Olympics Rio 2016: Juan Martin del Potro ousts Rafa Nadal to reach Olympic final

The match hinged on a final set tie-break, with Del Potro gaining an early mini-break and eventually coming through 5-7 6-4 7-6(5) as Nadal fired a makeable forehand into the tramlines.

Del Potro had served for the match in the third set, but was broken to love amid a raucous backdrop, with chair umpire James Keothavong’s pleas for quiet falling on deaf ears.

Nadal was bidding to become the first player since 1924 to triumph in both the men's singles and doubles at a single Games.

The Spaniard and former world number one, who claimed a gold medal for Spain in men's doubles with partner Marc Lopez on Friday, can still leave with an individual medal if he triumphs against Kei Nishikori in their bronze medal match.