Japan's Kei Nishikori has beaten Rafael Nadal in three sets to win the bronze medal at the Rio Olympics.

The world number seven needed just under three hours to overcome the Spaniard 6-2 (1)6-7 6-3 and earn his place on the podium.

Nadal was looking to add another Olympic medal to the gold he won in 2008, but he soon found himself on the back foot as Nishikori dominated the opening set.

The Spaniard won just four points against the serve throughout the set, and despite saving six break points he still dropped his own serve twice as Nishikori took control of the contest.

Nishikori was on the brink of a straight-sets win when two more breaks saw him serving for the match at 5-2, but Nadal refused to give in and reeled off four games in a row before forcing a tie-break which he went on to dominate.

However, the world number five gave up one break point in the deciding set, and that was all Nishikori needed to storm to a 6-3 win.