The Czech duo took 71 minutes to wrap up the match for the third place and the bronze medal. “We have to move on”, a visibly shaken Sania said. The World No.1 in women’s doubles said that it will take a lot of time for her to get over the loss.
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The American duo fought back from a set down to win the semi-final 2-6, 6-2, 10-3 in one hour and 17 minutes at the Olympic Tennis Centre here on Saturday.
Stepanek was over the moon and he surprised his fans with the wild celebrations.
The Tripura girl Dipa, who has already created a wave by being the first Indian to qualify for a final in the gravity-defying sport, would step into the gymnastics arena to see whether she can reach an altogether different plane by winning the country’s first-ever medal in this visually appealing discipline. “I am sure back home people will be partying”, hesaid.
“I am happy that I won an Olympic medal”.
“When we play on the circuit, we play for ourselves. We won! Oh my God”, said Vesnina, who captured the Montreal doubles title with lifelong friend Makarova on the eve of Rio.
Stepanek was all class in the bronze medal contest as the Czech unleashed his powerful strokes, constructed the rallies and finished points with his superlative display. And they soon realised that the medal was not there for the asking.
The Olympics ended on a disappointing note for Sania Mirza, as she and Rohan Bopanna lost out to Radek Stepanek and Lucie Hradecka 1-6, 5-7 in the bronze medal match. That was the second break chance of the game for the Americans.
The Czechs put up more pressure as Stepanek’s served for the 5-0 lead with Hradecka finishing with an easy volley.
The Indians were cruising at one stage but once Sania’s service was broken in the fourth game of the second set, the tide turned in the favour of the Americans.
A nervous Lucie served a double fault but Stepanek supported her with his tremendous presence of mind. She then served well to make it 3-1.
The next five games went by the serve but then Sania was broken in the 11th game. His serves were nearly nerve wrecking.
The duo swept through the WTA circuit in the second half of previous year and will be defending points for winning five titles until the end of the season – including the US Open Grand Slam event and the WTA Finals.
After the game, a visibly distraught Sania and Bopanna struggled to come to terms with the result.
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A visibly upset Bopanna said, “Right now, it’s really hard to focus”. You put your best but it still falls short.
