(From Asahi Shimbun)
Kei Nishikori outlasted Spanish rival Rafael Nadal to capture the bronze medal on Aug. 14 at the Rio Summer Games for Japan’s first Olympic medal in tennis in 96 years.
“There were many times when I felt like giving up,” Nishikori said after winning 6-2, 6-7 (1-7), 6-3 in a match that lasted almost three hours.
Nishikori had previously beaten Nadal only once in their last 10 meetings. But after taking the first set, Japan’s ace had Nadal on the ropes with a 5-2 lead in the second set.
Nishikori found himself on three occasions just two points from winning the match. Read more