Rio de Janeiro – Juan Martin del Potro will take on Andy Murray in the gold medal match at the Olympic Tennis Event on Sunday after defeating Rafael Nadal in a three-set thriller.
Del Potro’s dream run in Rio de Janeiro had already taken in the scalp of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the opening round, but the Argentine stepped it up again on Saturday, defeating 2008 Beijing gold medallist Nadal 57 64 76(5) amidst a raucous Davis Cup-style atmosphere on Centre Court.
“I am living – like a dream,” said Del Potro. “It could be better than [winning the 2009] US Open tournament. My emotions are so high after every match. The crowds make me cry in every match and I would like to say ‘thank you’ to them.”
In a gripping semifinal, Del Potro rallied back from a set down and served for the match at 5-4 in the decider, only for Nadal to break him to love.
Nadal dropped to 0-40 on his own serve in the next game but dug his way out again. Momentum seemed to be back with the Spaniard, but Del Potro went into attack-mode on his ferocious forehand in the decisive tiebreak and fell flat on his back after sealing a memorable victory.
“It was tough to play Rafa,” admitted Del Potro, after kissing the Rio 2016 logo and being mobbed by fans courtside. “You never know when you are going to win.
“He fights all the time, he never gives up like in the third set when I serve at 5-4. In the end, with the tiebreak, I play so aggressively with my forehand, looking for the winners and I did great at the end.”
Nadal, already a doubles gold medallist in Rio, refused to be despondent in defeat.
“It was a good match, good level of tennis and all I can say is congratulations to Del Potro,” said the world No. 5. “I try my best. I give my best till the last ball but that’s like this.
“I am very satisfied with what I did the whole week. Tomorrow is another day and I going to try to be ready for it.”
Nadal will play Kei Nishikori in tomorrow’s bronze medal match after the Japanese player was brushed aside by Murray in the earlier semifinal.
Murray, the world No 2, put in a strong performance on Centre Court, particularly on his own serve, to book his place in a second straight gold medal encounter.
The Brit is now not only bidding to become the first player to win two gold medals in either men’s or women’s singles but he is also looking to become the first person to successfully defend a gold medal, having also won the top prize four years ago in London.
“I played really well and I served well, by far the best this week,” said Murray. “That last service game I think was the only one that went to deuce on my serve, maybe two in the match, but I didn’t give him any opportunities on my serve and I was very aggressive when I was returning, so yeah, it was a good performance.
“It would mean a lot [to win gold again], it’s obviously not an easy thing to do, that’s why it’s not been done before, but I will go out there and give it my best effort. I’m happy that I’m guaranteed a medal after today but the goal is to win a gold medal so I will give it my best effort tomorrow to win another one.”
Murray leads del Potro 5-2 in their previous match-ups but certainly won’t underestimate the Argentine when they meet on Centre Court.
“Juan Martin has played great this event,” said Murray. “I think he obviously gained a lot of confidence from his win against Novak, and he won against Wawrinka at Wimbledon, so he’s starting to get back to a level he can play at after his wrist problems and it’s good, good for him.”
In Murray’s favour – no man has beaten the Top 3 seeds to win an Olympic title, though two men have defeated the Top 2 seeds en route to Olympic gold – Miloslav Mecir (1988) and Murray (2012).
– ANA