Monica Puig wins women's tennis final, the first Olympic gold for Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig defeated Germany’s Angelique Kerber in 6–4, 4–6, 6–1 to win Olympic gold in women’s singles on Saturday.
Puig, ranked No. 34 on the WTA tour, won the first set 6–4 before Kerber had to head to the locker room for a medical timeout afterward. The German returned stronger, taking the second set 6–4, before falling apart in the third.
Puig undoubtedly played her best tennis in Rio. The 22-year-old, who upset French Open champion GarbineMuguruza in the first round, has never reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal in her young career. She’s made strides this season, reaching the third round at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Kerber entered on a roll, winning the Australian Open and reaching the Wimbledon final, where she fell to Serena Williams. She was the favorite over Puig.
Puig has never advanced to a quarterfinal at a major, and becomes Puerto Rico’s first female medalist. She is the first athlete in any sport from Puerto Rico to capture gold at the Olympics.
