Andy Murray is the gold medallist in the men’s tennis singles after defeating Juan Martin del Potro in the final match at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
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In a classic that lasted over four hours, the British number one prevailed by a 7-5 4-6 6-2 7-5 scoreline to match his achievement in London four years ago.
From Andy Murray, who became the first man or woman to win two singles golds.
For Murray, it was a well-earned victory against an inspired opponent who, for the first time in years, looked like the 19-year old whose missile-launching forehand brought him a U.S. Open title in 2009 and right to the verge of joining Roger Federer and the rest at the top of the tennis world.
“Tonight was one of the hardest matches that I’ve had to play for a big title”.
Murray added a fifth gold for GB on a day that also saw Max Whitlock claim a gymnastics double, Justin Rose clinch the golf title and Jason Kenny win the men’s sprint crown.
A truly extraordinary fourth set featured seven breaks of serve, including one when Del Potro was trying to take it into a fourth at 5-4.
Murray, who was broken in the first game of the set, was unable to control Del Potro’s battling spirit as the Argentinian survived a Murray onslaught to serve out to second set. Murray competes for Great Britain and he is the defending Olympic gold medal victor. The Argentine underwent a series of surgeries on his left wrist starting in 2014; he went two and a half years between majors.
In a thrilling conclusion, two Argentine fans were even escorted out of the arena before Murray took victory on a second match point when del Potro netted a backhand.
Twice Murray went a set ahead only to lose the first game of the next. “It could be better than [winning the 2009] US Open tournament”. After completing yet another comeback with a great run at Wimbledon in June, Del Potro has proven everybody wrong.
Del Potro fought valiantly on, breaking for 2-1 in the fourth set, courtesy of a close combat exchange at the net but lacking the stamina to back it up and Murray was soon on level terms at 2-2. Four years onward and six matches later, Rafael Nadal has beaten Del Potro five times in their last six matches. Del Potro will be feeling a lot of pressure coming into this final and likely is to be overwhelmed early by Murray.
Just a single break of serve separated the pair in the second set as Murray held on to secure his place in another Olympic final.
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They manage to survive the Indian contingent of women’s doubles world no. 1 Sania Mirza and men’s doubles world no. 15 Rohan Bopanna with a come-from-behind 2-6, 6-2, 10-3 win. Del Potro would also make the ATP World Tour Finals championship match that season before well-discussed injuries started to affect his career in early 2010.
