Rio 2016: Doubles done with, Rafael Nadal rolls on

Men’s doubles gold medallists Rafael Nadal (right) and Marc Lopez of Spain pose on the podium. (Photo: AP

Rafael Nadal won his second Olympic Games gold medal and took a step closer to a third by reaching the Rio singles semi-final.

Spanish great Nadal and longtime friend Marc Lopez defeated Romania’s Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau 6-2, 3-6, 4-6 in the men’s doubles title match.

Nadal, the 2008 singles champion in Beijing, is just the fourth player to win gold in singles and doubles after Serena and Venus Williams and Chile’s Nicolas Massu. “It was an amazing experience to win with my best friend,” said Nadal after victory was secured courtesy of a wild Tecau smash, sparking an emotional celebration between the two Spaniards.

“We fought and gave everything. I didn’t play for two and a half months, no practice, just work in gym.”

Earlier, the 30-year-old defeated Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the singles quarter-finals.

The 14-time major winner faces Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina for a place in the final.

Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who who knocked out world number one Novak Djokovic in the first round, downed Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5, 7-6 (7/4).

Defending champion Andy Murray will face Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the other semi-final.

In the women’s singles, Monica Puig made the final where she will play Germany’s Angelique Kerber for the chance to win Puerto Rico’s first gold medal.