Internet Desk: Tennis world witnessed a massive war to conquer the Gold Medal from the biggest show on earth. It took four hours to Andy Murray to achieve the highest award of the Olympic tennis. Finally he defeated Del Porto.
Rio Olympic Silver Medalist Del Porto did not leave an inch to British Andy Murray. It was seemingly a life battle for the Argentine. The Brazilians also waved to show him respect after his defeat of a four sets match.
Murray needed just over four hours to win 7-5 4-6 6-2 7-5 and secure Team Great Britain’s fifth gold medal of the day and 15th of a brilliant Olympic Games in Rio. The Gold went to Great Britain’s Andy Murray. Four years after beating Roger Federer in London, he’s done it again, defeating Del Potro in an epic final.
“When my daughter is old enough I will try to explain what I did,” said the world No 2. “It means a lot, getting to carry the flag was amazing. I found that quite emotional and had to regroup and get my mind back. To finish it like that, I was emotional at the end as well and and very happy.”
Three times Murray had to break back against the silky-moving giant from Tandil, who showed no little courage himself in battling on when his legs were threatening to buckle from under him.
In the first set Juan Martin del Potro served all along to stay. He fancied his chances in the tie-break if he could hold his turn. Murray returned expertly and he got two set points when Del Potro totally mishited his forehand riposte.
But when Del Potro bounced back to claim the second, Murray faced with the prospect of a least two more sets with the men’s Olympic final a best of five match as opposed to the best of three for the rest of the tournament.
The strain had told on both men. Del Potro, so desperate to revive what looked like a career destined for greatness, was left in tears after knocking out Djokovic before beating Rafael Nadal in the semi-final.