Olympic Update: Tennis

 

Andy Murray has reached the semi-finals of the men's singles tournament at the Rio Olympics after battling to a three-set win over Steve Johnson.  The reigning Olympic champion is one victory away from another medal after he finally overcame his spirited American opponent to seal a 6-0 4-6 7-6 win.

The win means Murray is assured of at least a place in the bronze medal play-off but a win in his semi-final against Kei Nishikori will guarantee he follows his London 2012 gold with at least a silver medal, but for the second day in succession he was given a huge scare on Centre Court at the Tennis Centre.
Murray's opponent will be Japan's Nishikori who came through a three-set epic against Gael Monfils, edging out the Frenchman in a thrilling tie-break that saw Frenchman double fault on match point. Nishikori holding his nerve to come through 7-6 4-6 7-6 and set up a meeting with Murray on Saturday.

Elsewhere Rafael Nadal continued his return to form by reaching the semi-final thanks to a 2-6 6-4 6-2 victory over Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci. Inspired by the home crowd, Bellucci roared out of the traps to take the first set but Nadal managed to assert himself as the match went on and grew stronger to eventually win in three sets. Next up for Nadal will be Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro who is once again proving to be inspired by the Olympic competition.

Having beaten Novak Djokovic to bronze at London 2012, Del Potro has continued his return to form and fitness in Rio. This time seeing off Djokovic in the first round he added the scalp of 10th seed Roberto Bautista Agut on Friday to book his place in the last four with a comfortable 7-5 7-6 success.
In the doubles Nadal and his partner Marc Lopez are through to the men's final where they will face the Romanian pair of Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau.