Murray's Golden Moment

What a difference a month makes. Just 28 days ago Andy Murray was left distraught after a heart breaking defeat to Rodger Federer in an energy draining Wimbledon final, but now after an extraordinary Olympic week for Team GB in general Murray has achieved the status of double Olympic medallist, holding one gold after taking ruthless revenge on Federer in the singles final hammering the 16 time grand slam champion 6-2 6-1 6-4 in a wild centre court. 

Murray with his two Olympic medals

Murray later described the win as the “best of his career “as he became the first British player to win   Olympic singles gold since Josiah Ritchie in 1908. Shortly after Murray took back to court in a tightly contested mixed doubles final as he and partner Laura Robson narrowly missed out on another gold medal losing 2-6 6-3 10-8 in a match tie break to the Belarusian pair of  Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi.

After a shock exist in the first round of the games in Beijing four years ago this week has shown just what the Olympics means to Andy Murray playing under the name of team GB. A big sports fan Murray has said he has been inspired by Britain’s success at the games describing Mo Farah’s 10,000 metres win as “amazing”. Murray’s performances over the past week showing an extra motivation brilliantly denying the likes of Federer and Djokovic a unique Olympic gold.

Murray had never beaten Federer over five sets in their previous Grand Slam meetings but after saving two break points in the opening game the Brit never looked back with a dominant display over the world number one. In the opening games Murray was the bigger hitter of the two knowing aggressive play was the only way to beat the Swiss maestro. 

Murray made the breakthrough in game six as heavier hitting forced the errors from Federer’s racquet to lead 4-2. After holding in the next game Murray took no chances mercilessly breaking Federer for the second time to the roar of the Olympic crowd who showed far less respect to the Wimbledon champion than four weeks ago producing a similar biased atmosphere of a Davis Cup tie.

At the start of the second it seemed Murray could do no wrong after two net cords in one game helped him break yet again to keep increasing momentum. Murray’s biggest battle came in the following game, reminiscent of a game in the Wimbledon final where Murray was finally broke. But this time in a game lasting twenty minutes where Federer threw everything at his younger opponent Murray held his nerve brilliantly saving six break points to lead 3-0.

Federer looked tried and emotionally drained after a marathon semi-final on Friday but no one could have foreseen a match this one sided, with the Swiss losing nine games in a row to trail 6-2 5-0 on a court where he has claimed seven Wimbledon titles. Murray on the other hand made no hesitations in serving out the second set now on the brink of Olympic gold.

Murray’s level never dropped as he landed another blow on Federer in game five of the third set with more aggressive play persistently keeping his the world number one behind the baseline not allowing him to dictate the points. The Brit’s serve never let him down as he only conceded one point when serving in the third set sealing the match with an ace.   

Murray later said “I did not expect this I had a chance of going deep into the tournament I was a little tired after Wimbledon but today I felt so fresh” For Federer who is 31 on Wednesday this may have been his last chance to take Olympic gold in singles the one thing missing from his great career.

Federer’s semi-final opponent Juan Martin Del Potro took bronze after recovering from the longest singles match in Olympic history against Federer to beat Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-4 to win Argentina’s first medal of the games.

Samba Stars Surpass Team GB

Brazil   2            Team GB   0

                                    Sandro  12
                                    Neymar (pen) 35

It was always going to be a big ask for a team limited in international experience and brought together for a one off occasion to take on an ever developing young Brazil side, favourites to take the Olympic gold in three weeks’ time.

In the only warm up game before the tournament the Teesside crowd of 24,721 keenly awaited the chance to see some world class players on show including forwards Neymar and Hulk in a Brazil side full of tricks and talent. To the delight of the home fans Middlesbrough keeper Jason Steele started in goal for team GB raising the biggest applause in the team announcements along with captain Ryan Giggs.

As the game begun under the late evening sun there were encouraging signs in the opening five minutes for team GB as they controlled possession early on. However the pace and power on the break created to first opening of the game only for Santos striker Neymar to squander the opportunity from inside the area.

Neymar after adding Brazil's second from the spot

A cheap conceded free kick eight minutes later allowed Brazil chance to move ahead, when Neymar’s cross fooled the GB defenders who expected a shot, before Tottenham midfielder Sandro’s header beat Steele at the far post.

Still in a learning environment the crowd struggled to know how to support a newly formed team GB, missing the traditional band and singing of a home crowd but applauding Captain Giggs when he was on the ball. While Neymar’s efforts for a penalty triggered boos from the crowd as the forward lay in the area holding his face.  

From then on Brazil’s class and togetherness was one above their opponent’s with Chelsea transfer target Oscar running the show in midfield. Brazil’s second came courtesy of Hulk’s powerful run into the area once the forward shrugged off Micah Richards before drawing the foul and penalty from the Manchester City defender. Neymar then calmly converted the spot kick from twelve yards in the bottom right hand corner.  

    

Stuart Pearce made four changes at half time including a change of keeper in Birmingham’s Jack Butland, and the nineteen year old was forced straight into action when Oscar’s effort from range forced a dive to the right to keep the ball out.

Like the first half team GB struggled to create anything in the final third. However the hosts did produce their best move of the game ten minutes after the restart when some good build up play worked its way to Danny Rose whose low cross found Craig Bellamy in an offside position. Rose continued to be GB’s biggest threat going forward but the team still failed to create a clear cut chance.

Butland was the by far the busier keeper as he showed real potential for an international career first keeping out Neymar’s effort inside the area before brilliantly tipping substituted Alexandre Pato’s header over the bar.

Manger Pearce later said his team were lacking full fitness against one of the outstanding Olympic sides. Team GB now play their first group game against Senegal at Old Trafford on Thursday while Brazil, with all eighteen of their squad members having played at international level before, face Egypt at the Millennium Stadium.