I’m just so happy I was able to be the first Puerto Rican woman to win a medal at the Games, and not just a medal. the gold medal’.
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Del Potro, who earned a bronze for Argentina four years ago, will add a silver or gold to that after advancing to the Rio de Janeiro Games final by coming back to stun the third-seeded Nadal 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (5) on Saturday.
Puig had a tough road to the final, beating among others Roland Garros champion Garbine Muguruza and two-time Wimbledon victor Petra Kvitova.
Kerber had cruised into the final without dropping a set as the second seed aimed to emulate Steffi Graf who was Germany’s last champion at the 1988.
Earlier Saturday, Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic beat Madison Keys of the U.S. 7-5 2-6 6-2 to claim Rio 2016 bronze.
See some of the reactions on Twitter below.
“I’m just beginning to understand that I’ve won a medal”, the Argentinian said.
The two-time Wimbledon champion has had a disappointing season, but she will be delighted to have a medal to show for her efforts in Rio this week.
“Best sport moment I have ever witnessed”, former major league baseball player Alex Cora said.
Monica Puig, of Puerto Rico, celebrates after winning the gold medal against Angelique Kerber, of Germany, during the final round at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016.
Addressing reporters shortly after, she said: “It’s just fantastic”.
‘It’s just wonderful – Puig said – I know my country really appreciates this, and I really wanted to give this victory to them.
Puig lost the first game of the match on her own serve, however, she responded by going on the attack and immediately broke back.
“I think she came here with no pressure”.
Kvitova called her medal “one of the best things that happened in my career, definitely”.
Monica Puig isn’t the first Puerto Rican women’s tennis player to win a gold medal at the Olympics.
Clearly, Puig felt the same.
The world number 34 took her German opponent the distance in a slog of a contest on centre court at the Olympic Tennis Centre, eventually wrapping up a 6-4 4-6 6-1 victory in two hours and nine minutes.
Puig was so focused on making Olympic history for her native island nation that when she got a new dog earlier this year, she named him Rio.
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During the ensuing changeover, Kerber was visited by a trainer, standing on the sideline while her lower back was massaged and manipulated, before heading to the locker room for a medical timeout. Puig replied instantly and sent a strong statement that she was not going to be a pushover in this duel. “She played a really great week and beat a lot of top players”. Let us know in the comments!
