Rafael Nadal to Play for Gold

Rafael Nadal broke his 2008 hardcourt losing streak to Novak Djokovic, outlasting him 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 to advance to the gold medal match.

The world No. 3 was favored to win this match after defeating Rafa in straight sets in Indian Wells and Cincinnati this year. But once Rafa won the first set, it was going to be mentally and physicaly difficult for Djoke to rally.

He's never beaten Rafa in three-set match.

This installment showed us why. Rafa got off to a fast start, but then starting choking, as he has done a lot this year, toward the business end of the first set. He failed to serve out the set on his first try.

Djoke took advantage of Rafa's nerves in the second set and decided to hit throw his own by bashing the cover off the ball.

It worked. Before I could settle into the set, it was over.

But it also took a physical toll on the top dog wannabe. He had to throw his entire body into every shot just to get the ball by Rafa who was making Djoke run, run, run.

In the final set, Rafa kept grinding Djoke down. Some long rallies produced some spectacular shotmaking, but the wheels were coming off Djoke as the set wore on. When he finally bashed an overhead out on matchpoint, he could hardly believe it.

I saw it coming. He didn't even move his feet before he raised his racquet to hit the ball, and since it was the second or third overhead he had to hit on that point because Rafa's relentless defense allowed him to throw up lob after lob, Djoke gave up.

He wept as he walked off the court.

Rafa will face 2004 bronze medalist Fernando Gonzalez, who's already been compared to Justine Henin for failing to give James Blake a point he didn't earn.

There will be nerves.

The player who handles them better will win.