.
Wishing all the best for Rafa in winning the GOLD for his country in both Singles and Men’s Doubles. It is too bad he and Garbine won’t be contesting the Mixed Doubles, but Vamos for the other 2. Rafa Gold is waiting for you yahoo!!!!!!!!!
Rafael is fighting like the champion he is despite not being in his best form. Congratulations and fight on; you look as though you are enjoying the competition, and you deserve every accolade!!🇪🇸😎💪💃🏻🏆🍀❤️
Vamos! So happy for you <3
I thought Rafa played even better in the doubles. He was clutch in the key moments and the TBs. He had too many UFEs in his first set against Simon, but was sharper in the second set. I am thrilled that they will play for gold in doubles. His next single against Belucci will be incredible. Vamos Rafa!
I saw the game, he was amazing! Rafa you can do it, the Gold is waiting! Gogogo!
Em 11 de ago de 2016 1:19 PM, “Rafael Nadal Fans” escreveu:
> Rafael Nadal Fans posted: “Third seed Rafael Nadal moved to within one win > of an Olympic medal shot after battling past Gilles Simon to reach the > men’s singles quarter-finals. He was made to fight by his French opponent > but he eventually ran out a 7-6(5), 6-3 victor in Rio de Janei” >
Have I got this right, is Rafa the only one left in the singles and doubles? If yes then wow , and that’s with a wrist injury . Rafa you truly are one in a million
Brilliant Rafa and Marc have done it again .They make the perfect couple( he he)
Carla and Gabine have been knocked out. It all rests at your door now Rafa and you can do it . You have played well even Andy struggled and only just managed to beat Fabio
Thursday, August 11th, 2016….Canada – What a day of tennis! Rafa, congratulations, through
with your partner, Marc to the Gold/Silver event of men’s doubles! And also through in the men’s singles! I was a bit on edge watching Andy against Fabio earlier – Fabio is a very good player and also very dangerous! At the moment, my return hero, Juan Martin is playing a Japanese player, Daniel Toro. First set /4-4. We shall see result later (JMDP, I cross fingers)! THANKS GUYS FOR GIVING YOUR FANS AN EXCELLENT DAY OF TENNIS!
Rafa’s doubles match isn’t being shown in the UK but Rafa and Marc are 1 set and 1 game up
Merveilleux rafa 👍👍👍👍👍de tout coeur avec lui pour les prochains matchs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
! Vamos Rafa!
Una abuela de Finlandia/Marruecos
I Believe in You!
Beau match car les conditions météo étaient difficiles, Rafa est fatigué ça se voit sur son visage Vamos Rafa on est tous avec toi
Rafa despite the win is not playing well … and too many unforced errors …I hope he will be much better next game ….to have a chance for a medal ..!
Considering that this is the first tournament Rafa has played in more than two months, and his wrist is not 100%, I’d say he is playing at a very good level.
Quite an incredible effort from Rafa considering all he has been through #Champ#
Keep killin ’em Rafa….. WOW
And another one bites the dust . Go Rafa!😘🇪🇸