Massu reels in Fish

The 24-year-old, who had not won a single match on a hard court this year coming into the Games, beat American Fish 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 to land the men's singles title in the tennis event.

"I can't believe it ... these have been the best two days of my life," an emotional Massu said.

Fish could hardly believe it either. "He just kept getting better and better," he said. "And more untired."

A medal ceremony, news conference and mandatory dope test had meant Massu had not left the tennis stadium until after 0400 on Sunday morning following his marathon gold medal-winning performance in the men's doubles with Fernando Gonzalez which had started on Saturday night.

On Sunday, he looked simply shattered and, after a strong start, seemed to fade in the warm Greek night as his legs started to cramp.

But the player known to his fans as "the vampire" clearly enjoys his late-night encounters and, thanks to vociferous support and single-minded determination, he closed out a famous victory in exactly four hours.

Tears flowed in the stands and eyes glistened on the medal podium as Massu was joined at the medal ceremony by doubles partner Gonzalez, bronze medallist in the singles event.

"It is a dream, just a dream. I had only four hours sleep last night, I was so tired but in this final I had a second life."

"It is just incredible for Chile. We are a small country and this is amazing.

"All my life I looked up to the Olympics. To be here is enough but to win gold, well ..."