Rafael Nadal’s bid for an unprecedented second Olympic singles gold medal ended with a thrill-a-minute semifinal loss to Juan Martin del Potro.
Del Potro, who earned a bronze for Argentina four years ago, will add a silver or gold to that after advancing to the Rio Games final by coming back to stun the third-seeded Nadal 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (5) on Saturday.
Using the same ferocious forehands that carried him past No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the first round a week ago, del Potro now will try to pull off a third surprise on Sunday, when he meets defending champion Andy Murray in the final.
The No. 2-seeded Murray earned a gold in singles and a silver in mixed doubles for Britain at London in 2012.