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Finally the 76 year wait for a British Grand Slam winner is over. British tennis fans had to stay up until the early hours of this morning to watch Andy Murray win his first Grand Slam title defeating Novak Djokovic in a five-set-thriller, 7-6 (12-10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 , to win the US Open in four hours and 54 minutes. Emulating the achievement of Fred Perry 76 years to the day since his US open victory.
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| Judy Murray and Andy's Girlfriend Kim Sears show their delight |
As Djokovic's forehand went long on Championship point Murray sank to his knees by the corner of the court, head in hands, as he realised what he had just achieved. His family were exultant and Ivan Lendl was his usual self showing little to no emotion but standing and applauding his man. This win also made sure that Murray would not enter the record books for losing his first 5 Grand Slam finals and raises him to World Number 3 in the rankings.
Many famous Scotsman were in the crowd as both James Bond aka Sean Connery and Sir Alex Ferguson watched on willing Murray to victory.
Murray has grown in strength throughout the year as the 'Lendl' effect has come into play. His run at Wimbledon showed to many that he could do it. His performance at the Olympics was staggering. Weeks after losing a final he was unstoppable. I have never seen him play as well as he did during that tournament. That win gave him so much belief and was the reason why so many tipped him for the US Open. This confidence was added to when Rafael Nadal pulled out due to a knee injury. One of Murray's main rivals out of the running.
Roger Federer then suffered a shock defeat to Tomas Berydch meaning Murray would avoid Federer in the semi-final. People began to say it is his year, it is fate. Then when defending Champion Novak Djokovic's semi-final was suspended to the following day meaning Murray would get an extra day off before the final also seemed to give Murray the advantage.
Both players had to deal with poor conditions as winds caused serving to be proving difficult for both men as they shared breaks early on. But it was Murray that lead 4-2 after a game that included an astonishing 54 shot rally. However it is never easy with Murray and with a player of Djokovic standard mistakes tend to be punished as Djokovic forced a tie-break. Murray had the upper hand in the tie-break and produced some superb shots to win a pulsating but nervy tie-break 12-10 after no less then 6 set points.
Murray started the second set in similar style as he powered to a 4-0 lead breaking Djokovic twice. However again nothing is easy with Murray as the reigning Champion struck back to somehow get back to 5-5. Although Murray broke him again to clinch the set, 7-5, to win the second set. This was the first time he had ever won 2 sets in a Grand Slam final.
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| A tired Djokovic realises its not to be his day |
Being the Champion that he is Djokovic suddenly found his feet as he blitzed Murray to win both the third and fourth sets 6-2 / 6-3. At the end of the fourth it appeared that Murray had lost his way as he was struggling to find his best whereas Djokovic looked on top form. Everything pointed to a Djokovic win.
Although Murray shocked Djokovic at the start of the decider by breaking him. Murray then held before breaking again by producing some defensive play of the highest order. How Murray was getting some of Djokovic's powerful shots back was incredible. A 3-0 lead, British tennis fans began to dream. However again a nervous Murray lost serve and Djokovic held and suddenly it was 3-2. Then in a crucial game Murray held his nerve for 4-2 before Djokovic faltered as he seemed to be struggling to move from tiredness. Murray then stepped up served it out for glory before falling to his knees.
The standard of tennis in this final was incredible and made for amazing viewing. Was it as good as Nadal/Djokovic at the Australian? Maybe not however it was not far off. The ebb and flow, the drama and the sheer brilliance of both players at times was phenomenal.
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| Is this the first of many? |
This is without doubt Murray's greatest achievement and one I did not see coming this year. In my predictions back in February I did not expect Murray to make a final let alone win one. I thought next year would be his year, as Lendl would have had time to really work on his game however it has happened early. Will Murray go on and win 5/6 titles I do not know. There is no doubt that he is in his prime and should be contesting finals over the next two years. His main rival is Djokovic as Federer is past his best despite that being difficult to believe when you watch him sometimes and will retire in the next two years and Nadal has knee problems that will hamper him and I would not be surprised if he retired in the next two years. Murray has a great chance to be very successful and from a British tennis point of view I hope he will be.
His victory means that all top four men players one a grand slam this year.
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