The 2 semi-finals on Saturday evening were so contrasting in nature. Defending
champion Andy Murray breezed past Asian number 1 Kei Nishikori 6-1 6-4 and was
crucially able to rest ahead of the 5 set Olympic final. To see who would be
Murray’s opponent in Sunday’s final, the 2008 Olympic Gold Medallist Rafael
Nadal took on the 2012 Bronze Medallist Juan Martin Del Potro in what was a
titanic clash lasting over 3 hours. Del Potro is no stranger to epic Olympic semi-finals
having been a part of one with Roger Federer in 2012 in which he lost 19-17 in
the 3rd set. That must have been at the back of his mind as he
continued to pummel down forehand after fore hand to counter Rafael Nadal as
this time he wanted to be assured of a medal. Having lost the first set the
pressure was on Del Potro and my word he played the match of a lifetime. He broke
early in the 2nd set and held on to win it 6-4.
The nerves were showing on both the players at the end of
the 3rd set Nadal was broken for Del Potro to take a 5-4.In the
following game Del Potro was broken to love as he attempted to serve for the
match. Nadal in the next game was down 0-40 but managed to hold on to take a
6-5 lead. In the final set tie-break(the writer is so glad that the ITF
introduced this as in its absence the old rule of playing until one player has
a 2 game lead in the final set was used and that resulted in Roger Federer
being completely depleted of energy in the final having been exhausted after a
four and half hour marathon which ended 3-6 -7-6 19-17) Del Potro had 2 chances
to close out the match on his own serve and squandered them, Rafael Nadal with
the score now back on serve was attempting to nail his 2 serves and take a 7-6
lead to put the pressure on Del Potro, faltered and gifted the match to the
Argentine.
The final 4 games and the tie break featured both players
gifting the other the opportunity to win and the opponent returning the favour
in what seemed like a game of chivalry.(you take it. No you take it)
What’s next?
Rafael Nadal will take on Kei Nishikori in the bronze medal
match and will attempt to add to the gold he won in doubles in Rio 2016.
Juan Martin Del Potro who hadn’t played tennis for 2 whole
years due to a series of wrist injuries, will attempt to make a statement by
winning gold for Argentina and announcing to everyone on tour that he truly is
back! But the hurdle in front of him is
not an easy one. Andy Murray is in the form of his life having reached the
finals of all the 3 majors this year (winning Wimbledon)
He seems to be able to reach any ball wherever it is hit and
return it back to make his opponent play that 1 extra shot in a bid to draw an
error. However he never seems to want to go to the net and finish off a point
as even after picking up a ball near the service line, he will charge back to
the baseline and defend. Del Potro could present a serious problem if his
forehand is on song like it has been throughout the tournament where he has
knocked out Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. For Andy Murray he can take solace
that the hard hitting game of Del Potro means that there will be the occasional
long forehand and free points.
Even though there aren’t ATP points on offer in the Olympics,
expect both players to give it their all and not have the upcoming US Open in
August at the back of their minds(Del Potro isn’t even sure of a US Open spot
as he is way out of the top 32 automatic qualifiers with a ranking of 141). Don't let the disparity in their rankings fool you(world no.2 vs World no.141)
Two Grand Slam Champions will battle for Gold.
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