Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Serena and Venus Williams are all winners today at Olympic tennis. Nadal made a successful debut in Olympic singles Monday, overcoming numerous missed chances by sweeping the final four games to beat Potito Starace of Italy 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

Michael Phelps is taking care of all unfinished business while he pursues Olympic history. Next up: the 200-meter freestyle, one of two gold medals that eluded him four years ago in Athens.

BEIJING — The fans here have been unfailingly polite to the U.S. basketball teams, going so far as to cheer for them nearly as ardently as they do their own team.

BEIJING — The night before he was murdered, Todd Bachman sent a text message to his son-in-law, Hugh McCutcheon. It was during the opening ceremony, and Bachman was there, watching McCutcheon and the U.S. men’s volleyball team that he coached march into the stadium.

Ronda Rousey was a little girl when her father gently scooped her out of bed at 3 a.m. to drive her to swim meets in the frigid North Dakota winter. She would wake up to the smell of his aftershave and the exclamation, “It’s showtime.”

HONG KONG — After a year marred by fatal accidents, the equestrian sport of eventing received a much-needed reprieve Monday at the Olympics when the hazardous cross-country portion of the event concluded with no riders or horses seriously injured.

BEIJING — Tyson Gay couldn’t wait to tell his mom.

BEIJING — Michael Phelps ended his busiest day yet at the Olympic pool by easily advancing Monday evening to the 200-meter butterfly semifinals, about eight hours after swimming the leadoff leg on the victorious U.S. 400 freestyle relay.

BEIJING — The U.S. women’s basketball team quickly dashed any hopes China had of an upset, avenging a loss in April with the second American drubbing of the Chinese in as many nights.

BEIJING — Rafael Nadal took the court at 10:30 a.m. and hit his final shot more than 11 hours later. Roger Federer’s first day of Olympic tennis was slightly shorter but just as successful.

BEIJING — By a fingertip, Michael Phelps is still on course for eight gold medals. He can thank Jason Lezak for getting him No. 2.