Andy Murray led the way as our south west London athletes continued to strive for Rio Olympics success on day four of the Games yesterday.
Murray beat Argentina’s Juan Monaco with a 6-3, 6-1 win, lining him up for a third round clash with Italy’s Fabio Fognini today.
The two-time Wimbledon champion said: “I played pretty well. I hit the ball well from the back of the court.
“I didn’t make many unforced errors and it was a good match.”
Weybridge’s Marcus Watson scored the winning try in the men’s rugby sevens as Team GB beat Japan 21-19 in their second group game.
The third try for Team GB was cancelled out by Japan after the final buzzer, but a missed conversion with the game’s final kick gave Britain the win by two points.
Putney’s Dan Bibby scored two tries in their first game against Kenya where the team, also including Wandsworth’s Tim Mitchell and Harlequins’ Ollie Lindsay-Hague, won 31-7.
In the men’s double sculls, Twickenham’s John Collins and partner John Walton secured a place in the final after coming third in a race with New Zealand, Croatia and Norway.
Collins said: “If I get hit by a bus tomorrow, I will die happy. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.
“A chance to race for that gold medal, that’s all I’ve ever wanted in life.”
In the men’s lightweight four, London Rowing Club’s Mark Aldred and his teammates were unable to progress to the final after finishing fourth to Italy, New Zealand and France.
The British crew were chasing a medal after coming second in the European Championships last year.
There was disappointment for Putney Town Rowing Club’s Charlotte Taylor as she narrowly missed out on a semi-final place in the women’s lightweight double sculls repechage.
Finishing third to USA and Japan, Taylor and defending Olympic champion Kat Copeland were unable to reignite their 2015 form — when they won European Championship gold and World Championship silver.
In the men’s hockey, Team GB thrashed Brazil 9-1, despite conceding within the first three minutes.
Wimbledon Hockey Club’s Michael Hoare, Ian Slone and Croydon-born Henry Weir feature in the hockey squad, who will play Australia tomorrow at 00:30.
Wandsworth’s Bryony Shaw now stands at 10th overall after six races, finishing seventh, 14th and 12th in her three races in the women’s windsurfing regatta.
