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Golden boy Nadal continues dream year with victory

17/08/2008

Rafael Nadal has continued his fairytale year after winning gold with a 6-3 7-6 (7/2) 6-3 win over Fernando Gonzalez.

The French Open and Wimbledon champion made it 38 wins from his last 39 matches with a comfortable win in Beijing.

Nadal, 22, broke Gonzalez in his first service game on his way to taking the opening set. The Spaniard had to save two break points in the second set before winning the tie-break.

Another early break in the third set edged the Mallorcan close to victory. And he triumphed on his fourth match point when Chilean Gonzalez netted with a forehand.

Nadal will leapfrog rival Roger Federer at the top of the men's rankings tomorrow, and his win gives Spain their first ever gold in Olympic tennis.

He said: "It's more than my best dreams so I want to enjoy the moment.

"I know how difficult it is to win these things, especially here. Winning here for me is unbelievable."

Meanwhile, world number three Novak Djokovic took the bronze medal after the Serbian beat American James Blake 6-3 7-6 (7/4).