Rio Olympics 2016: Rafael Nadal loses to Del Potro in semi-finals 7-5, 4-6, 6-7

Rafa Nadal’s joy turned quickly into sorrow as the 2008 Olympics Gold medalist was knocked out by Juan Martin Del Potro after a marathon 3 hour match. The Spaniard won the men’s doubles Gold medal last night with Marc Lopez.

But tonight he couldn’t go a step further and make the singles finals as well. The Spaniard started strongly and took the first set 7-5. But Del Potro fought back in the second and broke the Spaniard to level it up taking the second set 6-4.

Neither player was giving in during the 3^rd set and it had to be decided on a tie-break. Nadal fought valiantly in the decider but in the end could not overcome the power play of Del Potro eventually losing the tie-break.

It comes as a slight surprise with many expecting the Spaniard to reach the finals of the men’s singles event but now it will be Del Potro who will play for the Men’s gold in the final. This is the Argentine’s second big scalp of the tournament after knocking out Novak Djokovic in the very first round.

Del Potro will play Great Britain’s Any Murray for a chance to win Gold in Tennis at the Olympics

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