RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Monica Puig is trying to accomplish something no one from her country has ever done. Angelique Kerber is seeking to achieve the sort of thing she's already done this year.
They play each other Saturday for the Olympic gold medal in women's tennis. Puerto Rico's Puig, ranked 34th in the world, is the upstart in every way. Kerber, the Australian Open champion, is starting to look very comfortable in the role of favorite.
The 22-year-old Puig will become just the ninth athlete from Puerto Rico to win an Olympic medal in any sport — and if she beats a Grand Slam champion for the third time in four matches, she will be the island's first gold medalist.