Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez win Rio 2016 men's doubles tennis title for Spain
Spanish pair beat Romanians Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau by two sets to one
An emotional Lopez and Nadal celebrate their doubles title at the Olympic Tennis Centre (Photo: Getty Images/Mark Kolbe)
To a standing ovation from the crowd, Rafael Nadal took his place alongside Marc Lopez at the top of the Rio 2016 podium as Olympic champion in the men's doubles on Friday night (12 August), taking Spain's third gold so far at the Games.
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Nadal won the singles title at Beijing 2008, a feat he may yet repeat in Rio, should he first overcome Juan Martin del Potro in tomorrow's semi-final. For now, he stands with Chile's Nicolas Massu as the only man to have won Olympic gold in both events.
This evening's final was a battle from start to finish. After two hours and 26 minutes, Nadal and Lopez finally overcame Mergea and Tecau 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
"I play with passion, with emotion and it’s a very special event; a unique event for everybody," Nadal said after the match.
Spaniard powers past Bellucci to reach singles final
Earlier in the day, Nadal knocked Brazilian no.1 Thomaz Bellucci out of the singles tournament 2-6, 6-2, 6-2, setting up tomorrow's semi-final against big-serving Argentinian Del Potro.
When asked about the crowd's support for Bellucci, Nadal responded graciously, saying: "I feel the crowd with me almost all the time, but normally when I play against a local player it’s a different story. I enjoyed it too. Well done for Thomaz and well done for the crowd."
Defending champion Andy Murray will take on Japan's Kei Nishikori in the other semi-final.
