Nadal dominates in comeback, overshadowed by Del Potro upset of Djokovic

Leave it to Novak Djokovic to once again steal Rafael Nadal’s thunder. It just wasn’t in the way anyone could have expected.

Shortly after Nadal cruised through his first match in more than two months, Djokovic bowed out of the Rio Olympics in stunning fashion with a 7-6(4), 7-6(2) loss to Juan Martin Del Potro on Sunday night. The first-round stunner saw Del Potro bludgeon forehand winners from all over the court on the way to a momentous win in two hours and 27 minutes.

“It’s really difficult to talk now,” the 2012 bronze medalist said in an on-court interview. “I cannot believe this moment for me. I’ve been trying to come back to tennis after the last three surgeries on my wrist. I’m playing at a good level; I beat the No. 1 of the world.It’s amazing for me. I love the sport; I love the crowd. It was amazing.”

Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCgiKLBMRPk

Thus the day’s other big story was put on the back burner. Nadal was finally back on the court after last playing in round two of the French Open, after which he withdrew because of a wrist injury and missed Wimbledon. But the 2008 Beijing gold medalist wasted no time shifting into high gear, as he hammered Federico Delbonis 6-2, 6-1.

“I’m very happy,” Nadal said in an interview with NBC. “It’s important for me to play well again and it was an unbelievable start. I played well mentally with strong concentration all match.”

Next up for the Spaniard is Andreas Seppi, while Del Potro will go up against Joao Sousa in the second round.

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