Murray finally hits it big
Scotsman Murray banished the heartbreaking memories of his Wimbledon final defeat against Roger Federer by beating the Swiss tennis legend on the same court to take the Olympic men’s title.
He then joined Laura Robson in the mixed doubles where, despite a brave effort, they lost out in the deciding tie-break, losing 2-6 6-3 10-8 to Belarus’ Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka.
Just 28 days ago Murray was reduced to tears on Centre Court after being beaten by the world number one, but yesterday he overpowered Federer to claim an emphatic straight sets victory in an atmosphere noticeably more raucous than Wimbledon men’s final day.
And if Murray had any demons after his Wimbledon final defeat, he definitely overcame them as he swept away Federer in less than two hours.
He sank to his knees in the moment of victory then climbed into the players’ box to embrace his girlfriend Kim Sears and proud mother Judy.
“It’s number one for me – the biggest win of my life,” Murray said.
Earlier in the day, the Williams sisters made Olympic tennis history when they were crowned women’s doubles champions. Less than 24 hours after Serena joined older sister Venus as a three-time gold medallist with a crushing victory in the singles – completing the career golden slam in the process – the United States pair saw off Czech Republic duo Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 6-4 6-4.
The match was a repeat of last month’s Wimbledon final, which the Williamses also won in straight sets on Centre Court.
Yesterday’s play had begun with Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro winning the bronze medal in the men’s singles after upsetting second seed Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-4.
Del Potro lost a marathon semi-final encounter to Roger Federer on Friday and left the court in tears, but he roused himself physically and mentally to earn his place on the podium at the expense of the 2008 bronze medallist.
