Olympics: Rafael Nadal Struggles to Three-set Victory in Olympic Debut

Rafael Nadal made a successful debut in the Olympic men's singles today, but he didn't find it easy, wasting a number of opportunities before sweeping the final four games to beat Potito Starace of Italy 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

Nadal failed to convert seven consecutive break-point opportunities but finally broke for a 4-2 lead in the final set. He erased a 15-40 deficit on his serve in the next game, and then broke again for the victory.

The Chilean Nicolas Massu opened his bid to defend his Olympic gold by beating Steve Darcis of Belgium 6-4, 7-5. No7 seed David Nalbandian of Argentina defeated Zeng Shaoxuan of China 6-2, 6-1.

In the women's singles, meanwhile, Serena Williams won all four games when her match resumed after an overnight wait to complete a rain-interrupted victory over Olga Govortsova of Belarus, 6-3, 6-1. Like Nadal, Williams was playing her first singles match at the Olympics. She won a gold medal in the doubles in 2000 with her sister Venus.

Dinara Safina of Russia won her 11th match in a row by beating Mara Santangelo of Italy 6-3, 7-6.