Juan Martin del Potro reached the quarterfinals of the Rio Olympics with a 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-2 victory over Taro Daniel. The Argentine is in the last eight for the second straight Olympics, having taken the bronze in London in 2012.

Daniel takes tiebreaker that features few breaks

The first move was made by del Potro, breaking in the third game for a 2-1 lead. The expected mismatch that was forecasted looked to be on and the Argentine had another break chance in the fifth game, but Daniel rallied to hold after trailing 15-40 on his serve. The Japanese did manage to get the break back in the eighth game to level the set at 4-4. Daniel was pushed to deuce in the next game, but held. That was the last real chance for either player as the set went to a tiebreaker.

In the tiebreak, Del Potro cracked at 3-2 down, Daniel now with a minibreak lead at 4-2. After the next four points were split, Daniel broke one final time to close out the set 7-6 (4) and assume a one set lead.

Taro Daniel hits a backhand to Juan Martin Del Potro during their third round singles match in Rio/Photo: Luis Acosta/AP
Taro Daniel hits a backhand to Juan Martin del Potro during their third round singles match in Rio/Photo: Luis Acosta/AFP

Del Potro recovers to take the second set in a wipeout

The second set saw a del Potro surge as the Argentine won 12 of the first 13 points to take a lightning-quick 3-0 lead. The fourth game was the longest of the match, lasting 12 points, ending with another del Potro break, the set all but in the London bronze medalist's back pocket. Daniel did manage to get to deuce on del Potro's next service game, but he held and was a game away from winning the set. Daniel held, but del Potro served out the set to 15, taking it 6-1 and now the match was square at one set all.

Juan Martin Del Potro plays a forehand to Taro Daniel during their third round singles match at the Olympics/Photo: Luis Acosta/AFP
Juan Martin del Potro plays a forehand to Taro Daniel during their third round singles match at the Olympics/Photo: Luis Acosta/AFP

Del Potro finishes with a rush, wins last four games to reach the final eight

Juan Martin Del Potro and Taro Daniel shake hands after the Argentine won their third round match at the Olympics/Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Juan Martin del Potro and Taro Daniel shake hands after the Argentine won their third round match at the Olympics/Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The final set saw Daniel with the first half-chance. Leading 2-1, he pushed del Potro to deuce, but the Argentine held and then took the lead for good when he broke to 15. Now ahead 3-2, an easy hold was followed by an equally easy insurance break and all of a sudden, del Potro led 5-2. Now serving for the match, he closed it out to 15, taking the decider 6-2 by winning 18 of the final 22 points, setting up a quarterfinal meeting with Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.