Nishikori ends Japan's 96-year wait for an Olympic tennis medal

Kei Nishikori has become the first man from Japan to win an Olympic tennis medal in 96 years after defeating Rafael Nadal to claim the bronze medal at Rio 2016.

The world No. 7 battled past Nadal 6-2 6-7(1) 6-3 in two hours and 49 minutes to secure Japan's third Olympic tennis medal in history. Only at Antwerp in 1920, when Ichiya Kumagai won singles silver and teamed with Seiichiro Kashio to win another silver in doubles, had Japan won medals in Olympic tennis prior to today.

"I'm very happy to win, to get a medal today, even though third place," said Nishikori. "It means a lot for me to especially beat Rafa today.

"I knew before playing Olympics that if I can play good tennis, good, solid tennis, I have a chance to get a medal. I was playing for my country. This is something different from other tour. But I was very enjoying. For sure this experience will help for my confidence and for my future.

Nishikori led 6-2 5-2 with a double break, only for Nadal to recover both while the Japanese player retreated into his shell. Nishikori went off for a bathroom break at the end of the second set, a lengthy delay that infuriated Nadal, but the world No. 7 rediscovered his focus to rattle through the deciding set.

"I didn't know what to do from 5-2 [in the second set], I got a little bit tight," admitted Nishikori. "He start playing better. For sure I was rushing to win, you know, to get the last couple points. But also he start playing better. So I give credit for him.

"I tried to refresh my mind in the third set. I knew I wasn't stepping in. As soon as I got the break, I tried to play more aggressive. I played with good confidence. So very happy to win today."

It was an unfortunate end for Nadal, a doubles gold medallist at Rio 2016 with Marc Lopez, who had enjoyed a fine week at the Olympic Tennis Event in singles and doubles in his first competitive appearance after two months out of the game with a wrist injury.