Spain’s Nadal, Lopez win gold in men’s doubles

TIL Desk Sports/ Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez of Spain won the Olympic men’s doubles tennis title on Friday, beating Romania’s Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau to secure their country’s third gold medal of the Rio Games. Nadal and Lopez defeated the Romanians 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 while American duo Steve Johnson and Jack Sock beat Canada’s Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil 6-2, 6-4 to clinch bronze.

The doubles win sets up Nadal for a potential golden double in the men’s events at the Rio Games as he is still alive in the singles draw. Nadal, who won singles gold in Beijing eight years ago and missed the 2012 London Games due to a knee injury, will play Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Nadal said his partner was a close friend even though they had little experience of playing together and were tested by a experienced Romanian pair. “It is a privilege to be able to share this moment with one of my best friends,” he told reporters. Nadal and Lopez claimed Spain’s fifth overall medal, following others in swimming, canoe slalom and weightlifting.