ITF

T he Games of the XXXI Olympiad saw a string of captivating moments on the field of play against its arresting backdrop of mountains and beaches, but few sports at Rio 2016 saw excitement with such regularity as the tennis. The sport, just like its striking wins for both Andy Murray and Monica Puig. The latter's triumph, in particular, read like a fairytale. Puig upset three Grand Slam champions – Garbine Muguruza, Petra Kvitova and Angelique Kerber – on her way to recording by far the biggest sporting achievement her country has red-and-yellow coloured Centre Court that enjoyed a prominent position near the entrance to the Barra Olympic Park, stood loud and proud in the carnival capital. The Olympic Tennis Event was littered with thrilling matches, stunning upsets and even relative home success, and highlighted by historic singles ever seen. Indeed, the world No. 34 managed to clear the streets back in Puerto Rico, as a large majority of the 3.4 million population in her homeland crowded around televisions to watch the 22-year-old capture the nation's first-ever Olympic gold medal. The first woman from the Images, left to right: Bronze medallist Petra Kvitova An Olympic fan Angelique Kerber took silver for Germany Monica Puig created history as Puerto Rico's first Olympic gold medallist North Caribbean island to win any kind of medal at a Games, Puig ended her incredible week by defeating Kerber, the season's standout player, with yet another fearless display. She cracked 54 winners in a 64 46 61 final victory that was fuelled by the flag upon her chest, as much as anything else.

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