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.
Murray and del Potro fought out a four-set epic where neither player could be honestly disappointed with their effort level but Murray ultimately came away with the chocolates.
It was always going to be a battle of attrition and a matter of whether Martin could use his power to take an early win, or if Murray’s defensive grind would win out.
The first set, falling Murray’s way, was therefore so important – however, it was a closely fought one, with Murray proving just that little bit better in the key moments.
That was a theme for the match but not so much in the second set where del Potro put in an excellent effort to fight back and level the match at one set apiece.
It was his efforts in the third set however that del Potro would’ve been most disappointed in – he kept pace early but eventually allowed Murray to steamroll him 6-2.
The stage seemed set for Murray to take the fourth set and the match in short order but that was where del Potro really proved himself.
He opened the fourth set with a break and in fact broke Murray time and time again during the set, although he repeatedly allowed Murray to break him in return.
Del Potro came within two points of claiming the fourth set and forcing a decider in the fifth, but could never quite get to set point.
In those sink or swim moments, it was Murray who ultimately prevailed, breaking del Potro one last time to win the fourth set and the match in a 7-5 finish.
The result means Murray is now a two-time gold medallist in the men’s singles tennis, while del Potro has bronze and silver from London and Rio respectively.
While he didn’t come away with the win, he can be incredibly proud of the tenacity he should throughout the tournament.
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