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Zverev whips Khachanov for Olympics tennis singles gold

August 01, 2021

Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova bag women's doubles gold

IMAGE: Germany's Alexander Zverev reacts after winning his Olympics gold medal match against Karen Khachanov of the Russian Olympic Committee, at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo, on Sunday. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

World number five Alexander Zverev won the biggest title of his career when he crushed Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-1 on Sunday to win the men's singles gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

 

The 24-year-old, who has yet to win a Grand Slam title, was in stunning form as he demolished Khachanov in 79 minutes to become the first German man to win a singles Olympic gold.

Zverev was flawless throughout and grabbed an early break to cruise to a 3-1 lead in the first set.

There were no signs of any nerves as he broke Khachanov again and bagged the set when his opponent sent an easy volley wide on the German's second set point.

Not even the loud protests of a handful of anti-Olympic demonstrators, booming into Centre Court through a bull horn, could distract Zverev as he broke the hapless Russian again in the second game of the second set.

Long criticised for his perceived mental weakness in big matches, including losing to Dominic Thiem in last year's U.S. Open final when he surrendered a two-set lead, Zverev proved the doubters wrong this time.

He remained in complete control, thundering backhand winners past his opponent who could only look on as he settled for silver.

Zverev became only the second German to win Olympic singles gold, matching Steffi Graff's achievement at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Germany also won Olympic gold in the doubles with Boris Becker and Michael Stich at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Czech team wins women's doubles gold over Swiss pair

IMAGE: The Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova celebrate after winning their Olympics women's doubles gold medal match against Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic and Belinda Bencic. Photograph: Stoyan Nenov/Reuters

Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova beat Switzerland's Belinda Bencic and Viktorija Golubic 7-5, 6-1 in the women's doubles tennis final in Tokyo on Sunday to clinch their country's first Olympic gold in the sport.

The victory for the top-seeded Czech team and three-time Grand Slam champions put an end to Bencic's dream of making it a Swiss double golden success, after she triumphed in the women's singles final a day earlier over Krejcikova and Siniakova's compatriot Marketa Vondrousova.

But it helps continue a dream summer for Krejcikova who took home both the women's singles and doubles trophies at this year's French Open. She and Siniakova also won the 2018 French Open and Wimbledon.

Brazilians Laura Pigossi and Luisa Stefani won the bronze on Saturday, claiming their country's first tennis medal with a win over Veronika Kudermetova and Elena Vesnina of the Russian Olympic Committee.

 

Source: REUTERS
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