Federer wins Australian Open
- Published: 31/01/2010 at 09:53 PM
- Online news: Breakingnews
Roger Federer said he produced one of his finest performances to repulse the challenge of Andy Murray and win his fourth Australian Open and 16th Grand Slam title on Sunday.
Roger Federer has said he produced one of his finest performances to repulse the challenge of Andy Murray and win his fourth Australian Open and 16th Grand Slam title. Federer won the championship 6-3, 6-4, 7-6.
The Swiss master denied the young Scot's quest for British tennis history with a straight sets victory, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13/11) in two hours 41 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
The world number one clinched the win in a gripping 24-point tie-breaker when Murray frittered five set points and the Swiss claimed it on his third match point.
It was Murray's second Grand Slam loss to Federer following his defeat to the him in the 2008 US Open final and continued Britain's frustrating chase for a first male Grand Slam winner since Fred Perry last won 74 years ago.
"I know this is an incredible trip I'm on. We'll see where it ends. I hope not anytime soon," said Federer, who has won all his slams in the span of 27 majors and has lost only six finals in that time.
"That's something I've had to work extremely hard at. Now I feel like obviously I'm being pushed a great deal by the new generation coming up.
"They've made me a better player, because I think this has been one of my finest performances, in a long time, or maybe forever."
Federer's victory made him the fifth man in history to win four Australian Open titles with the last man to do so American Andre Agassi in 2003.
"I haven't put a number on how many Grand Slams I want to try to win. Whatever happens happens," he said.
"I really want to try to enjoy my end to my career, because I've reached already so many goals I thought were never possible."
Murray's voice cracked with emotion and he choked back tears at the trophy presentation.
"I had great support back home, I'm sorry I couldn't do it for you tonight," he said.
"I can cry like Roger, it's just a shame that I can't play like him," he joked. "He was a lot better than me tonight."
It is now 279 Grand Slam tournaments since the last British men's victory when Perry beat American Donald Budge in the 1936 US Open final.
"I don't feel great," Murray added. "Obviously, I worked really hard to get to this stage. I wanted to win the tournament.
"I think it was more the way the end of the match finished. It was a pretty emotional end to the match.
"I think his level is a lot more consistent in the slams."
A shaky Murray was broken in his opening service with Federer hitting a forehand winner, but the Scot broke back straight away with a forehand on double break point.
Federer fought off three break points in the fifth game as Murray got into more of a rhythm, but the Swiss top seed broke again when it counted in the eighth and served out for the set in 43 minutes.
Murray came more under attack in the second set as Federer turned up the heat and broke the Scot in the third game when he netted a forehand.
Murray fought off break points in his next two service games as Federer dictated more of the play and the world number one cruised to three set points and won it on his second point with a forehand.
The young Scot threw down the challenge, breaking Federer in the sixth game but was broken back while serving for the third set.
The set went into a dramatic 24-point tie-breaker with Murray having five chances to take the match into a fourth set and stay alive, and Federer having three match points.
In the end, the cool Swiss prevailed under incredible tension to take the championship when Murray netted a forehand.
About the author
- Writer: AFP News agency
- Position: Agence France-Presse
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