RIO 2016

By BRANDON HURLEY

Sports Editor 

sports@beeherald.com

A valiant Olympic effort by Australian tennis player Chris Guccione was a brief one, as the Jefferson resident and his partner, John Peers fell in first round doubles action at the 2016 Rio Olympics Saturday, Aug. 6 in straight sets (2-0). 

Argentina’s win didn’t come easy, as Juan Martin del Potro and Maximo Gonzalez won each set by just two games, 6-4 in the opening set and 7-5 in the second and final set. 

The first round match was brisk, played in just over an hour. The first set took 33 minutes while the 12 game second set lasted 43 minutes. 

The Argentinians won 64 total games to Australia’s 54, showing how close the match actually was.  

In fact, the Aussie duo produced more winners (27-26) and aces (4-3) than their opponents but double faulted twice compared to not one double fault from Argentina. 

The two teams were close in unforced errors as well, as Argentina accumulated 10 to Australia’s 11 though seven of Australia’s errors came in the decisive second set. 

Peers is ranked 18th in the world in doubles while Guccione is ranked 44th. 

del Potro rode his round one doubles victory to an upset in singles play, as he defeated world No. 1, Novak Djokovic in straight sets Sunday, 2-0. 

But, the Argentina duo lost in the second round Monday, falling 2-1 to Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez. 

del Potro continued his hot singles play and defeated Portugal’s Joao Sousa 2-1 in the second round Monday. He was set to take on Daniel Taro of Japan in Wednesday’s third round match.