The best images of the party disputed between Chilean Fernando Gonzalez and the Spanish Rafael Nadal, along with the medals ceremony

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Rafa Nadal knows no conformism. It is a word that does not fall within its vocabulary and an attitude that does not exist in their repertoire of responses. Whenever it reaches a target found a new target on the horizon. After adding his fourth consecutive Roland Garros complex faced without his assault on the grass of Wimbledon. But neither was relaxed after ending the outstanding account of Spanish tennis and track the Masters Series Toronto and Cincinnati set its sights on the daunting number one of the world. Now his dream has come true Olympic gold an end to their happy stay in the Olympic village in Beijing.



The gladiator Balearic imposed the passage from the beginning, as it has done ad nauseam Michael Phelps, who visited hours before his last game. With a solid tennis and safe from the bottom of the track, thanks to a scheme preclaro game, made to feel inferior in Gonzalez all times. Very intelligent, Nadal shirk fearsome right hand of stone and worked with the setback criterion on the last Olympic bronze to wind up the points with his tremendous right cross inverted.

Nadal masterly controlled the nerves and left in tromba to avoid surprises, with a burst of pride for number one that allowed him to become the first service break in the second game of the match. That ended the history of the first set, in which Gonzalez never found comfortable with the pace imposed by the Manacorense, committed too many errors and not forced abused its setback cut. A coup which allowed Nadal to move pleasure and show their ruthless side. The Spanish always won the duel of zambombazos.

In the second sleeve, settled in sudden death, Nadal kept the pulse strongly before a Gonzalez who clung to their service. The Chilean, thanks to the effectiveness of its initial services, managed to find some Right recompusieron minimally winning their faith. Nadal endured the pressure of going below on the scoreboard without hesitation and took out his caste and his winning mentality in the only delicate time of the encounter. It happened in the twelfth game with 5-6 and 15-40 against, in his usual know that with two balls to be lifted in September without batting an eyelid. A blow to morale Gonzalez, who suffered an attack of vertigo in the tie-break (7-2).

With a rival already obscured and helpless, he applied Nadal the puntilla mercilessly. Always had options to rest break, while services recorded with insulting ease. The bomber of Queen gave clear signs of desperation, improvising solutions are impossible, precipitated crazy rises to the network, to which Nadal was showcased to the delight of the bustling Chinese public. Gonzalez saved by the hair his first service (1-1) but was choking the third, which enabled the flagship of the Navy to sign the pleasure 4-1. Nadal already knew that the gold medal was returned to owner and demonstrate full control of the situation, saving two new balls at the break 5-2 and leaving details of his brilliant tennis exalted. A victory made in Nadal, who fits the gladiator in the history of Olympism Spanish.

Rafa Nadal held in advance the number 1 in the world by ensuring a medal in Beijing after removing the Serbian Novak Djokovic in an epic encounter which ended 6-4, 1-6 and 6-4. His rival in the grand finale will be the Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, executioner of American James Blake.

Novak Djokovic

That could not suppress tears after falling into semifinals before Nadal was disappointed by the defeat but praised his rival, which said it is "mentally very strong

When I won the second set, knew he would return to the game, is a player very strong mentally, "said Serbian after falling to the Mallorcan by 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.

With face serious, Djokovic was satisfied with his game, "aggressive in the second set," but expressed his disappointment at not having been enough to win Nadal.

Rafael Nadal

For my mentality, I think that I am more a player of that individual team. Since I liked seeing small team sports. What we feel when playing for my country, now or in Davis Cup is completely different to what we feel when playing for me, but never fail to represent your country

I have no more than words of thanks to all Spaniards of the town. I am what I am going very well. I got very tired because he had never been followed so much time away from home, and everything I had proved easier with colleagues

The Balearic admits that the encounter before Djokovic was an important game against a rival in this very complicated track

As for the final against Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, anticipated to be a very hard, because it is getting good, with an incredible right ... I know I'll have to play well if I want to win

Being this is the end is very important to me. After the season I've done, win an Olympic medal makes me very happy

Second Round " 6-1 defeat HEWITT AND 6-2.

It's the best match I've played here, "he said, sweaty, two minutes after leaving the central track. Rafa Nadal rose above a tired Lleyton Hewitt (6-1, 6-2) in one hour and a half low, ideal for a player who has a terrifying season in what numbers. Their duels with the Australian ramp hard not hold any precedent favorable, so the party had its danger.

However, second favourite broke in the fourth game of the first partial and no longer left his opponent do anything else until the final 6-2. There, the newly launched party, and was Hewitt who, with their ancentrales back problems and a marathon doubles match on Monday, not stubborn by any ball that was beyond its scope. Neither is trying. Nadal, already in a version closer to normal, threw hand of his forcefulness.

He returned to break the Hewitt serve at the beginning of second set, and then you sobrevino the only moment of weakness. He lost two games followed, including the following with its draw, and then on the track heard a cry, "Come on!". There was a time in which those words sounded to defeat in the Spanish tennis, but that, today, has also changed. Neither Hewitt is that of a few years ago nor intimidated by Nadal gets a shout. Five games in a row and think eighths finals, where they will play against Russian Igor Andreev, the French executioner Michael Llodra. In addition, in the last game, with its draw, built a 0-40 and closed, also with five consecutive points, its second pipeline in Beijing.

I hope that will not happen

The American James Blake acknowledged that an Olympic final between Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer would contribute "exciting" sport, but hoped, by his own interest, that this does not happen.

Blake relies on its own strengths, while acknowledging that the best time of mourning, both tennis and emotion is the Rafael Nadal current No. 1 Roger Federer and No. 2 (how long ago that wanted to write this ...). Although not rule out other players, including the same, to the surprise in the fight for medals.

It is true that a final between Federer and Nadal would be exciting for the sport. That is something we expected around the world. But I hope that this does not happen, said American tennis player, who has an opportunity to share some moments with both at the Villa Olimpo.

Even taken into the Olympic village is a good experience. Convivir all. Roger and Rafa can not be more pleasant and mix with all athletes, "said Blake, who could meet the Swiss in the fourth round of the Olympic tournament.

In recent months
Federer
seems more humane

I have not had much luck in my clashes with Federer but in recent months has seemed more human. I think it could be on the podium. In the Olympic Games in the Davis Cup and everything can happen, "said Blake in the presentation of the U.S. team in Beijing 2008.