Sweet 16 for Federer as Murray foiled
Source: Agencies |
February 1, 2010, Monday
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ROGER Federer dismantled Andy Murray in the Australian Open final yesterday to extend his own record to 16 grand slam titles and prolong the British drought.
Federer collected his fourth Australian Open title with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (11) win at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne that, apart from the tiebreaker, lacked the drama and raw emotion of his five-set loss here last year to then No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal.
Last year, Federer sobbed when Rod Laver presented the winners' trophy to Nadal, having missed a chance to equal Pete Sampras' record 14 career majors.
This time, Murray was on the verge of tears, drawing deep breaths as he apologized for failing to end a 74-year-old drought for British men at grand slam tournaments.
"Firstly, congratulations Roger, his achievements in tennis are incredible, to keep doing it year after year is pretty incredible," the 22-year-old Scot said. "He was a lot better than me tonight.
Murray could barely finish his thank-you, explaining: "I can cry like Roger, it's just a shame I can't play like him."
Federer, who had to be consoled by Nadal last year, offered Murray some reassurance this time.
"Well done for your incredible tournament, you played it fantastic," Federer said. "You're too good a player not to win a grand slam, so don't worry about it."
Federer dropped serve only twice in the match and hit 46 winners. He said he felt as good as ever.
"I'm over the moon winning this again. I think I played some of my best tennis in my life these last two weeks.
"This is also special because it's my first grand slam as a father. I'm looking forward to them (his twins) watching me next year maybe."
Federer saved five set points and wasted two match points in the tiebreaker with some uncharacteristic shot selection before clinching it when Murray netted a backhand after 2 hours, 41 minutes.
Murray was desperate to become the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win one of the four tennis majors, but seldom had the answers to Federer's unrivaled finals experience.
He had set a record for British men just by reaching two major finals in the Open era.
Federer was playing in his 22nd grand slam final and 18th of the last 19.
He also beat Murray in straight sets in the 2008 US Open final, the only previous meeting between the pair at a grand slam.
6-5 advantage
Murray still holds a 6-5 advantage over Federer in career head-to-heads - one of only four players who can boast that - but has lost the last three.
The world No. 1, however, was ruthlessly efficient yesterday in dismantling the Scot's game, racing into a two-set lead after he broke serve twice in the opener and once in the second. Murray held a 5-2 lead in the third and with the crowd finding their voice for the 22-year-old, he seemed to be on the verge of mounting a rally. Federer though upped his game to level at 5-5 and then forced a tiebreak which he sealed 13-11 when Murray's backhand hit the net.
In the mixed doubles final, Leander Paes and Cara Black beat Ekaterina Makarova of Russia and Czech Jaroslav Levinsky 7-5, 6-3 for the title.
It was the second grand slam title for India's Paes and Black of Zimbabwe as a pair, following their victory at the 2008 US Open.
Paes has six grand slam doubles titles and five grand slam mixed doubles crowns.
Federer collected his fourth Australian Open title with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (11) win at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne that, apart from the tiebreaker, lacked the drama and raw emotion of his five-set loss here last year to then No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal.
Last year, Federer sobbed when Rod Laver presented the winners' trophy to Nadal, having missed a chance to equal Pete Sampras' record 14 career majors.
This time, Murray was on the verge of tears, drawing deep breaths as he apologized for failing to end a 74-year-old drought for British men at grand slam tournaments.
"Firstly, congratulations Roger, his achievements in tennis are incredible, to keep doing it year after year is pretty incredible," the 22-year-old Scot said. "He was a lot better than me tonight.
Murray could barely finish his thank-you, explaining: "I can cry like Roger, it's just a shame I can't play like him."
Federer, who had to be consoled by Nadal last year, offered Murray some reassurance this time.
"Well done for your incredible tournament, you played it fantastic," Federer said. "You're too good a player not to win a grand slam, so don't worry about it."
Federer dropped serve only twice in the match and hit 46 winners. He said he felt as good as ever.
"I'm over the moon winning this again. I think I played some of my best tennis in my life these last two weeks.
"This is also special because it's my first grand slam as a father. I'm looking forward to them (his twins) watching me next year maybe."
Federer saved five set points and wasted two match points in the tiebreaker with some uncharacteristic shot selection before clinching it when Murray netted a backhand after 2 hours, 41 minutes.
Murray was desperate to become the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win one of the four tennis majors, but seldom had the answers to Federer's unrivaled finals experience.
He had set a record for British men just by reaching two major finals in the Open era.
Federer was playing in his 22nd grand slam final and 18th of the last 19.
He also beat Murray in straight sets in the 2008 US Open final, the only previous meeting between the pair at a grand slam.
6-5 advantage
Murray still holds a 6-5 advantage over Federer in career head-to-heads - one of only four players who can boast that - but has lost the last three.
The world No. 1, however, was ruthlessly efficient yesterday in dismantling the Scot's game, racing into a two-set lead after he broke serve twice in the opener and once in the second. Murray held a 5-2 lead in the third and with the crowd finding their voice for the 22-year-old, he seemed to be on the verge of mounting a rally. Federer though upped his game to level at 5-5 and then forced a tiebreak which he sealed 13-11 when Murray's backhand hit the net.
In the mixed doubles final, Leander Paes and Cara Black beat Ekaterina Makarova of Russia and Czech Jaroslav Levinsky 7-5, 6-3 for the title.
It was the second grand slam title for India's Paes and Black of Zimbabwe as a pair, following their victory at the 2008 US Open.
Paes has six grand slam doubles titles and five grand slam mixed doubles crowns.
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