Santiago 2023 - Tokyo bronze medallist Laura Pigossi takes women's tennis title at Pan Am Games
Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina claimed the men's gold
Tennis
Tokyo 2020 women's double bronze medallist Laura Pigossi of Brazil defeated Argentina's Lourdes Carle 6-2, 6-3 Sunday evening (29 October 2023) to claim Pan American Games women's tennis singles gold.
Two-time Youth Olympic Games medallist Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina claimed the men's title, beating Tomas Barrios of Chile, 6-3, 7-6.
In the opening set of the women's final, Pigossi broke early for a 2-0 lead after Lourdes had to be attended to by the trainer at 0-15 in her opening service game. Pigossi consolidated the break a game later for a 3-0 lead.
The duo exchanged easy holds for 4-1.
Pigossi seemed on the verge of taking a second break with a big forehand winner and a double fault from Carle setting up two break points. But, Carle refused to go away, winning the game for 4-2.
The seventh game of the first set went to deuce before Pigossi put it away for 5-2. With Carle serving to stay in the match, she had game point but Piggosi didn't back down, coming back to take the game - and the first set in just 49 minutes.
Pigossi again got an early break in the second set, racing to a 4-1 lead. She had a tough hold at 5-2, forcing Carle to once again serve to stay in the match - and she did, pushing it to 5-3, before Pigossi won the final game at love.
Earlier in the day, Argentina's Julia Riera captured bronze, defeating Canada's Rebecca Marino.
Diaz Acosta was not only fighting Barrios for men's gold - but a vocal homecrowd that unequivocally threw its support behind their compatriot.
After a tight opening two games, Diaz Acosta broke for a 3-1 lead and held his serve minutes later to go up 4-1.
In game seven, Diaz Acosta slammed an overhead to go up 5-2.
Barrios, a 2020 Olympian, responded to the do-or-die moment with the help of a crowd so loud he had to wave off their cheering before his first serve. He held for 5-3.
Diaz Acosta appeared to be in trouble as Barrios was up 40-0, but Diaz Acosta fought off four break points before putting away the game and first set.
A tight second set saw a tight tie-break deciding the gold medal. Barrios had an early mini-break to go up 3-1, but Diaz Acosta pulled it back on serve for 3-2. They pair remained on serve until 6-5 for Diaz Acosta with Barrios to serve on championship point. Diaz Acosta took the point and the gold medal.
Brazil's Gustavo Heide was the bronze medallist.