Rio Olympics 2016: Rafael Nadal carries Spanish hopes into next round

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 10: Spanish great Rafael Nadal beat Italy's Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the round of 16 in the Rio 2016 Olympic tennis tournament.

Olympics special site; Photo gallery

His win followed losses earlier on Tuesday by compatriots David Ferrer, Carla Suarez and GarbiAe Muguruza that left Nadal -- the gold medalist at the 2012 London Games -- as Spain's only option for a medal in singles play, reports Efe.

The Olympics mark Nadal's return to competition after a two-month hiatus due a wrist injured that forced him to withdraw from the French Open.

World No. 5 Nadal jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the 71st-ranked Italian, who hasn't won a tournament since 2012, and rolled to a fairly easy victory.

Rafa's next opponent will be Gilles Simon of France, who beat Japan's Yuichi Sugita 7-6 (3), 6-2.

IANS