2012 OLYMPICS: SHARAPOVA VS. WILLIAMS, FEDERER VS. MURRAY IN TENNIS SINGLES FINALS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 04 Aug 2012
Maria Sharapova entered the women's singles tennis final with a win over fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko, 6-2, 6-3. The pretty third seed, playing in her first Olympic Games, carried Russia's flag during the opening ceremony. With her overpowering serves Sharapova was so forceful in the first set.
The 14th seed Kirilenko, was a quarter-finalist during last month?s Wimbledon, had some moments of stiff competition in the second set and was a break ahead at 3-2, but Sharapova, the 2012 French Open titlist, answered with wins of four games in a row enroute to her second match point.
In the final Sharapova will face 2012 Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, who prevailed with a 6-1 6-2 win over world number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. They met during the semifinals of the Wimbledon 2012, where Azarenka put up a good fight, but in the Olympics it was Williams who was so dominant.
Williams and Sharapova will now face each other for the gold medal and also for the record to become only the second woman after Steffi Graf to win all four grand slams and the Olympic title in their career. Kirilenko and Azarenka will face in the bronze medal match.
Roger Federer of Switzerland will face Andy Murray of Great Britain in the men's tennis singles final, a rematch of last month's Wimbledon championship. Federer gained a final seat when he defeated Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina, 3-6 7-6 (7/5) 19-17.
The semi-final match took four hours and 26 minutes, and it broke the time of Rafael Nadal's victory over Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the 2009 Madrid Masters as the longest three-set men's singles match in the Open era.
Federer, who won gold in the men's doubles with Stanislas Wawrinka in 2008, is now guaranteed at least a silver medal, while Del Potro must recover to battle for bronze medal. Murray advanced to the final after a radiant 7-5 7-5 victory over Djokovic in the second semi-final match.
Murray has never beaten Djokovic at a grand slam tournament, but his great Wimbledon run took its energy into the Olympics and he played amazingly in his victory over Nicolas Almagro of Spain. Djokovic posted a big challenge, but Murray was so persistent for the win and the opportunity to a showdown with Federer, the number one men?s player in the world.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026