Andy Murray knocks out Stanislas Wawrinka to reach the second round – London Olympics
Home favourite, Andy Murray, made a fine start to his bid of winning the gold medal, as he thrashed the world number 24, Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the London Olympics on
Sunday.
The British number one took an hour and 29 minutes to end the challenge of his Swiss rival.
Murray and Wawrinka began stably, as they did not drop their serves in the first seven games and took the score to 4-3 in the former’s favour. The Brit clinched a breakthrough in the eighth and made the most of it to triumph 6-3.
The world number four made the best possible start in the second set, snatching a break in the very first game and consolidating on it to go up 2-0. The following six went with serves, taking the score to 5-3 in Murray’s favour.
Serving to stay in the set at that moment, Wawrinka was up 40-15 but then lost five of the next six points, losing it 3-6.
During the post match press conference, Murray said, "I always enjoy coming back onto the court… I love the atmosphere. A lot of the people that were here today, it would have been their first time to Wimbledon.”
He added, "I practiced against Stan a few times last week [in the build-up to the Olympics] and played really well against him. I’m really up for the tournament. I want to be involved in this event for as long as possible. I’m
going to give it my best shot.”
Murray is playing his first event after the end of Wimbledon, where he lost to Roger Federer in four sets in the final. The Brit was aiming to become the first player from his country since Fred Perry in 1936 to win title at the
All England Club.
The four-time singles Grand Slam finalist partnered his brother, Jamie Murray, for doubles but lost to Austrian duo of Jurgen Melzer and Alexander Peya in first round on Sunday.
On the other hand, Wawrinka was watched by his doubles partner, Federer, during his match against Murray. The Swiss tandem is defending their Gold Medal, which they won in Beijing four years ago.
Wawrinka said, “It’s a little bit like Davis Cup. We try to support each other and we’re going to try to make everything possible in doubles right now.”
Murray is pitted against Finland’s 43rd ranked player, Jarkko Nieminen, in the second round.
Tags: