RIO OLYMPICS, Brazil
MEN’S DOUBLES
Champions and gold medalists: Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez (ESP). They defeated Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau (ROU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. It was an amazing effort from Nadal and Lopez. They were down a break late in the third set and I thought there was no way they were winning this one. Unfortunately for the Romanians, the pressure had a negative impact and they would both drop serve late in the set to give the victory to the Spanish duo.
Silver medalists: Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau.
Bronze medalists: Steve Johnson and Jack Sock (USA) defeated Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 6-2, 6-4. The Americans played brilliantly and they deserved the victory. Good effort from the Canadian team to get to the medal contention stage. A bit tricky for Sock to play against his previous doubles partner, but he did not let that deter him from getting the victory.
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Champions and gold medalists: Elena Makarova and Elena Vesnina (RUS) defeated Martina Hingis and Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. This was Hingis’ first Olympic medal. Makarova and Vesnina did not drop a set the entire tournament.
Silver medalists: Martina Hingis and Timea Bacsinszky.
Bronze medalists: Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova (CZE) defeated Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 7-5, 6-1.
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Champion and gold medalist: Monica Puig (PUR) defeated Angelique Kerber (GER) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. She had lost their two previous encounters and this was the number two ranked player in the world. How did Puig do it? Desire and determination. Puig became the first Puerto Rican to win any medal in Olympic history and she did it in style. CONGRATULATIONS!
Silver medalist: Angelique Kerber (GER)
Bronze medalist: Petra Kvitova (CZE) defeated Madison Keys (USA) 7-5, 2-6, 6-2.
MEN’S SINGLES
Champion and gold medalist: Andy Murray (GBR) defeated Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 and defended his 2012 singles gold medal. Murray showed his own determination by fighting off some resistance in the fourth set from the exhausted Del Potro. Although he did not win gold, this was a great performance from a player who has been struggling to regain his form after bilateral wrist surgeries.
Silver medalist: Juan Martin Del Potro
Bronze medalist: Kei Nishikori (JPN) defeated Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-2, 6-7(1), 6-3. It’s a bitter-sweet Olympics for Nadal, he won gold in doubles but may have sacrificed his chances at a medal in singles in the end. The fatigue was obvious. To come so close will be something he will have to think about for a long time.
MIXED DOUBLES
Champions and gold medalists: Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock (USA) defeated Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram (USA) 6-7(3), 6-1, 10-7. Although it was not gold, by winning this medal, Williams has the most tennis Olympic medals.
Silver medalists: Rajeev Ram and Venus Williams
Bronze medalists: Lucie Hradecka and Radek Stepanek (CZE) defeated Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna (IND) 6-1, 7-5. This was the third bronze medal for the Czech team.
SOURCE OF IMAGES: Bing search
