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)
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Quarterfinal – Men’s Singles Quarterfinals – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 12/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain receives medical attention during his match against Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) of Brazil. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal sirve ante el brasileño Thomaz Bellucci hoy, viernes 12 de agosto de 2016, durante los cuartos de final de las competencias de tenis que se disputan en el Centro Olímpico de Tenis en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016, Río de Janeiro. Nadal ganó (2-6, 6-4 y 6-2) y clasificó para la lucha por las medallas en el cuadro individual masculino de Río 2016. EFE / Fernando Maia
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return to Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil during their Rio 2016 Olympic Games Men’s Singles match at the Olympic Tennis Centre in the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 12 August 2016. (España, Brasil, Tenis) EFE/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates during the match against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil in the Men’s Singles Quarterfinal on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Aug. 11, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images South America)
El tenista español Rafael Nadal celebra tras vencer al brasileño Thomaz Bellucci hoy, viernes 12 de agosto de 2016, durante los cuartos de final de las competencias de tenis que se disputan en el Centro Olímpico de Tenis en el marco de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016, Río de Janeiro. EFE / Fernando Maia
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Quarterfinal – Men’s Singles Quarterfinals – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 12/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain celebrates after winning his match against Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) of Brazil. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Quarterfinal – Men’s Singles Quarterfinals – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 12/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain celebrates after winning his match against Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) of Brazil. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Quarterfinal – Men’s Singles Quarterfinals – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 12/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain celebrates after winning his match against Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) of Brazil. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
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).
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That comment was meant to show that tennis is so unpredictable, not that an error was made. We all make errors. I have been worried sick since Rafa announced he was definitely playing Rio AND in three competitions. I just hope he is well and does not suffer any physical consequences.
RAFA ROCKS
You were,you are and will always be ,simply amazing
Just a thrilling match which was much closer than the final score. Rafa was really annoyed after the first set, which is something you rarely see. I was really worried after the first set, but I should have had more confidence in our hero. No, it was not Rafa at his best, but it was still magnificent.
No to muslims? Should u be allowed to post anything with that name? I find it quite offensive despite u being a rafa fan. Is this site not monitored for this kind of stuff?
What are you referring to?
RAFA ROCKS
Ah…just saw that name after asking you what you were referring to. I’m surprised that’s allowed. Never saw that name before today. Pretty stupid.
All fabulous comments –very astute and thoughtful. Enjoyed reading.
Congrats Nadal . Love you mucho.👍
All these days I was sure he will have to play Andy in SF. (I need to get some sleep because the time difference is killing me!)
Sorry for my mistake! 🙂
No need to apologize. Thanks for all your hard work.
Now it’s DelPotro…
Do you really think RNF has a crystal ball….those were only “possible” projections. Remember that Djokovic was eliminated in ROUND ONE. (Had to use caps…made me feel good.) LOL
Rafa will play Del Potro in SF. Not Murray.
Just wanted to clear that.
Rafa has to play the winner of the other semi final first, not Murray.
So I’m a coward and retreated to a quiet room to read when Rafa was struggling. Yet again, I missed the fight and to watch him win. If only I had an once of his warrior genes. Instead of enjoying his match point – I get a call from my sister to tell me he won – shame on me!
I’m Teresa too, and I can’t bear to watch when Rafa is having problems. Must be something to do with the name 😄
YES 👍👏 A million congrats to you dear Rafa 😍😊
Another amazing win 🎾💪😅
All the best of luck at your next match 🍀 You can do it champ 😘
VAMOS RAFA ❤️U
Vamoooossss! So happy for Rafa <3 <3
By the way: Murray in sf? Here u said Murray in final https://rafaelnadalfans.com/2016/08/04/rio-olympics-tennis-draw-nadal-djokovic-murray/
Draw with results impossible to find online.
Rafa is doing history, Vamos!!!!!!!!!!!
Not sure if it is just the field so far, or if it is the doubles… but seems like Rafa is getting to the net much more than he usually does helping him finish off points. He also seems to be more aggressive than usual. Very very happy if he can continue that against the bigger guns starting with JMDP next.
I am not Spanish, but what he is doing for his country makes me feel so damn proud. I can imagine how happy and proud his countrymen and women would be. He is truly a gem.
Shout out to Andy as well (though i dont like his on-court behavior). He seems to really give it all for the UK especially with all the crap that was flung his way by the British press before the first Wimbledon title. Maybe that is why Rafa is close to Andy.
Anyway, cant wait to see Rafa win gold in doubles. It seems to mean so much to him. I initially felt he should not risk his wrist in Olympics and should save himself for the Open and beyond. But seeing how happy he is and the effort he is putting in, just shows how much he loves his country. True role model and the real GOAT. Looking at him so happy after the tough couple of years, makes me so happy. Vamos!!
Rafa will not play Andy yet. They are on opposite sides of the draw.
So happy for Rafa!!!!!
Vamos Rafa! Just for all the commentators who keep mentioning Olympic metal is within reach. Please…it is about gold. Silver and bronze are nothing. Period. It’s gold what matters only.
Nonsense jaybeer – they all matter a great deal! We see everyday in the Olympics just how hard fought all the positions are!
jaybeer, Bronze is okay. Do you have one?
1st round out is also ok then simpleton? Did u ever qualify? What a sadness.
VRAIMENT UNIQUE RAFA BRAVO BRAVO………..