Five thoughts on Andy Murray’s victory over Novak Djokovic which took him through to play Roger Federer for the gold medal on Sunday. 
 
So this time Murray cried BEFORE he played Federer. If Murray was not quite as emotional as he had been after this summer’s Wimbledon final, he plainly showed how much he cared in the moments after beating Djokovic. So both finalists have been teary after their semi-final victories – Federer even kissed the Swiss flag on his shirt – which was yet another indication of how the players feel about the Olympics. Whatever happens on Sunday, Murray and Federer will each win a first singles medal, and it is bound to be emotional. 
 
A Centre Court crowd have never generated as much noise as they did when Murray’s progress into the final was assured. 
 
There is the sense that there’s more on the line than a gold medal – if Murray were to win the Olympics, that could give him the push hs needs to become a grand slam champion. 
 
Should Murray beat Federer, there will be renewed debate about how an Olympic gold compares to a slam. 
 
Darren Cahill called the quality of the second men’s semi-final “crazy good” and no one was going to take issue with that. “I have to admit,” said Cahill, who has worked with Murray in the past, “that the best-of-three format adds more urgency to the match.” Following Federer’s match against Del Potro on Centre Court was never going to be easy. But Serena Williams managed it – she crushed Victoria Azarenka. And then so did Murray and Djokovic. Right from the start, they were playing with purpose. And smacking the ball. It makes you wonder whether the slams should consider shortening their men’s matches.