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RIO DE JANEIRO -- When Andy Murray was chosen to be Great Britains flag-bearer last week, he was understandably delighted. But the responsibility appeared to be overwhelming at times. During a team photograph session, a nervous Murray fumbled and wrestled with the flag, coming close to poking Princess Anne in the eye.It was a rough start for Murray, but perhaps, given the sure-footed way he ended up handling his duties on opening night, a telling one.Rio was full of pulsating moments for the 29-year-old Scot, including several occasions in the tennis tournament, when he was near defeat. But as has been his tendency all summer, he flashed workmanlike consistency. He came through each time when it really counted, never more than in the Olympic final, a hard-fought 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 win against Argentinas Juan Martin del Potro.[With] the buildup of emotion the last 10 days, Im just happy I got over the line tonight, Murray said. Tonight was one of the hardest matches I have had to play for a big, big title. Emotionally, it was tough. Physically it was hard. So many ups and downs throughout the match.Much of the tennis played this week was clean and crisp. Del Potros upsets wins against Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were prime examples.Murray versus del Potro was different. This was a battle of attrition. Of mental toughness and smarts. True, there were dozens of incredible moments. Murray consistently retrieved balls that seemed returnable and slapped them for winners. Del Potro hit his forehand with power that often left the crowd gasping.But the tall Argentinian struck 57 unforced errors, and despite his booming serve, he was also broken nine times. And Murray wasnt much better. He had 45 unforced errors of his own, was broken six times and put only 51 percent of his first serves in play -- uncommon for the winner of such an important match.I was tired, Murray said. We played four hours. It was humid and a slower court. I didnt serve well, so that made it tougher. ... I had to find a way to get through it.Make it through, he did indeed. Its becoming a trend.Murrays win set him apart from the competitors to whom he is most closely associated. Nadal has a single gold medal -- from Beijing in 2008, but Roger Federer and Djokovic have never won a singles gold. More than that, Murray achieved history. He is now the first tennis player, male or female, to win back-to-back singles gold medals.It hasnt been easy, because a lot can happen in four years, especially for tennis players, Murray said. We have so many events. Since London, I had back surgery. My ranking dropped a lot during that period, and Ive gone through some tough times on the court as well.The Olympics are unusual for pro tennis players -- and not just because the event is played every four years. There is no prize money, and this year, the tournament did not count toward the official rankings. And yet the prestige that comes with the chance to win Olympic hardware, the chance to shine on the same stage as the best athletes from all over the world, give the tournament deep meaning. You could see it here in the amount of tears shed -- from both winners and losers -- the entire completion. Rio mattered.And for Murray, the tournament firms up his 2016 bona fides. Nobody of late has mounted a sustained challenge to Djokovic for supremacy in the game. We cannot know for sure just yet, but it feels like Murray in current form -- the one that, in the span of two months, has been victorious at both the All England and Rio -- might now have a chance.Djokovic has played amazing tennis the last two years, Murray said. His consistency. ... You know, what I have done for like the last four months, he has been doing for like a whole year. So I need to find a way to keep that going, and the US Open is the next big goal.Since teaming again with Ivan Lendl -- who coached Murray to the Olympic gold medal in the 2012 London Games and then to the Scots first Wimbledon title in 2013 -- he has played with a new resolve. All during Rio, Murray stayed away from the drama, the shouting at his supporters and the questionable display of acting injured in tight moments that has sometimes sapped his mental strength in the past.Just like Lendl did when he dominated the game in the 1980s, Murray dominated in a workmanlike way. In two early matches here, he was down a break in the third set. But each time he stormed back at just the right time.Murray made history on Sunday. But he told the press that during Sundays match, history was far from his mind. He could think of nothing in this last match but survival.By the end of it, both players were struggling to stay afloat. Del Potro walked slowly between points. He often bent over for a few seconds and rested his hands on his knees -- gassed. Then the Argentines fans would begin roaring, chanting his name -- Delpo! Delpo! Delpo! -- and he would play a point full of more slashing forehands.He took advantage of a spate of Murray errors to break serve in the first game of the fourth set. But Murray wouldnt budge. With del Potro looking like he was going to take this match to a deciding set, Murray broke back, held serve and, finally, broke again. Game, set, match. Gold was soon draping around Murrays neck.After the medal ceremony, someone from the stands threw him a British flag. He carefully unfurled it, held it above his head and clutched it closely to his chest. Then he walked off, the flag curling around his wide shoulders, his workmanlike job in Rio done. Cheap Basketball Jerseys 2019 . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Jerseys NBA China . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. http://www.wholesalenbachinajerseys.com/ . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. Wholesale NBA Hoodies . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. Cheap Basketball Jerseys Store . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. Matthew Dale has squared the Highway ledger with Terry Robinson at five-all after Thelittleracketeer scored at Rosehill.The trainers lead the way in the series after Thelittleracketeer won Saturdays Highway Handicap (1100m), which marked the 50th edition of the race.Sent out the $4.60 equal favourite, Thelittleracketeer settled in the midfield with cover before a run emerged at the 200m mark.Under jockey Tommy Berry, the mare kicked clear to finish 1-1/4 lengths ahead of Hesco Gold ($51), which put the same margin on minor placegetter Oakfield Time ($4.60).The horse was beautifully placed today by Matty, Berry said.He really knows how to set one for these Highway races.The lightly raced five-year-old mare, who was formerly trained by Peter Moody, took her wiinning record to four from nine starts.dddddddddddd.She was fresh and put them away really quickly when we got the run, Berry said.I think the best horse won today and a bit of patience paid off.Murwillumbah trainer Matthew Dunn has dominated the race in recent months by winning four Highways, with Hanwritten kicking off his run on September 17.Dale had not tasted victory in the series since January, when Hermosa Beach joined Shadow Affair, Bitburg and Royal Jackpot as winners out of his Canberra stable.Robinson has scored two wins apiece with Kings Officer and Rose Of Man, and Grand Rouge gave him a fifth victory on September 3. 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