The Hindu : Sport / Olympic Games : Golden double for Nicolas Massu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 24, 2004

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Sport - Olympic Games

Golden double for Nicolas Massu

By Kamesh Srinivasan

ATHENS, AUG. 23. Chilean Nicolas Massu realised a dream as he won the men's singles gold medal beating Mardy Fish of the U.S. 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in four hours at the Olympic tennis centre here on Sunday night.

It was the second gold medal for Massu, following his doubles title win partnering Fernando Gonzalez. It was also the second ever gold medal for Chile that had earlier won a singles bronze through Gonzalez.

He was tired after many hours on court, and was really wobbly at times, ready to collapse. Yet, when Massu eventually fell on the ground, looking heavenwards, it was to celebrate his second gold.

"To win two gold medals, it is incredible. It is too much in two days. I really can't take it in. I can't absorb it'', said Massu.

The 24-year-old 10th seed had beaten a string of quality players, Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil, Vincent Spadea of the U.S., Igor Andreev of Russia, the third-seeded Carlos Moya of Spain and Taylor Dent of the U.S. along the way to the title.

"I was so tired, I could not move really good, I could not serve. It was so difficult to concentrate. When I lost the third set, I thought that I would lose the match, because I could not move. But I always have faith in myself that I am going to win the match. When I won the fourth set, it was like having a second life'', said Massu.

The Chilean had nothing much to show except for carrying the national flag during the opening ceremony of the Sydney Games, but will have plenty of memories from this Games.

"Chile is a small country but tennis is one of the best sporting events. Now that Marcelo Rios has retired, we will try to continue with the good results'', he said.

Chilean tide

Two years ago, Fish had beaten Massu in straight sets in a second round encounter at Long Island, in the only previous meeting between the two, but on this day Fish just could not swim against the Chilean tide.

"I felt like I had the match in my hands. Two sets to one is a pretty commanding lead. And he looked so tired in the third set'', said Fish, who had no option but to reconcile himself to the silver medal.

"It is definitely a week that I will never forget. I am glad that I can add to the tally of medals that the U.S. has won. China is on our heels, I think'', Fish said.

"Massu won two gold medals. That is unbelievable. It is one of the greatest, you obviously can't have a better week'', Fish said.

It was the third final in the season for Fish, following his defeats to the world No.1 Roger Federer in Halle and his doubles partner and world No. 2 Andy Roddick in San Jose.

"I came into this tournament trying to get a medal. I kind of thought that maybe my better chance would have been in doubles with Andy. We had a tough draw and went down there'', said Fish. The Americans were beaten by the fifth-seeded Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi in straight sets in the first round.

Earlier, Ting Li and Tian Tian Sun won China's first tennis medal, the women's doubles gold.

They defeated favourites and second-seeded Conchita Martinez and Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain 6-3, 6-3.

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