Source: Xinhua

08-12-2008 16:25

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a hit against Potito Starace of Italy in the first round of the men's singles of the Olympic tennis competition in Beijing, China, Aug. 11, 2008. Nadal beat Starace 2-1.(Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a hit against Potito Starace
of Italy in the first round of the men's singles of the
Olympic tennis competition in Beijing, China, Aug. 11,
2008. Nadal beat Starace 2-1.(Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

BEIJING, Aug. 11 -- Spaniards were enormously dented at the on-going Olympic tennis tournament as three of their four men singles players suffered early exit from the Aug. 10-17 event on Monday.

    Headed by Rafael Nadal, the man a week away from being the world No 1, the Spanish contingent had aimed at least one gold at the event where they got medals in previous Games.

    But the road to the podium seemed to turn uphill after world number four David Ferrer, world number 12 Nicolas Almagro and former top ten player Tommy Robredo were all fell in the first round.