TVC E. Rafael Nadal’s hopes for a second Olympic singles gold medal were almost crushed in the quarterfinal against Brazil’s unseeded Thomaz Bellucci. The medal favorite edged into the semifinals after taking three sets to win. A tired Nadal saw the first set blow past him, with Bellucci winning 6-2. Nadal found his focus and established a wide lead in the second, but Bellucci battled back; the Spaniard took that set 6-4. In the third, Nadal quickly zoomed past his opponent for a 4-1 lead. Once again, Bellucci was able to regain some ground, but the Spaniard won the set.
