LONDON: Wimbledon was witness to two epic men’s singles matches on Friday when, first, Roger Federer clinched the first singles medal of his career on Friday in an Olympic marathon, winning 19-17 in the final set against Juan Martin del Potro and, later, home hero Andy Murray beat world No. 2 Novak Djokovic 7-5, 7-5 to set up a rematch of last month’s Wimbledon final.
Federer’s semifinal match lasted 4 hours, 26 minutes, and the Swiss rallied to win 3-6, 7-6 (5), 19-17. He converted only two of 13 break-point chances, the second coming in the next-to-last game.
With the comeback victory, four-time Olympian Federer is assured of at least a silver medal.
“I was very tense at certain times,” Federer said. “I was seeing myself as a loser many times during the match.”
Del Potro will play Djokovic for the bronze medal, also on Sunday. The Serb had won bronze in Beijing four years ago and will not be able to better that this time around.
Murray held all 12 of his service games and broke once in each set. When he ripped his final shot at Djokovic’s feet for a winner, the partisan Centre Court crowd responded with a massive roar.
He broke down in tears, just like he had done at the Wimbledon final, but this time on a happier note.
British flags were flying and Murray would have been proud of the way he handled this match after many had wondered how he would cope following the loss to Federer at The Championships.
Serena in finals
Serena Williams also clinched her first Olympic singles medal, beating No. 1-seeded Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-2.
On Saturday, Williams will face first-time Olympian Maria Sharapova, who beat Russian teammate Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-3.
For duration, Federer’s latest victory didn’t rival John Isner’s 70-68 final-set win at Wimbledon in 2010, or even Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s 25-23 win in the third set at the Olympics this week.
But the match offered epic drama magnified by the setting and the stakes for Federer. He improved to 12-0 this summer at the All England Club, including a record-tying seventh Wimbledon title.
“I definitely got a sense that it was something special,” Federer said.
There were no match points until the final game. After a couple of wobbly moments by Federer, including a double-fault, he sealed the victory when Del Potro dumped a backhand in the net.
Federer lifted his arms in jubilation, then leaned wearily on the net awaiting the big Argentine’s handshake. They then shared a warm embrace.
“I felt for him in a big way,” Federer said, “because I’ve been there as well.”
Maria Sharapova swept into her first Olympic final as the Russian world number three defeated compatriot Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals.
The 25-year-old will play Wimbledon champion Serena Williams in Saturday’s final as she tries to complete the Golden Slam of titles in all four majors and the Olympic singles.
Sharapova is competing in the Games for the very first time and the French Open champion is now guaranteed at least a silver medal following her dominant display against the 14th seed in a clash lasting one hour and 29 minutes on Court One.
Both men’s and women’s finals should delivery intense, and the best, tennis. (Agencies)