RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Naglaho ang pangarap ni Rafael Nadal na makasungkit ng double gold medal sa Rio Games nang gapiin ni Juan Martin del Potro ng Argentina sa makapigil-hiningang semifinal sa men’s single tennis competition.
Nakuha ni Del Potro, bronze medalist sa 2012 London Games, ang 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (5) panalo kontra kay Nadal, ang 2008 Beijing Games champion.
Nitong Sabado, nakuha ni Nadal ang gintong medalya sa men’s double event.
“Both of us,played a very high level,” pahayag ni Nadal.
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Gamit ang matibay na forehand shots na nagpanalo sa kanya kontra No.1 Novak Djokovic sa first round, inaasahan ng 2009 US Open champion na magamit din ito sa kanyang pagtatangkang makuha ang gintong medalya kontra defending champion Andy Murray.
“It means something very, very big in my career. It would be the same as the US Open. Maybe even better,” pahayag ni del Potro.
“I didn’t expect to reach the final, beating Djokovic and Rafa,” aniya.
“But I did, and I get a medal, and it’s amazing for me.”
Ang No. 2-seeded na si Murray ang defending champion at silver medalist sa mixed doubles sa 2012 London Games.
“He’s the favorite for sure. Hopefully I can run like I did today,” aniya.
Nakuha ni Murray ang final slots nang biguin si Kei Nishikori ng Japan 6-1, 6-4.
