Just four weeks ago from today, Andy Murray fell his tears on Centre Court when he become the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1936 ended in a straight four-set defeat to Roger Federer.
Sunday, on the same weather with grass court, Murray won the greatest prize of his career. He shared with all of Britain by defeating Swiss champion to win Olympic gold in men’s singles at the England Club court.
Murray wept again, but this time with joy and suspicion, upon seals the 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 victory that was superb in its unbalanced doubt, over in 1 hour 56 minutes of time.
The 25-year-old Scot said this interview with NBC in a post-match on-court. “I was expecting it to be a tough match.” He also said, “No way did I expect a score line like that in the final.”
Murray was brilliant in all facets of the final match of the game — his serve, his service return, his defense, his offense, his tactics and his resolve as well.
With an all out of attack, Murray broke Federer in four of the Swiss champion’s first six games. And Federer, who was seeking to become the third man in tennis history & fifth player overall to claim a Golden Slam by winning 2012 London Olympic gold & all four majors, he failed to win in this Olympic. He finished with 31 unforced errors & only 24 winners.
After getting in the first two sets, Federer had to go through three consecutive sets to win Olympic singles gold and complete the Golden Slam he desires. And he steadied himself reasonably well while at least for three games.
While the third set on serve at 2-2, Federer’s uncharacteristic error costs him. He hit balls into the net; sailed long and wide. He summoned power when touch was in order & it seemed as if Federer had lost track of where the court’s lines were.
Though Murray, who had never beaten Federer on Center Court’s grass, kept the pressure on like a constant veteran, the quality of his play never hesitate in the face of the Swiss meltdown.
Within 10 minutes, Murray was up 4-2 in the third set. With another break of serve, the Scot would claim another Olympic gold for Britain. Federer seemed Murray’s best ally, miss-hitting ball one after another.
But Federer was graceful in defeat, congratulating Murray with a broad smile as well as a hug at Centre Court & quickly exited the stage. After beating Murray at Wimbledon, Federer was highly complementary of Murray & restated his belief which would eventually win a major.
The Olympics may not be one of the Tennis’s sport four Grand Slams, but for the man to carry the burden of the British Island on his back each time he takes the court at Wimbledon, Sunday’s victory was truly grand.
According to Murray, he said, “I’ve had a lot of tough losses in my career, but this is the best way to come back from the Wimbledon final,” I’ll never forget it.
Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro, a marathon semifinal Friday, knocked off world ranking No. 2 Novak Djokovic, 7-5, 6-4, to claim bronze. This medal was the first for an Argentine athlete at the London Olympics 2012.
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