TENNIS- EMOTIONAL MONICA PUIG MAKES HISTORY AS 1ST PUERTO RICAN TO WIN OLYMPIC GOLD AFTER DISMANTLING GERMANY'S ANGELIQUE KERBER

Monica Puig created history as Puerto Rico's first ever Olympic gold medallist after defeating Angelique Kerber in the women's singles final.

Puig was already guaranteed to be the country's first female medallist and only the ninth athlete ever from the Caribbean archipelago to stand on the podium.

But the 22-year-old, who is ranked 34th in the world, kept her momentum going to win 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 after two hours and nine minutes.

 

 

Puig, ranked 34th in the world, sealed 6-4 4-6 6-1 victory after two hours and nine minutes

Unlike the men's competition, which has had a number of unexpected medallists since the sport was reintroduced to the Games in 1988, the women's tournament has been dominated by the big names.

Fifteen of the world's top 20 were in Rio and it certainly would not have been a surprise if Kerber, the Australian Open champion and world No 2, had walked off with the top prize.

But the German's powers of defence could not match Puig's aggressive gameplan.

Kerber had been expected to join the list of big name winners of the women's tournament

Kerber left the court after the first set for treatment to her lower back and looked like she had turned things round when she levelled the match.

But Puig was in a class of her own in the decider and overcame some late nerves to clinch victory on her fourth match point.

Puig leapt in the air as Puerto Rican fans around the stadium waved their flags jubilantly before collapsing tearfully to the court.

Kerber looked like she had turned things round when she levelled the match

Bronze went to Czech Petra Kvitova, who recovered from the disappointment of losing to Puig in the semi-finals to beat American Madison Keys 7-5 2-6 6-2.

Kvitova has had a very disappointing season and she burst into tears at the moment of victory.

The 26-year-old said: 'The fact that I have a medal from the Olympics is one of the best things which happened in my career.

But the German's powers of defence could not match Puig's aggressive gameplan

'I have my two Wimbledon titles, Fed Cup and WTA (Finals). I'm very proud I could bring it to the Czech Republic.'

There will be a fifth Olympic medal, meanwhile, for Venus Williams after the 36-year-old reached the mixed doubles final with Rajeev Ram.

Williams, the singles champion in Sydney in 2000 and winner of three doubles golds with sister Serena, made early exits from the singles and women's doubles but the mixed has provided an unexpected bonus.

Williams and Ram defeated India's Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza and will play fellow Americans Jack Sock and Bethanie Mattek-Sands for gold.