Thomaz Bellucci advanced to the quarterfinals of the Rio Olympics with a 7-6 (10), 6-4 win over eighth seed David Goffin.
Bellucci wins marathon first set in equally long tiebreaker
Goffin struck first, breaking in the third game for a 2-1 lead. He had further chances to break in the fifth and seventh games for a double break lead, but wasted the combined four break points, something that would later prove to be costly. At 5-4, the Belgian served for the set, but Bellucci responded, breaking to 15. The Brazilian was back even, but not for long as Goffin broke again, giving himself a second chance to serve out the set. Again, the eighth seed dropped his serve and the set was headed to a tiebreaker. Bellucci jumped out to the early lead 2-0, but Goffin recovered the minibreak and after four straight minibreaks, the breaker was at 5-5. Goffin wasted a set point and Bellucci was now in control. He needed five set points, but finally wrapped up the tiebreaker 12-10 to take a one set lead.
Bellucci advances to the last eight on the strength of one break in the second set
The second set started routinely, each player holding without much of a challenge until the fifth game when Bellucci had a break point. He failed to convert that, but he did break in Goffin's next service game to take a 4-3 lead. Now just two games from the finish line, Bellucci held to love for a 5-3 lead, but he faced a break point when serving for the match at 5-4. He saved that and three points later, he wrapped up the match, winning the second set 6-4 and advancing to a quarterfinal meeting with 2008 gold medalist Rafael Nadal.
Bellucci talks about the win, facing Nadal
After the match, Bellucci spoke about his victory and the prospects of playing the 14-time major champion for a semifinal berth:
"It’s going to be a very tough match,” he said. “Rafa, of course, is the favourite. He’s a great player and has been performing great at the Olympic Games. He’s won three tough matches with some ease. I’m also having a good tournament, playing very well. The crowd is supporting me a lot, so it’s going to be a very special match and I hope it is going to be a great one.”
Bellucci has equalled the best result by a Brazilian at the Olympics, as Gustavo Kuerten reached the last eight in 2000 in Sydney.