Andy Murray wins historic US Open

Andy Murray found the going tough

On his fifth attempt, Andy Murray finally managed to win his maiden Grand Slam at the US Open.

The British No.1 battled for over four hours on Arthur Ashe court to defeat defending champion Novak Djokovic 7-6 (12-10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2.

The win ends a 76-year wait for a British men’s Grand Slam winner and ends a run of four consecutive losses for Murray in Slam finals.

In one of the highest finals you’re ever likely to witness, Murray was made to dig deep after almost letting a two-set lead slip.

The match opened up with consecutive breaks as both players battled with nerves and the gusty wind.

Djokovic showed in his semi-final match against David Ferrer that the Atlantic winds can cause him considerable trouble whilst on court. And with a strong breeze blowing across Arthur Ashe court, the Serb struggled with all aspects of his game.

His serve was broken twice in his opening service games and his groundstrokes were either ballooning up in the middle of the court or sailing long in the breeze.

That handed Murray a 4-2 lead and the Olympic gold medalist looked primed to claim the opening set. But as long as the deficit remained at just one break, Djokovic was still comfortably alive and he battled back almost immediately.

All that was required from the world No.2 was a release of anger into one of his racquets before going on to hold serve and claiming the break back for 4-4.

The range that had escaped him earlier was now back in full flow and the Serb was creating the acute angles that have made him the world’s top hard court player over the past couple of years.

Both men held serve from then on to take the set into a tie-break that was of the highest order. A mix of gruelling rallies and delicate drop shots delighted the star-studded crowd, except Murray’s box who saw their man throw away a set point – his second of the breaker - with an easy backhand into the net.

Three more set points came and went for Murray and it looked like he was wasting his chance to take a vital early lead. But on his sixth attempt at taking the set the Brit finally forced the Serb into a return that sailed long, ending a tie-break that will be remembered for years to come.

The winner of the first set in the past 13 matches between the two has gone on to win the match - a stat that again proved crucial - as Murray used the momentum to immediately break Djokovic in the second set.

That helped the No.3 seed jump out to a 3-0 lead as the defending champion’s game started to, again, fall apart.

Another break soon followed for Murray, who had just one unforced error in the set. But falling behind 4-0 freed up Djokovic who started to strike his groundstrokes with more authority and he sent a reminder to the Brit, by breaking, that he wasn’t going to give his title without a fight.

And fight he did as he broke Murray for a second time in the set before holding serve to draw level at 5-5 – the groundstrokes now being stuck with far more purpose.

But coming from behind so often eventually takes its toll on a player, even one who already has five Grand Slam titles to his name. Trailing 5-6, nerves began to play on the Serb’s mind and he handed Murray two break points, which were converted after a forehand into the corner from Djokovic sailed wide.

Down by two sets Djokovic needed to get his head in front somehow in the third set, and he did just that. He put the pressure on in the first game by forcing two break points – that went unconverted - but followed up with a break when he returned a Murray serve with devastating effect.

Though the five-time Grand Slam champion was made to save a couple of break points he broke Murray again and took a vital set 6-2.

With the wind fully in his sails, and Murray looking lethargic, Djokovic tied up the match by taking the fourth set.

He broke on the Brit’s opening serve of the set and then continued to hold all way until 5-3 when he broke Murray again to level the match.

Djokovic might have had the momentum but Murray had the fight and he showed just how big his heart was in the final set.

In the decider first blood went to Murray, and it was a lead he wouldn't relinquish. Losing focus after getting back on level terms Djokovic played a few too many loose shots to, again, put himself behind.

Despite being on his last legs the British No.1 kept fighting for that elusive maiden Grand Slam. So when he went two breaks up the Scot could have been forgiven for thinking he’d finally done enough for the win.

But back came Djokovic with a break.

However, unlike last time the Serb couldn’t maintain the form and allowed Murray to restore the two-break lead for a 5-2 ladvantage and the opportunity to serve for the championship.

And he didn’t waste his chance as he used up every ounce of reserve energy to go 40-0 up. Though he couldn’t close out with a love service game, Murray forced a Djokovic forehand long and the 76-year wait was over.

Andy Murray ends 76-year wait

Philip Wicinski

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