Murray & Serena begin Gold defence in style

Let the seemingly impossible begin. Andy Murray and Serena Williams have kicked off their campaigns to become the first tennis players in the history of the Modern Olympics to defend their singles Gold medals.

Will it be a tall order?

We’ll give you a definitive answer in seven days time, but for the No.2 and No.1 seeds respectively it has all started well.

The men’s action
The natural flow of this article is about to be interrupted by the bombshell that was Juan Martin del Potro beating Novak Djokovic 7-6(4) 7-6(2). The Argentine took the match to the World No.1, setting up a second round clash with Joao Sousa.

“It was a great atmosphere and a great match for me. I hit my forehand as hard as I can, I hit a lot of winners,” Delpo said after the match. “I served well and my backhand was okay. I tried just to put in court the ball and put in good slices as well. I didn’t expect to beat Novak tonight. It’s an amazing night for me.”

Now back to the normal flow… If Viktor Troicki was a lurking banana skin for Andy Murray, he swept it aside with ease. The Briton cruised through the encounter 6-3 6-2 to book a second round clash with Argentina’s Juan Monaco.

“I’m not defending the gold medal – I keep that,” Murray mused after the match. “I don’t have to give it back. It’s trying to win another medal is what builds the pressure and wanting to do something here is the pressure I am putting on myself.”

Any doubts about Rafa’s wrist were quickly put to bed as the Spaniard walloped Federico Delbonis 6-2 6-1 in his opening singles match. The No.3 seed, who was playing his first match since withdrawing from Roland Garros, admitted that he’s not yet back to 100% (despite entering Singles, Doubles and Mixed in Rio).

“If there was not Olympic Games here I would not be competing,” Rafa admitted, “The wrist need a little more time to be 100% recovered. It’s only one chance every four years and is something unforgettable. I missed London so I didn’t want to miss this one.”

Elsewhere, David Ferrer cruised past Denis Istomin 6-2 6-1; David Goffin negotiated a potentially tricky tie with big serving Sam Groth 6-4 6-2; Benoit Paire needed three sets to see off Lukas Rosol; and Fabio Fognini came back from a set down to beat Victor Estrella Burgos 2-6 7-6(4) 6-0.

The women’s action
While the Americans struggled on Day One of the Olympics, Serena Williams was there to steady the ship on Day Two. The No.1 seed – and overwhelming favourite for the title – came through comfortably against Aussie Daria Gavrilova in the opening round 6-4 6-2.

“The Olympic experience is always different because you’re not the focus,” Serena said after the match. “There’s so many different athletes and my eyes are glued to the TV watching all the different disciplines and everything going on, it’s a totally different experience.”

Like Serena, Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber got her campaign off to a flying start, with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Mariana Duque-Marino. Meanwhile, French Open champion Garbine Muguruza won her maiden Olympic match, beating Andreea Mitu 6-2 6-2.

Elsewhere, Petra Kvitova swept aside Timea Babos 6-1 6-2; Sam Stosur needed three sets to down a dogged Ostapenko 1-6 6-3 6-2; Caroline Wozniacki swpt aside the potentially tricky Lucie Hradecka 6-2 6-2; and Britain’s Jo Konta overcame Stephanie Vogt 6-3 6-1.