Despite how composed she appeared, Bencic said she spent much of it on the edge. In a tense, volatile match filled with sharp momentum swings, Bencic was considerably more disciplined than her opponent and her consistency was rewarded on the biggest points at the close as she won the final three games to take the match. But late on Saturday night in Tokyo, Belinda Bencic stepped into the light and clinched the greatest achievement of her career by becoming an Olympic champion, defeating the Czech Marketa Vondrousova 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.

Tennis: Roger Federer never quite managed to achieve it, nor did Martina Hingis, Stan Wawrinka, Patty Schnyder or many of the notable Swiss players before her. I know how I’m feeling when I’m running, can I push or can I not push? I’d love to give a good shot but it does depend on how the other parts of the race have gone on and where I am in terms of comparison to them, and what time we’re running. Muir said: “I’m in the greatest shape of my life. Since then she has become a quadruple indoor champion, a European champion in 2018 and claimed silver at the World Indoor Championships. Muir takes another shot at the 1500m after disappointment in Rio where she sat third with 200m left but faded to finish seventh.

Running came in handy for that, I thought that was quite funny.” I’d catch the lambs, because I was quick, and then we’d spray them, and then I would hop back on and we’d be off again.

“We had a great system, me and the farmer: he would drive the quad bike and at the last minute, I would jump off. Photograph: Chris Cooper/Action Plus/REX/Shutterstock Laura Muir after winning the 1500m at the Diamond League grand prix in Gateshead in May.

4x400m relay olympic games tokyo 2020