Russians Makarova/Vesnina Win Women’s Doubles Gold In Rio, Beat Bacsinszky/Hingis

Russian duo of Ekatarina Makarova and Elena Vesnina won Olympic gold today in the women’s doubles beating the Swiss team of Timea Bacsinszky and Martina Hingis 6-4, 6-4 in Rio.

“We wanted the Olympic medal, especially gold medal of course, since we were juniors,” said Makarova. “It was our dream from the kids. We really wanted to have a medal of Olympics.

“It’s much more for us than the Grand Slam. We were all the time talking about that, that Grand Slams are great tournaments, we’re so happy that we won two Grand Slams, but the Olympic Games for us means much more. We are playing for our country. We won the gold medal. It’s an amazing feeling. Our dream came true.”

The Russians won their first medal as a team after winning the 2013 French and the 2014 US Opens on the main tour.

Bacsinszky and Hingis were playing their first event as a team, and their second Olympics. They each won their first medal.

“If it doesn’t touch you at the Olympic Games, where does it want to touch you?” Hingis said. “I think this is the moment we can let go all the stress after this week. It’s done and over. All the happiness and emotions come through to you. I think that’s only human. That’s who we are. We’re proud of that, as well.”

The bronze medal in women’s doubles went to Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova who beat Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Safarova 7-5, 6-1.