Saturday 13 August 2016 07:30, UK
Rafa Nadal claimed his second Olympic Games gold medal as he partnered Marc Lopez to victory in the men's doubles in Rio.
Nadal and Lopez defeated Romania's Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau 6-2 3-6 6-4 in a rollercoaster final.
The former world No 1 had arrived in Brazil unsure if he would even compete because of a wrist injury but victory in the doubles now puts him in with a chance of completing a golden double.
Nadal had earlier moved into the semi-finals of the singles with a three-set win over home favourite Thomaz Belucci.- he won that event in Beijing eight years ago.
The 30-year-old missed out in London because of injury but was finally able to carry his country's flag at the opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium last Friday.
Lopez was capping a brilliant summer that saw him claim a first grand slam title, having taken the French Open doubles title alongside Feliciano Lopez.
"It was an amazing experience, especially doing it with one of my best friends, with Marc, it's something unforgettable for me, for both of us," said Nadal.
"To win a gold medal after two months and a half with no practice, with no preparation, just working in the gym, is something that is a dream.
"The moment was unbelievable, and we had fun. We fight hard.
"It's a dream to win for my country. I didn't come here just to carry the flag at the opening ceremony,"
American pair Steve Johnson and Jack Sock took bronze with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Canada's Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil.
