The match seemed to go on for an eternity – the final scores being 7-5 4-6 6-2 7-5.
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Murray, who had looked vulnerable on his serve throughout the set, staved off two break points to move 6-5 ahead. The Argentine underwent a series of surgeries on his left wrist starting in 2014; he went two and a half years between majors.
The Japanese player’s struggles finally shook the Centre Court crowd into some life, with chants of Nishikori around the court and attempt to prolong the event.
Del Potro has created trouble for the Spanish star before, beating him on his way to a victory at the U.S. Open in 2009, but the Argentine’s performance has been inconsistent since that year, and he has been hampered by injury for most of the last two years.
The gold or silver awaits the Brit, while Nishikori will contend the bronze medal match.
Del Potro is back on the tour this season, making his Grand Slam return at Wimbledon.
Murray was speaking as Rafa Nadal and Juan Martin Del Potro were duelling for the right to meet him in the final.
Murray defeated Kei Nishikori, of Japan, 6-1, 6-4 Saturday, earning his spot in the finals, according to the AP.
Del Potro faces defending champion Andy Murray for gold on Sunday.
The warning signs were ringing in the third when Del Potro, whose first serve had hit 87 per cent, produced several unforced errors as Murray broke to lead 4-2.
It’s been hard to assess the form and fitness of Del Potro this week, with the Argentine having not played a tough tournament like this one for a long, long time and who knows how much he’ll have left for Sunday.
Andy Murray defended his men’s singles title at the Olympics, overcoming Juan Martin del Potro in a thrilling final at Rio 2016 on Sunday. He added a doubles gold on Friday, teaming with his good pal Marc Lopez.
Still, a couple of points later, del Potro summoned the strength for a backhand passing victor that gave him a break for 1-0.
Nadal says: “I was too exhausted”.
The Argentinian, who beat Novak Djokovic in round one, said: “I am living a dream”. In Nadal’s next service game, the Spaniard shot himself in the foot with a double fault that set up another break point, which Nishikori promptly capitalized on.
And, when Nishikori netted a backhand on the next point, a delighted Murray was able to celebrate victory and at least a silver medal. I knew that I wasn’t stepping in.
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He said: “I just came up with a bit of a lucky shot down the line”.
