Britain’s Andy Murray will meet Roger Federer in the Olympic men’s singles final on Sunday after securing a straight-sets win over Novak Djokovic.
Murray beat the Serbian world number two 7-5 7-5 in exactly two hours on Wimbledon’s Centre Court and is now guaranteed at least a silver medal.
Standing between the Briton and the biggest title of his career is Federer, who beat him in the Wimbledon final.
The Swiss overcame Juan Martin del Potro 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 19-17.
Federer admitted to being “extremely drained” by the marathon encounter, but he was finished more than an hour after Murray started against Djokovic.
In addition, Murray must play at least one mixed doubles match with Laura Robson on Saturday after their quarter-final against Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Stosur was delayed.
The Briton has spoken about the unique opportunity to win gold at a home Games,
and his opportunity has arrived.
He leapt around in celebration at the end and his eyes welled up as he looked to the sky. Of his six wins against Djokovic, this was comfortably the most important.
Murray troubled the five-time Grand Slam champion from the outset, registering two early break points before striking with a crosscourt forehand in game 12 of a near-faultless first set.
Murray averted danger in his first two service games of the second set as Djokovic looked to restore parity, saving further break points told hold for 5-4 and 6-5.
The excited spectators, mixed chants of “GB! GB!” with “Murray! Murray!”, and the home favourite responded by wrapping up victory with a break to love.
Next up is Federer, the man who beat him at the All England Club on 8 July. Exactly four weeks on from that defeat, Murray has a chance to exact revenge.
“He got amazing crowd support in the Wimbledon finals,” said Federer. “I was able to handle that. But there’s never a guarantee. I don’t know how much the crowd plays in the outcome of the match.
“He’s such a great player but I’ve been around as well. I think should be a great match.”
Federer struggled to handle the windy conditions against Del Potro and, at 6-3 7-6 (4-4), the 2009 US Open champion was three points away from victory.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner served to stay in the match on 12 occasions before eventually prevailing and kissing the Swiss badge on his shirt, also with tears in his eyes.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Federer, a doubles gold medallist with Stanislas Wawrinka in 2008. “It’s a big moment in my life and a big moment for Switzerland because we don’t have a singles medal yet.”
The longest men’s three set match before Friday was Rafael Nadal’s 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (9-7) semi-final victory over Djokovic in four hours and three minutes at the 2009 Madrid Masters.
Earlier in the week, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s 6-3 3-6 25-23 win against Canadian Milos Raonic was the longest three-set match in terms of number of games.
Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18916095
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