Robert Farah and Anna-Lena Grönefeld reach Wimbledon final, but settle for second place trophy. Photo: Comité Olimpíco Colombia
Robert Farah reaches for a historic first Colombian Wimbledon final, but fails to pick up the title
This weekend Milos Raonic and Angelique Kerber both played in their first Wimbledon finals in the men’s and ladies’ singles tournaments. However, Robert Farah also made it to their first Wimbledon final and in doing so became the first Colombian to appear in a final at the All England Club.
The capital’s own Farah teamed up with German partner Anna-Lena Grönefeld in the mixed doubles final. They were up against the unseeded team of Britain’s Heather Watson and Finnish player Henri Kontinen.
Farah had previously won seven ATP doubles tournaments with usual partner Juan Sebastian Cabal, but the team of Watson and Kontinen, who only joined forces a few weeks ago and had never played a match together before Wimbledon, proved too much for the Colombian and his partner and ran out 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 winners on the famous Centre Court.
Farah should be encouraged by his run to the final and it is ideal preparation for the forthcoming Olympic Games in Rio, in which he will again compete with Juan Sebastian Cabal in the men’s doubles tournament.
Cabal reached the quarterfinals at the All England Club with Colombian Mariana Duque-Mariño, who is still waiting to see whether she has qualified for the Olympic Games or not.
Watson’s victory marked the end of a great day for British tennis as Andy Murray took the men’s singles title, Gordon Reid won the inaugural men’s singles wheelchair event and Jordanne Whiley claimed victory with partner Yui Kamiji in the women’s wheelchair doubles.
By Daniel Tinsley
