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.
