Murray becomes first tennis player to win two singles golds

Murray becomes first tennis player to win two singles golds

(Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

NBC Olympics.com – Great Britain's Andy Murray defeated resurgent Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in the men's singles best-of-five final on Sunday, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2, 7-5. In doing so, the men's World No. 2 has become the first tennis player to win consecutive gold medals.

In the beginning, Murray seemed to have a grasp on the match. He converted several break points and was up 4-1 in the first set. But del Potro rallied back to even the score at 4-4. Three-time Grand Slam winner Murray managed to overcome nerves and take the first set, 7-5.

Recommended Videos



The two were evenly-matched throughout the second set, which saw del Potro breaking Murray's serve to establish a 3-1 lead. The Argentine used his hard-hitting forehand to win big points, taking the set 6-4.

But in the third, Murray captured a break point at 3-2 and immediately roared, "Come on!" As the Argentine began to unspool – hitting shots into the net, sending balls past the baseline - the Briton won the set 6-2.

The fourth set saw Murray and del Potro tied at 3-3. The Argentine broke serve to make the score 4-3. But the Briton pressed on, finally taking the set - and match - at 7-5.

In total, the match took over four hours to complete.

Though he lost to Serbia's World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open and French Open finals, Murray won his third Grand Slam title last month at Wimbledon. Djokovic crashed out of the British tournament in the third round, leaving Murray to play against – and defeat – Canada's Milos Raonic in the final.

Djokovic shockingly fell in the first round of the Rio Olympics – to Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro. It was a rematch of the London 2012 Bronze Medal Match, which Djokovic lost.

Though del Potro won the 2009 U.S. Open and singles bronze at the London 2012 Games, he's suffered multiple wrist injuries since 2010 that have involved complicated surgeries. The Argentine stepped away from professional tennis for about a year, but resurfaced at this year's Delray Beach Open.

Still, World No. 141 del Potro takes home singles silver. Not bad for a guy who was locked in an elevator a week ago.


About the Author:

Watch Rachel weekdays during 10 News at 5:30, 6 and 7 p.m.