n 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 bee

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. Authentic Football Jerseys For Sale .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. Football Jerseys Outlet . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. http://www.cheapfootballjerseyssale.com/ . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. Cheap Football Jerseys China . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. Wholesale Football Jerseys . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans.Leicester City can win the Premier League by beating Manchester United on Sunday, but Riyad Mahrez does not believe the title race is over just yet. The Foxes enter the final stages of the Premier League as favourites despite starting as 5000/1 outsiders after a miraculous escape from relegation last season.Mahrez insists he and his team-mates are remaining calm as they approach the final three games, insisting they are just enjoying their fairytale moment and are refusing to let pressure ruin their moment. It is not done yet, Mahrez told the Daily Telegraph. We have to keep going and focus on every game because it is difficult. Simpson: Well do it without Vardy Danny Simpson is confident Leicester can overcome the suspension of Jamie Vardy. We dont need to be nervous. This is just a bonus for us. Nobody expected us to be where we are so this is a bonus. If we do it, we do it. If not, thats life, the Algerian, 25, added.Like I said, we are not a big club. We dont have to win the Premier League. Mahrez and Leicester can win the title with victory at Old Trafford on Sunday Despite their doubters, Leicester have been top of the table since late January and have rarely faltered in their charge for the title. They have lost only three games in the league and Mahrez has accredited this to the focus among the squad.I speak a lot with NGolo Kante and maybe January we started to talk about the league. We just said: Imagine if..., he added. Mahrez: The ultimate bargain? Riyad Mahrez is the cheapest PFA Player off the Year since the 1990s.dddddddddddd But that was only for about 30 seconds and then we would say: No, lets stay focused and lets see. It was still a long way to go. Maybe 15 games to go.Nowadays, we are like: Its not done yet because Tottenham are very close to us. Speaking on Sky Sports News HQ, Chris Powell and Alan Smith compliment Riyad Mahrez Leicester City could win their first league title this Sunday when they travel to Old Trafford to play Manchester United, live on Sky Sports 1. 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