Monica Puig has become the first Puerto Rican tennis player in history to win an Olympic medal after stunning Petra Kvitova 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, in the semifinals.
The proceedings started with a game of cat and mouse. Kvitova broke for 3-0 to start the match off before Puig pulled back to 3-3. From this point until the end of the set, it was Top 10 level tennis on both sides of the court. Even though both players are hard hitters, there were still plenty of long rallies, thanks to the slow courts in Rio. Puig had the edge over Kvitova, with the greater movement that she was displaying. Puig got a clean break for 5-4, and served it out for 6-4.
Kvitova redeemed herself in the second set after grabbing a quick break in the second set. Instead of Puig breaking back like in the first set, the Czech took a 5-0 lead. Puig saved a set point on her serve, but Kvitova eased to 6-1.
The final set brought a change, as Puig started the set off with a break, only to be broken back immediately. From 3-2 an unexpected string of breaks occurred, with Puig emerging on top, serving for the match. The Puerto Rican served the match out after 1 hour and 58 minutes.
In the final, the world No.34 will be the underdog, whether she faces Angelique Kerber or Madison Keys. With this win, Puig is the first Puerto Rican woman to win a medal at the Olympics. If she emerge from the final victorious, it will be the first gold medal ever for Puerto Rico.
Speaking with the media following her semifinal victory, the 22-year-old attributed her win to a higher power.
Doubles disappointment for Safarova and Strycova
There was more commiseration for Czech tennis fans after doubles team Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova crashed out. In their semifinal match, they were met with the well established Russian team of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina, the 7th seeds. The match was looking great for the Czechs, as they got a 4-1 lead. Then followed an incredibly long game, which is what accounted for the first set lasting 82 minutes, more than most doubles matches on the tour last. Makarova and Vesnina broke back to 4-4, and eventually headed into a first set tiebreak. Safarova and Strycova had set points at 6-5 and 7-6, and one of them was even on serve. Russia saved both set points at took the tiebreak 9-7.
Makarova and Vesnina broke to 2-0 after a long game, but the Czechs broke right back, and all players held their serves until 5-4. The Russians had 0-40 at 4-5, and after taking the second match point, they won the match 7-6(7) 6-4 after 2 hours and 14 minutes. The Czech Republic still has a shot at gold, as the silver medallist from London, Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka are yet to play their semifinal match. This also means, that the Czech Republic has a guaranteed medal in women’s doubles.
