The Rio de Janeiro semifinal lineup consists of three Grand Slam champions (the other is a slam runner-up), two singles gold medalists, and three of the top four seeds. Saturday will pit Andy Murray against Kei Nishikori before Rafael Nadal faces Juan Martin Del Potro.
Juan Martin Del Potro vs. (3) Rafael Nadal
Nadal and Del Potro will be squaring off for the 13th time in their careers when they battle for a spot in the gold-medal match at the Rio Olympics on Saturday. Although Nadal leads the head-to-head series 8-4, they have split their eight most recent encounters with four wins apiece. They are also an even 4-4 lifetime on hard courts. Mainly because of Del Potro’s recurring wrist issues, these two veterans have faced each other only twice since 2011 and not a single time since 2013. In a pair of meetings three years ago, Nadal prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Indian Wells final before Del Potro got the job done 6-2, 6-4 in Shanghai.
It has already been an emotional week in Rio de Janeiro for both men. Del Potro had to go up against world No. 1 Novak Djokovic right off the bat, but the 27-year-old Argentine powered his way to a stunning 7-6(4), 7-6(2) upset and then parlayed that into wins over Joao Sousa, Taro Daniel, and Roberto Bautista Agut. Nadal is a perfect 9-0 overall–singles and doubles combined–in Rio and he captured doubles gold with Marc Lopez in a back-and-forth showdown against Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau that lasted two and a half hours on Friday night. The fifth-ranked Spaniard also needed three sets in his singles quarterfinal, which he won 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 at the expense of Thomaz Bellucci. Nadal preceded that victory by defeating Federico Delbonis, Andreas Seppi, and Gilles Simon all in straight sets. Both physically and emotionally, the No. 3 seed may be running on something close to empty when he goes up against Del Potro. Unless Nadal takes an offensive approach to this match right from the start, he will be on the defensive–and perhaps defenseless–amidst an onslaught of Del Potro forehands.
Pick: Del Potro in 2
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(4) Kei Nishikori vs. (2) Andy Murray
Nobody endured tougher matches on Friday than Murray and Nishikori. Murray trailed by a break in the final set but recovered to beat Steve Johnson 6-0, 4-6, 7-6(2). Nishikori found himself one point from defeat on three occasions, but he erased a 6-3 deficit in a decisive tiebreaker and won the last five points of the match to stun Gael Monfils 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(6). The result is an eighth career contest between two of the top seven players in the world. Murray is leading the head-to-head series 6-1, including 5-1 on hard courts (4-0 outdoors). Their most recent meeting produced one of the best matches of the 2016 campaign to date, with Murray triumphing 7-5, 7-6(6), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 in a first-round Davis Cup rubber on the indoor hard courts of Great Britain.
The second-ranked Scot is already an Olympic gold medalist, having assumed the top spot on the podium four years ago in London. He has relied on that experience already in Rio, with extremely difficult victories over Johnson and Fabio Fognini to go along with more routine defeats of Viktor Troicki and Juan Monaco. Nishikori preceded his escape against Monfils by beating Albert Ramos-Vinolas, John Millman, and Andrej Martin. It has to be said that the Japanese world No. 7 got flat-out lucky against Monfils (who double-faulted on match point at 6-5 in the third-set ‘breaker); he may not be so fortunate with a defending Olympic champion on the other side of the net.
Pick: Murray in 3
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Murray and…..sorry I cannot be objective about the other match.
I cannot pick against Rafa. I will say that I don’t know how much he will have left for tomorrow’s match. Delpo has had two three setters, but Rafa has been in the court in more overall matches this week. Two three set matches in one day is tough.
I know that Rafa will give it all he’s got.
I think Murray will get the win over Nishi in 3 sets.
And if continuous tough matches in Rio isn’t bad enough for all four semi-finalists, the Cinci draw is out and play is starting in earnest today. Cinci draws look tough with fresh legs Raonic, Stan etc. up against the worn-out returning Olympic Rio foursome.
Rafa should definitely withdraw from Cincy in my opinion. Would love to see him get more match practice but he needs to take good rest.
I agree. OI eghausted Rafa physically but also emotionally…the effort he is making is huge and worth every admiration! Great champion and true hero!
Rafa has good advisors in his team.
I know. In my own selfish way I would still love to ser Rafa playing Cincy..,?
See not ser ?
If Rafa decides to play Cincy, then hopefully it means his wrist is holding up well.
I cannot see Rafa playing in Cincy so close to the Olympics.
I really don’t want him to push it after playing so much in a short period of time at the Olympics. It’s too much.
I will be cheering Rafa in his match with Delpo. I still think that he can do it if he’s not too tired. The will is there always.
Rafa will know what he has to do against Delpo. His cc backhand has been so effective in his matches and I expect him to continue to hit that shot well. Rafa will know that he must be aggressive against Delpo. He will need to get good court positioning on the baseline. Also he will have to serve well. I hope that Rafa continues to go for his ROS aggressively.
No matter what, Rafa will do his best.
Kei and nadal in three. Both could go other way though. Two great SF matchups! Can’t wait.
Rafa facing tough early rounds in Cincy: Querrey, Kyrgios… ?
Don’t know how much Rafa has left in him but we all agree Rafa is adrenaline player..Delpo also played pretty long matches and his physical fitness has always been an issue…
Agressive play is definitely what Rafa needs which he lacked in the first set yesterday…Delpo’s FH is very dangerous feature but Rafa may have some good response to it with his top spins and mixing with some net play. Rafa should avoid camping behind the baseline. And I do hope Rafa to rely on his service better than yesterday…
I will go with Rafa in three and Andy in two (Nishi’s game will fall apart most likely)
Vamos Rafa!
Knish vs Mandy? It’s the Olympics. It’s…different. Any given day I’d pick Murray. Today? Who knows? It’s the Olympics. Gonna say Kei in 3, but I’m terrible at picking.
Rafa vs Delpo. Rafa’s got nothing left but heart. In Rafa’s case that’s still a lot as he showed yesterday. But Delpo’s got heart too, and he’s hungry. Really, really, really hungry. And he’ll have the crowd with him. I never pick on Rafa’s matches though. Can’t be objective. Vamos Rafa!
Good take Ramara.
But I’ll take Muzza in this one.
Not picking the other semi. Pulling for Rafa but if someone is gonna beat him, no nicer guy than Delpo and I’ll be cheering for the winner to take gold.
Vamos Rafa!
It’s interesting how we are not picking for Rafa’s match. But we will be with him all the way!
I don’t know that anyone could have expected Delpo to make a run at the olympics. I didn’t think he would beat Novak, but he did and has backed it up. It’s been really nice to see Delpo have this great run.
After all that Delpo has been through, it has been so nice to see him have success at the Olympics.
Keep your mind focused, stay confident, be strong and show your warrior spirit, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cpv_BdAXgAAAMA7.jpg
Rafa on practice court today (photo posted by his doctor):
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Nadal tight from the start.
Broken already. Took 30-35 seconds between points.
Slow start.
0-2.
Rafa couldn’t get a ball back in play.
Keep updating hawkeye..20 mins till I reach home
2-1
Rafa settles down and holds to love with an emphatic “C’mon!”
Wish he didn’t start slow so often.
Brother wins his first return point on the second survey for lot 15
So much for voice recognition
4 great players, that’s for sure…and all 4 playing great tennis. I like JDP in straight and Murray in 3.
The crowd behind Rafa! Rafa is slowly picking up the pace…Delpo serving well as expected..,Delpo’s FH is just amazing..,
Delpo holds easy for 31 lead
Delpo serving very well winning 100% on first serve.
Just got home and tuned in. Delpo already up a break!
Come on Rafa!