Rafael Nadal is within touching distance of another Olympic singles medal after beating Thomaz Bellucci to make the semi-finals in Rio de Janeiro.
After losing the first set (by committing 10 unforced errors and generating only two winners), Rafa broke serve in game four of the second set and never looked back, winning 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Center Court. He became the eighth player in the Open Era to register at least 800 career singles match wins.
After the match, Rafa said:
I don’t even know how things are going so well because I didn’t do any preparation for the tournament. (via AP)
In Latin America the people are very passionate so that’s something very, very special to be in the middle of the court like this. (via Tennis Now)
Rafa will face Juan Martin del Potro (not Andy Murray as I thought the last four days) for a place in the gold medal match.
Rafa and Marc Lopez are scheduled to play in the men’s doubles final later today (not before 7PM local time, midnight CET, 11PM BST, 6PM EDT).
Rafa, you are a two-time Olympian champion. Get ready for tomorrow’s battle against Kei. Sorry for you that the singles’ gold proved elusive but you still have a chance for another medal. I know your family is so very proud of you. Fight on!
RAFA THE OLYMPIAN
Il est bien là notre grand champion vive rafa 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Rafa and Marc what a proud duo you are for your country, and making your family and country and all the fans so proud of you both.
ALl the best Rafa for your Portro game,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
It is very annoying that here in Aus, we don,t get to see much Tennis , at the Oloympics they seem to concentrate on other sports that only feature Australians, I have been lucky to see Rafa play an win against Gilles Simon and that is all and I had to stay up till, 1.30am to see that It,s not fair .,Having said that it,s great to see Rafa at least get a medal but really hoping he can get Gold Vamos Rafa
Hi Joan in Australia, we also have the same grumble, only the very last 8 matches have been shown and the other sports get so much more coverage, we have 12 channels on olympics and this is the situation. Sad but grateful for the few we have seen
Rafa+Marc=GOLD
CONGRATULATIONS CHAMPS!!
RAFA & MARC ROCK RIO
RAFA, Tecau and Mergea are not going down easily so get your game faces on (snarls and scowls) and ramp up the pressure. Tomorrow you’ve got to play DelPo who beat your nemesis in the first round. Get cracking!
RAFA RIO MEDALIST
Congrats-great to see that fighting spirit. So much joy evident in your attitude and
body language. Fight on and enjoy every golden moment!😎🇪🇸👊💪👏❤️💃🏻