Day 8 BBC One: 17.20-19.00 Olympics

Hello again. Welcome back to the Olympic City, Rio Olympic Games. The

sun is shining, it is about 25 Celsius, and out there, hotter on

Copacabana Beach. And nothing stops the pilgrimage,

the locals to the beach. It is packed there.

But there is no time for day dreaming and indeed lolling in the

sun today for Britain's athletes and for us. This could be another hugely

significant day for Great Britain's medal prospects. Day eight, perhaps

another Super Saturday in the making. It has been superb at Lagoa,

where Britain's rowing team claimed a gold medal and a silver in the

men's and the women's eights, the last two events of the regatta.

There are possibilities all over the city today, not least at the Olympic

Stadium where Jessica Ennis-Hill, Greg Rutherford and Mo Farah are

ready to defend their titles. And also in the velodrome, where Laura

trot and the team are trying to defend their medal that they won

handsomely in London. But Becky James is also making her Olympic

debute today from Wales. She is falling into the significant wheel

marks of Victoria Pendleton. The gold medal winner in the Keirin the

last time round. A lot of significant events. Let's round it

up for you so far. Nicely positioned here. Responding,

as does Natasha Hanson. O'Brien from Canada. Rebecca James

to the front. She takes the front. It is a safe

place to be. Now the race is on between the New

Zealander and the Australian for the second place to go through. It will

be a drag race to the finish. A good move by Hanson now. On the hip of

Becky James. First through go to the next round. Becky James has been on

the front for a long time. Oh, it is close. Rebecca James,

relief for her. She is straight through.

I was not sure how I would go compared to everyone else. I thought

they were going to compiling over. But I had the legs. I managed to

hold it off. Chuffed to bits.

Have you ever seen anything like this, Chris? The Dutch rider, right

up the side. I have seen people doing it in a stunt but never seen

it in a race! And Kenny starts to wind it up on the front.

Well, Jason Kenny on the front before. But he is comfortable riding

in the front and the back. Trying to push the speed. High on the track.

We have seen it in the past all the way to the home straight. He is

taking it on the bend. He has the speed. He's going to take it

comfortably. He does so. It looks when you look

at it, that he has more work to do but my word this man is a real

powerhouse. It looks like Constable wants to

ride from the front. Skinner is happy to ride from the back. He has

seen his team-mate winning from the back. He is going to push high off

the bends. But Constable is high as well. A good tactic for him to get

the speed. Constable with too much speed. It is close! Oh, just

sneaking in, Callum Skinner, so, so close! He had to do a lot of work

over the lastbound but Callum Skinner gets home ahead of Patrick

Constable. Now they have Australia in the same

straight. That is a boost. But the Australians are keeping it together

with three. The Americans have them in the same straight, in sight.

The Americans are driving through the front there, with their

youngster. Australia getting a little ragged.

The United States closing in on them on the bell.

Australia is feeling it tough now. They will have to really move.

But the Americans are absolutely flying! They are charging through

here the United States. They have posted an incredible time! A new

world record! Well, that is a phenomenal ride by the world

champions in Rio. The United States have put a serious marker down for

the final. They have broken the world record.

Will we see Great Britain do enough to get into the gold medal ride? Or

will they ride for a time to answer back to the USA team? We have seen

now that they are gaining a lead over the Canadians.

Being driven by Laura trot, the omnium Olympic champion. Driving

hard on the front. She's an incredible rider, Laura

trot. So, so small but with so much power. An exciting rider in the race

starts. Everybody is excited to see what she

can do. Now the driving force for the Great Britain team, Laura Trott.

And now Elinor Barker, a new member of the squad for Great Britain.

Canada trying to limit the loss at 1.20 at the moment. So Great Britain

starting to apply the pressure. Canada dropping down to three

riders. The fourth struggling on the back.

The coach of the Great Britain team is indicating to his team that they

are up on the schedule. He is happy with the time they are riding. It is

a question as to whether or not they are riding to get into the gold

medal contention... 1,000 metres to go. 2 seconds ahead. Canada down to

three. They push hard. Katie Archibald swings back. Putting

together a good ride here. Whether it will be world record pace or not.

They are not worried. Down to three now.

The great British coach for the first time is asking them for more.

Down to three. And Archibald, Trott and Barker will

bring it home for Great Britain. Now the coach is happy with the ride

it is on schedule. Let's see what they are going to do.

Great Britain have this in hand at the bell. They are riding a quality

ride here. Will it be good enough to break the world record? It is! 4.

.12.152. They have edged ahead! Superbly controlled from the Great

Britain team. An amazing ride. Nobody looking under pressure. They

know each other so well. The coach giving indication they were on a

good one. .

An amazing ride. Great Britain break the record in the qualifying, the

United States break it in the previous race, now Great Britain put

their marker down. What a final prospect.

What a quartet. That is astonishing. The United States as you saw broke

their world record in that first round then of course Great Britain

broke it right back! So United States against Great Britain in the

final this evening. That will be about 9.10.00pm if it goes to plan

at the velodrome. So much going on. Jason Kenny, Callum Skinner through

to the quarter-finals of the men's sprint and Becky James going in

round two of the semi-final of the Keirin at about 8.20pm your time on

the BBC! It has been a fabulous morning as Lagoa. Looking back,

Great Britain's rowers have been the most successful sport of any Olympic

Games for Great Britain. The only team that is have won a gold medal

right back from 1984 all the way through. So a wonderful period of

domination. Once again they have topped the medal table and John and

Steve have been following every single oar length on the course.

Let's get their thoughts on a job very well done by Great Britain's

rowers. We arrived on the final day of the

regatta expecting two medals on the eights. And got them. Both were

hugely impressive performances? The performances were stand-out. People

have been asking me what medals are we going to win it is gold and

silver. Gold and silver. But it is easy for me to say, they have to do

it. Especially with the women, the weight of history on them. Amazing

performances. In terms of the women how significant is it to are won a

first Olympic medal in the eights? It is huge. People are watching this

at home, blown away by the performance. There is a saying in

rowing if you can't catch or throw or kick a ball, go into a rowing

boat. Will Satch did a little bit of

rowing at school. He side stepped it and then came back in, now with a

gold medal around his neck. So there are people out there

thinking, they could be a lever in a boat. And that happened to Helen

Glover. She saw the Beijing Games, she wanted it. Be inspired get out

there and give it a go. And Britain top of the medals table,

does it mean that Britain are top of the rowing world? Officially we are

the best rowing nation in the world. The Kiwis have been pushing hard. In

the World Championships some years they get it but at the Olympics it

is us. I think that is important for the funding element of it, and the

status and the focus that Great Britain puts on the sport. It has

been a fantastic week of entertainment. One of the most

extraordinary rowing races in the final of the men's single skulls, a

dead heat but then they awarded that to Drysdale. So a magnificent

setting, and with wonderful weather this week.

And Drysdale with the second gold of the Games. And here is the medal

table. An heck silver medal for the women's

eight. It all adds up to five.

A clear impression of how big and significant the support team is

behind each of the rowers in allowing them to achieve the

ambition of the Olympic medals. Paul Bennett said that he summed up the

birthdays he had missed, saying that it was them that should be thanking

their family for all of their help. An inspiring morning, I'm sure you

will agree. And now a great evening ahead. Four years ago it was Jessica

Ennis-Hill who got the party going. The first of the athletes to win the

Olympic gold. Then Greg Rutherford in the long jump, followed by Mo

Farah, crowning an unbelievable evening. This time, the order has

changed. Jessica Ennis-Hill's events is the last as she goes for gold. Mo

Farah before that, and it is Greg Rutherford up first at 12. .50am

your time. Trying to defend the Olympic long

jump title. It's a process of feelings, as opposed to mental

skills. You get into a rhythm. As you are a

accelerating down the runway it is by feel. Your mind is in a citizen

area, if you like, of doing what must be done in order to jump as far

as you possibly can. Can you have imagined a night like

this? That gold medal changed everything. It gave me the belief

that yes, I can win the major championships. Before that I thought

if everything went well, there was a chance... Greg Rutherford is the

Olympic champion! I went from somebody who nobody knew at all,

indeed in the local town to that ginger guy that won that gold medal.

That is fantastic. I'm very happy to be remembered as that "ginger guy"

it is great. Still to this day, a lot of people remember where they

were on Super Saturday. Once you take off, if it is a good

jump you feel it straight away. That is what the field eventers chase,

that one feeling of: I have got it right. I had it in London. I had it

at the worlds. Rutherford completes the Grand Slam

Olympic, European, Commonwealth and now world champion.

Last year I was not the longest jumper in the world but the most

consistent. I take that in with confidence. Consistency wins medals.

What it comes down to is doing it when it matters. That is what I am

focussed on. It is what happens in the majors. I am an advocate of

being happy away from the track and influencing being good at the track.

To have what I have now, a lovely little buoy to go home to after

sessions, and a very understanding partner in Susie who gets the fact I

can be a selfish, angry so-and-so at times. Hello Milo. I have two

separate parts, the part at the track which is serious, getting the

work done and the part at home, which is different. I don't want to

talk about work I want to have fun with my son. I do. And I'm in a

better place than I have ever been now. I have a real reason to

perform. Now I want want my son to look back in 10, 15 years' time, to

say, yeah, my dad was pretty cool. Hoping for better things today, as

you've heard, his third jump, he managed to make the qualifying mark

for the final tonight. He says he has his run up fixed and knows what

he is doing on the runway. All the while with this talk of gold

medals on Super Saturday, Andy Murray is defending his men's

singles final. He has come through two difficult

matches and finds himself in the semifinal against Kei Nishikori of

Japan, a former runner-up in the US open and former top five player.

Andy Murray took the first set. It is two Games each.

He looked a sitting duck there, Nishikori couldn't finish him off.

It is red alert, just a red shirt. It should have been a better answer

than that. This is a dreadful game from the

Japanese, here are three break points for Murray.

A crucial break for Andy Murray and he has done it again, 5-3 in front.

Nishikori is serving at 3-5 behind. Bidding to stay in this Olympic

semifinals Nishikori is coached by Michael

Chang who is not here. I don't know if there is a problem

with Nishikori, but it seems to be moving to his left. He is not able

to get any power on his backhand. Any power at all.

Andy Murray, such a keen watcher, will be all too aware of that.

But when he is in the zone, he can hit it free and well.

Well played, Nishikori, the pumps his fist. He is hanging on by a

thread. -- he pumps. The crowd doing all they can, the

Japanese. Not too many Brits here. The ones that are, they are quite

despite the smooth course for Andy Murray it seems moving towards the

final. Watching Nishikori, you are always

watching for signs of wear and tear because injuries have let him down

at crucial stages. I can't see anything obvious. Indeed, he played

that game well. But Andy Murray has taken advantage, he has ignored the

irritation of Carlos Fram Moss -- Ramos. He is a game away from his

third Olympic medal, remembered the silver with Laura Robson in London.

The gold medal beating Djokovic and Federer, career changing back in

2012. Andy Murray serving for the match

with new balls. These serve out White has been

fruitful. That is as good a return as

Nishikori has played in the match. A couple of quick steps, launching

himself at that one. Murray keeping control of the match

but in the end it was an unforced error from Nishikori.

And it was a teaser. You would expect Murray to take care of that.

He launches into that second serve of Murray.

Where has this kind of form being prior to this game? In the previous

four Games? It is very late but it is not too

late. The rally of the match, perhaps, of

the tournament. And look where Murray was to play the final shot.

You how to feel for Nishikori. What a sensational rally that was.

But Murray will not be denied. Hopefully we will see a replay of

that later. It is match point number three.

Nishikori, disappointed. But Murray, no blips today in this semifinal. He

is into his second successive Olympics singles final. Magnificent.

So, it will either be gold again or silver for Andy Murray.

Didn't he play well? You can see not just the pleasure,

but the relief. He sets himself such high standards. But he has made it

through. It has been a wine the road. But it was pretty

straightforward. Nishikori blew hot but not very

often. Actually, lukewarm. But Andy Murray, whatever the situation, he

stayed on top of it. This time there was distraction with

the intervention of Carlos Ramos. Warning him twice, first for slow

play, then for what he called unsportsman like conduct. When he

said it was stupid umpiring, well, Murray forgot it. He kept his mind

on the task at hand and completed it.

Well, he is so gritty. He refuses to be beaten here in the singles

environment. He is through to tomorrow's final where he plays

either Rafael Nadal, the 2008 champion from Beijing or Juan Martin

Del Potro, the man that knocked out Novak Djokovic earlier on in the

Olympic competition so. That semi-final is getting under way in

about 10 minute's time. But in the meantime we have a date in the

boxing ring. Ireland's boxers have had a tremendous time four years ago

taking four medals but not so good this time. They have lost Paddy

Barnes early on and Brendan Irwin has gone out. Katie Taylor, the

defending champion, what a fighter she is. Michael Conlan and today

Stephen Donnelly. Fighting Mohammed Rabbi, the first from his nation to

win an individual boxing world title. The winner of this one gets a

guaranteed bronze. So in the opening round of the 69

kilograms welterweight quarter-final.

Boxers from Morocco and Ireland. The man wearing red. Helping himself to

a cracking left hook is the reigning world champion and number two ranked

boxer in the world. Mohammed Rabbi from Morocco.

And his opponent, Stephen Donnelly, 27 years of age from Ireland.

This, the biggest fight of his entire career as he looks to book

himself a place on the Olympic medal podium. This is the prize that

awaits this fixture of the bout. It does not get tougher for

Donnelly. A world number one. Someone who is very experienced and

talented indeed. What Donnelly has to do is keep the movement going.

You stand toe-toe and then come in to the way he boxes. So you have to

keep moving against this fella. He is a very accurate puncher is Rabbi.

So Donnelly has to keep the movement going.

A good bout. Stephen Donnelly has been impressive so far.

Rabbi is really an accurate puncher. Lots of pop on the punches as well.

They will have to produce is terrific display here to eliminate

the opponent. A split decision in the second

preliminary round. Rabbi had a good right hand to the body of Donnelly.

Donnelly is a very good mover. One suspects that he will be a

crucial asset. He is tagged by another left hand after a right hand

to the body was not too far away. Rabb six a boxer, who is an expert

at controlling the pace. He likes to box at a leisurely place. He has

fast hands, accuracy and power. But the feet are fairly slow. That is

why the movement is important for Donnelly. He doesn't want to be

holding his feet. He must be hitting him, being a nuisance in front of

his opponent. Rabbi punches and goes back. Has a dance in terms of

finding the range. Every time he punches and moves back it creates

the space and gap again. And away he goes again. But he boxes at his

tempo. You must disrupt that rhythm. In the first contest, the good right

hand there from Rabbi. He really is a hurtful puncher. But a great

response from Rabbi in the third and the final round after losing the

second round to Kenya's Akiri. There we saw a quickening of the tempo.

After conceding the second round 2-1. He came out more quickly with

more alack rutty than they he normally boxes.

-- alacritty. There a Moroccan corner. Let's have

a look at the scores. Yes, across the board from Rabii. So

he started quicker. So Donnelly has to get back to the fast movement and

make things awkward for his opponent.

So moving to the second round of the 69 welterweight quarter-final. The

man wearing red is on the receiving end of a cracking right. So rapid

with the punches. Carries a poker face. It seldom

changes, the visage of Rabii. But when he steps into range he

possesses quick hands and is able to land clean singles. Pinning Donnelly

to the corner. Donnelly intelligently trying to tie his man

up to the space in the boxing ring. The referee intervenes. He has a

fairly wide stance, has Rabii. That means that most boxers with a wide

stance struggle to move at speed. If you watch his feet he is slow on the

feet. Boxers, like I said before, he boxes at a leisurely pace. He likes

the type of pace. The pace he dictates. But the strength is in the

quality of the punching. Straight shots. He works well on the inside.

Always calm. And that's why you must be busy in front of him. Making had

uncomfortable. At this pace it suits Rabii. A nice shot downstairs.

A wonderful right-hand from Rabii. Referring to the contest against the

Kenyan boxer, the man from East Africa did that, he got into the

chest of the markion and made it uncomfortable. Edging the round to

two judges to one. Donnelly is a fantastic mover.

He matches well. Side to side of either stance. But this is perhaps

playing into the man in red's hands. He's got to do more Donnelly.

We know what Rabi, is like, he should know that also. He does not

lead off. He waits, you have to make him lead to get your feet into a

position where you're a threat to him. Make his lead off, then go back

to counter if that is the style you are going to do. If not it is in and

out. Lots of fast punches. Make it awkward and disrupt his rhythm.

Another hard single left hand to the body of Donnelly. A terrific

atmosphere here. Rabii is so far on top of this round. So Donnelly still

moving. Fluidity. But is there enough of it from him? A good left

from Rabi, once again. A very good round of boxing.

Donnelly pumps his right fist. But I suspect it is the man in red going

to take that round. I think he is indicating he wants

the boxer to be busy. He has to throw more shots, Donnelly. He is

having a little bit of success. A lovely 1- 2 there. A couple of good

exchanges but overall, let's have a look. No. He has not done enough to

take it. It is good scoring. It's a tough job. But he must work harder.

There were signs he was doing OK but more of it.

. So into the second round. It is usually the third and the final

round. That is a cracking right hand from Donnelly to begin the final

session. He's behind on the cards.

He needs a big third and final round as he staggered as the shot caught

him somewhere around the side or the top of the head.

Often you see Rabi, land shots and he takes a back ward step to regain

composure and that's when you have to get on him. Go at him and put him

under. A good right hand from Donnelly

again. He is having success with single punches. Perhaps he needs

greater volume and more intensity. I think Donnelly is doing well.

Planning the attacks. The fast darting attacks. But we need more of

them to be a little busier. A cracking left hook from Donnelly.

That caused Rabii to readjust. Playing dangerously close together.

Now a count was issued there. I thought it was a head clash. Indeed,

Donnelly thought the same. He has been given a count.

Now that's a point. Now this changes things dramatically. As it was

indeed a head clash. The referee gave a count to allow Donnelly to

recover and a point docked from the score of the world champion in this

third and final round that is going to make things very dramatic indeed.

A good left hand from Donnelly. We have said how well donely has been

boxing. He could take this and turn it around if he is given it on the

cards. If Rabii is judged the winner it will be a the-9 round. He just

has to turn it around, as you said. If he wins the round that will be

10-9 and the point is taken from Rabii, it's a 10-8. So Donnelly has

to up the tempo to ensure he wins the round.

He really has to go tor it. Donnelly has done better in the third round

than in one and two. But it changes the complex of the things. Remaining

patient. Remaining poised. The right hand from Rabii was wide of the

mark. Is Donnelly boxing in a manner of a

man who thinks he has won this in the closing ten seconds or saving

himself for a final attack? There is a 10-second clapper. Right hand in.

Down goes Donnelly. What is the referee saying here. He has given

him a count. There was a shot that helped him get

tangled up. Fortunate there for Donnelly.

What a dramatic third and final round. Let's re-count the incidents

that took place. Donnelly started the third round

very well indeed after trailing on the cards after two completed rounds

of boxing. Then there was a clash of heads.

Donnelly's knees dipped, the referee intervenened and give Donnelly a

count. Donnelly intimated there was a clash of heads that caused the

referee to dip. The then the referee turned and warned Rabii.

He turned and snagged his feet. There was another count down.

If there is a win for Rabii it will be a 9-9 round that shot at the end

may have been enough to win the round. Close. It will be 9-9, Rabii

winning the round but the point taken off.

It can pandemic it a 10-8 round. How are the judges going to sort this

one out? My goodness. High drama in this third round of the 69 kilo welt

we are weight final. The winner is through the medal podium here at

2016. COMMENTATOR: Ladies and gentlemen,

the winner by split decision... In the red corner Mohammed Rabii.

And it's Rabii. A split decision over Ireland's Stephen Donnelly.

Eliminated at the quarter-final stage. But he has nothing but

admiration and support from the crowds, Stephen Donnelly. Rabiis, as

is customary for him, a silent moment of thanks and acknowledgement

for the wonderful support he has been received. Donnelly eliminated.

The number one seed goes through. Steven Donnelly goes out at that

stage. Joe Joyce, the Londoner, goes in the

superheavyweight, trying to do and Anthony Joshua in London when he

took gold. Who will play Andy Murray in

tomorrow's men's singles final in the tennis? That is what we are

about to find out. Either this gentleman, Brafferton adult of

Spain, 2008 champion from Beijing and fresh from Olympic gold in the

doubles with his childhood pal Mark Lopez.

And one Martine del Potro, former US open champion, he has had wrist

injuries which has hampered his progress and potential. Let us enjoy

the opening exchanges. The winner will go through to face Andy Murray.

Whoever it is, don't forget del Potro not out Novak Djokovic. It is

sure to be a cracking final. The Wimbledon and Grand Slam

champion, interesting to see her at the helm of the Davis cup team,

looking after the men in Spain. Mark Lopez also in the stands. I

hear he had a rather long night with rapper. -- Rafa.

Perhaps not having played for a couple of months and coming here

with low expectations might work in Nadal's favour, probably already

has, with less pressure on him, people not talking about him at the

start of the tournament, with more focus on Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Perfect conditions today. Not too much of a breeze. Not too hot and

humid which has been the case on other days here during the

tournament. We will keep an eye on how he is

hitting his forehand. He started out a little shaky against Bellucci. It

was noticeable in each of the sets he got better, playing his best in

the third and final set. Given he hasn't played for so long,

he will have some niggles. Let us hope they are just some

niggles. For the Dahl, not having had the match play, there is nothing

like matchplay which puts those different stresses on the body.

Yes, he has moved find in the duration of the doubles match. But

after cooling down, it can be a bit different. We shall see how he has

recovered. Those fans have their energy levels

up. Big cheers for del Potro. Rafael Nadal won the toss and has

elected to serve, to begin this men's semifinal at the Olympics in

Rio. Billed as the battle of the

heavyweights, a blockbuster. Between these two Grand Slam winners.

It certainly does have the billing, this match, a very attractive

proposition. 14 times Grand Slam singles champion, del Potro with

only one but with so much unfulfilled potential, and such a

huge game. Very crisp backhand from Nadal.

The angle is there to swing the serve out White but for the most

part he has been going down the middle. And into the body of the

other player. Superb save from the dial looking to

expose the movement of del Potro -- from Natal. Del Potro is a very tall

man, he gets around the court very well for his height. Nadal will be

trying to get him on the stretch. Great depths from del Potro. But it

caught the line. Trying to change the pace.

He got there in time, had to put on the brakes to pull up. Nice play

from the Argentinian. Break point in the first game.

A marathon rally. And a whopping forehand.

Here is a good look at the big, flat forehand of del Potro. Hit with

top-spin but when he flattens it out, look out, it really flies.

Fantastic rally from both men but del Potro is the one who came

through. That is a great sign for del Potro. Moving very well around

the court. And waiting for his chance, not too

early, sometimes players can feel like they have to do too much too

early in a rally. It has been a common theme

throughout the week, the serve has really been working for del Potro.

Which has spelt danger for all of his opponents.

Three massive serves to start his campaign. His fastest for the

tournament has been 215. Making a statement.

We have already seen one of the crushing forehands this is why there

is so much excitement about the return of del Potro to the game.

After having been sidelined for so long, over a period of many years,

on again, off again. That was good hitting on the

forehand from Nadal, noticeably better than against Bellucci, really

going through the forehand. There have been issues with the left

wrist. Much more so with del Potro. In the last 18 months he has made a

concerted effort to work more on the backhand from the baseline.

When he gets over the top of that, so beautifully, he hits right

through and follows through with the racket to create that angle.

For Nadal, a great forehand. He's on the board.

Before we get under way here, let me update you quickly in the golf.

Justin Rose made a significant move today behind four shots off the

leader, Marcus Fraser. This is him, he dives down there, 2-under for the

round. And good stuff to follow for Justin.

A former Open champion. And Justin consistently enthused by

the golf and its return to the Olympics. This is for another eagle

chance. And straight in. So four shots

better already than at the start of the day. He has take an 1- shot lead

over the field, 10-under par. Marcus Fraser on 9 and Padraig

Harrington within five shots at 5-under and Danny will yet on 7. --

Danny Willett on 7. All happening in the golf. Now back

to the semi-final of the tennis. Now with Nadal having the efforts of

playing the singles to get through to the semi-final stage and the

doubles final. The emotions of winning the gold medal in the

doubles. I'm wonderering how he would shape up. But he has come out

with the feet moving well. The racket going through the shots. Even

though he was broken early, still looking impressive with the way he

is playing. When he held serve, at Juan Martin

Del Potro it was firingway. The balls are not necessarily short.

He is grunting he is really in the match zone.

Great approach. Wonderful point all-round. Good

defence from Nadal. Staving off the huge forehands from Del Potro.

Credit to Del Potro, he's not rushing to finish the point off too

quickly. He gets there in the end. One of the sweetest shots in the

game. A thing of beauty to watch, that forehand. This one here,

Flatley through again. A little over the top at the end. It's a high-risk

shot when he does flatten it out. His percentages have been very good

this Olympic tournament. He stopped immediately, Del Potro is

challenging. The ball was called in.

He got the message, it was in. Mr Del Potro has two challenges

remaining. So, a huge atmosphere.

Plenty of Argentines making their presence felt. A lot of Spaniards

have made the trip. It's a Argentines making most of the

noise at the moment. A super day. The temperature is

about 23 Celsius. A very light breeze. Quite humid. But ideal

tennis conditions. They may have been worried that

Nadal would have made a slow start after all of the emotion of winning

with his friend, Mark Lopez, in the doubles yesterday. It's been a

brilliant start. Del Potro though has been the

governor. Having a look to see how wide was

the serve. Getting the angles moving well.

There's a lot to be encouraged for the Spanish supporters here.

Even though the scoreline at the moment is against them.

Nothing wrong with his play at all. And the Spanish supporters know that

even though this is noisy, even though the Argentines are making the

bulk of the noise, their man came back against Bellucci from Brazil in

the quarter-final. Taking that from a set down... . A lot of the

Brazilians taking Rafa's side now. Should we say there is a healthy

rivalry between Brazil and Argentina?! So a lot of them are

honourary Spaniards. Very much a carnival atmosphere

here. Today the Centre Court at this Olympic Tennis Centre virtually sold

out today. That's good to see. It's a the women's final coming up

next. Monica Puig against Angelique Kerber but for a lot of the

spectators here, this is the feature match. They have seen Andy Murray

coming through in a slightly disappointing performance from Kei

Nishikori. Andy Murray looking very good. Now they have this

competition. So it is still Del Potro by a break,

3-2. He is going to challenge.

Close enough to challenge. The umpire having quite a task to

keep this crowd under control. Mr Del Potro has one challenge

remaining. It is ideal for Nadal, the court is

slow, double checks and gets up high. So it plays very much like a

clay court. It was a little foolhardy for del

Potro to make the move, and Nadal really making him play. -- Making

him pay. Now it is the Spaniard and zillions

in full flight. His form has been a revelation.

Remember, he hadn't played since Roland Garros where he withdrew in

the third round match. He didn't play at Wimbledon. We

weren't sure he was going to come here.

Was it a risk? I bet he's glad he made it, already a gold medallist

again with his best friend Lopez. Now, back level in the semifinal

against del Potro. Again, Rafer bossing the point.

Using that huge forehand which is working a treat.

Ever since he was broken in the opening game, Nadal has seemed to

have the edge in this match. He is going to hit the front for the first

time. Not quite. He made the move and it

looked on for del Potro. You can see Rafa continuing to serve

from a star is pretty near the side line.

It seems del Potro is bathed in sweat, it is very humid.

Although the temperature is not too alarming.

Two guys who share problems with their wrist. Rafa has had all sorts

of problems but looks to be bouncing back. Winning in Monte Carlo.

Beating Andy Murray in the semifinal. If he wins this, he will

face him tomorrow. Wawrinka in the quarters, Dominic

Thiem, and then he went to Barcelona, winning in that one.

Beating Kei Nishikori there. Semifinalist in Madrid.

Quarterfinalist in Rome. Then he had to withdraw from Roland Garros and

he has been missing ever since. Wouldn't it be strange, because he

and Andy were practising together in Rafa's tennis Academy in Majorca a

few weeks before this tournament began. And they could beat in the

gold medal match tomorrow. -- they could meet.

Three successive games now for the Spaniard.

UMPIRE: Ladies and gentlemen, this is a tennis event, please respect

both players. Thank you.

Yes, it is lively, but it has to be a little more controlled.

Does anyone hit it harder in the history of tennis?

I can't imagine Rafa needed any lifting after the gold medal in the

doubles. He was so emotional. He will be emotionally spent. But this

atmosphere has got him going very quickly.

It just climbed a little on del Potro.

It is all about confidence with Nadal. Often, when things weren't

going right, way back, from injury, he would talk about confidence in

striking the ball, not necessarily winning the ball, -- the match, but

confidence in his ability. He seems to be getting that this week.

Nadal moves to within one game of this opening set.

And so much of that ball striking confidence comes from confidence in

the movement. He was making his way back after the knee problems, then

the rest, it took time, and it was so frustrating. He was being beaten

by people who would normally be privileged to share a court with

him. She is certainly soaking up the

atmosphere. So, after the rain from the last

couple of days, it is a sunshine atmosphere with tennis to match.

Del Potro, through after that extraordinary win in the first round

against Novak Djokovic. Since then, he dropped a set against his

Portuguese opponent, and also against Daniel, the Japanese player

who put out Kyle Edmond, winning easily in the end, 6-1, 6-2.

Beautiful. Well waited in both senses of the

word. Crushing power.

Hardly moving before the ball was past him.

Using all of his 6ft 6 to great effect.

Five aces now for Del Potro. Jumping a little short of Rafa,

taking full advantage. It's truly uplifting to see him

playing, moving, striking the ball so well.

So it is noisy, it is combative, the support but it's great fun too.

The sweat is profuse from Nadal. He is having to work very hard. It is

very humid. So tough to deal with. You can hear

the effort that Nadal is putting in. His top spin exploding off the

court. Oh! Divine! Del Potro count have

played that a lot better. But he was comfortably second best. Again,

Nadal, threading the needle. Del Potro not having much Ann

answer. -- an answer.

It's not just the forehand of Del Potro that Rafa has to watch.