Rafael Nadal (Photo : Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal will have a chance to inch closer for a second Gold Medal when he faces Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci in the quarterfinal round of men's singles tennis at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Nadal did double duties on Thursday, powering through France's Gilles Simon in the third round of the singles category 7-6(5) 6-3, while clinching an Olympic Medal in the doubles category after he and Marc Lopez defeated Canadian duo Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil 7-6(1) 7-6(4).
Nadal, who, along with Garbine Muguruza, had to withdraw from the mixed doubles competition due to hectic schedule, was happy for his victory over Simon, but admitted their emotional triumph at the doubles is the "most important match of my life on the worst possible court."
"I live this moment with more emotion because this year I was playing well and I was forced to withdraw from Roland Garros, and then alongside me there is Marc, one of my best friends. All this makes everything more special," Nadal said, reports Tennis World.
Nadal, who won the singles Gold Medal eight years ago, has yet to show any lingering effect of a left wrist injury that kept him on the sidelines for more than two months. However, against a pro-Bellucci crowd, the 14-time Grand Slam winner will have to hope for another remarkable performance to advance into the last-four stage.
Nadal has won all five of his career singles head-to-head matchups against Bellucci and has never dropped a single set against the 28-year-old Brazilian. But Bellucci is also having his own impressive run at the Rio Olympics as he equals Brazil's tennis legend Gustavo Kuerten's best Olympic campaign after defeating David Goffin 7-6 6-4.
"It's going to be a very tough match," Bellucci said. "Rafa, of course, is the favourite. He's a great player and has been performing great at the Olympic Games. He's won three tough matches with some ease."
"I'm also having a good tournament, playing very well. The crowd is supporting me a lot, so it's going to be a very special match and I hope it is going to be a great one."
The winner between Nadal and Bellucci could face either Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut or Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who had one of the best wins of his career after an upset over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
Agut defeated Paolo Lorenzi of Italy 6-4 7-6(4), while del Potro continued his winning ways after overcoming Japanese Taro Daniel 6-7(4) 6-2 6-1.
Live streaming info and score updates
Watch 2016 Rio Olympics tennis men's singles: Rafael Nadal vs Thomaz Bellucci live via NBC. Live score updates will be available during game days at ATP World Tour's official website.
