Beijing - Delighted Roger Federer claimed his first gold medal in three attempts as he and Stan Wawrinka defeated Swedes Simon Aspellin and Thomas Johansson 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 in Saturday's men's doubles final at the Beijing Olympics. "This is a dream moment, even if there is so much pressure," Federer said 48 hours after losing his bid for a singles medal with a quarter-final loss to James Blake.
"But we faced the pressure and did it. We played fantastic so it's a dream come true - almost disbelief to some degree."
Novak Djokovic lifted Serbia's first-ever tennis medal as he won bronze at the expense of Blake, beating the American 6-3 7-6 (7-4) in their play-off match.
"This bronze shines like a gold. I have played pretty good tennis all the tournament," the delighted winner said. "To win an Olympic medal is a huge achievement."
The men's singles final will wrap up the event, with Rafael Nadal facing Chiles Fernando Gonzalez on Sunday.
Dinara Safina and Russian compatriot Elena Dementieva will square off for the women's honours after both rolled through to the finals in straights sets.
Safin won her 15th straight match as she defeated the only Chinese woman in history to get this far at the games, Li Na, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5.
The number six Russian will take a 5-2 record - including three victories in 2008 - into her gold medal match with Dementieva, who put out countrywoman Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
Zvonareva has shown huge dedication after only coming into the Russian fold when Maria Sharapova was unable to play due to a shoulder injury.
Dementieva, silver medallist in Sydney eight years ago, called the Beijing showing "a huge moment for our country."
Safin played through fatigue in an Olympic schedule compromised by rain during the week.
She had a mere 12 hours between a losing doubles match which finished at almost 4 am and taking to the court for the singles challenge later on Saturday.
"I had to play three matches in less than 24 hours," she complained. "I was angry about that, but I focussed it all on the court. I knew that the crowd would be against me.
"But it didn't matter, she said after beating the Chinese player.
