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Federer defeats Murray to make more Wimbledon history

Other News Materials 9 July 2012 00:01 (UTC +04:00)
Roger Federer won a seventh Wimbledon title on Sunday as he defeated Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 and destroyed the decades-long home title dream for British tennis, dpa reported.
Federer defeats Murray to make more Wimbledon history

Roger Federer won a seventh Wimbledon title on Sunday as he defeated Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 and destroyed the decades-long home title dream for British tennis, dpa reported.

Federer claimed an all-time record 17th Grand Slam singles trophy and will return to the world number one ranking on Monday. His seven Wimbledon titles put him level with Pete Sampras, who won his last a decade ago.

Murray was the first Briton to play a Wimbledon final since Bunny Austin in 1938 and had been hoping to become the first home winner since Fred Perry in 1936, more than three-quarters of a century ago.

The Scot's tears welled up after taking the loss in just three hours, 24 minutes, saving a first match point but sending a return long as Federer fell to the grass in joyous amazement.

The match turned after a third-set rain interruption forced the Centre Court roof to be closed, creating the indoor atmosphere where the Swiss player's lethal game thrives. When they came back out it was all Federer as his game lifted for the occasion.

Federer won his 75th career title and his fifth of the season to lead the ATP. He levelled his record with Murray at 8-8 after beating the Scot in a third Grand Slam final (US Open 2008, Australian Open 2010), but with Murray finally winning a set.

"I played some of my best tennis in the last couple of matches," said the 30-year-old Federer who was troubled by back problems during the fortnight but kept them under control. "It worked out that I played my best in the semi-finals and final.

"I could not be more happy, this trophy feels so familiar. I've missed playing the finals here, it's a great moment.

"It's like this never left me, even though I've gone through some struggles," said the player who ended a Grand Slam title drought lasting two and a half years. "This came at just the right moment.

"To win a seventh here is amazing, it equals me with Pete, who is my hero. It just feels amazing. I was up two sets here a year ago (quarters against Jo- Wilfried Tsonga) and lost, but I never stopped believing."

Federer ended the British dream to leave Murray close to tears during the painful trophy presentation.

"I'm getting closer," said the Scot who had previously stalled in three Wimbledon semi-finals. He then added: "I'm gonna try this (speech) and it's not gonna be easy.

"Congratulations to Roger, he's 30 now and he's not bad for a 30-year-old," joked Murray. "He played a great tournament.

"He struggled early on but he has a lot of fight in him. All of my corner really supported me all the way, it's tough but he did a great job."

Federer got off to a shaky start as he was broken in the first game as nerves seemed to play a role for the winner of the most Grand Slam singles titles in history.

The Swiss quickly put things right as he broke back for 2-all thanks to a backhand winner down the line into the corner followed a point later by a Murray error.

But one slip-up proved fatal for Federer's first-set chances, with Murray forcing a forehand error into the net for a 5-4 lead on a break. The Scot the on his first set ever as he played in his third Grand Slam final with an ace for set points and a service winner. after 57 minutes.

The second set stayed strictly on serve with both men throwing down bombs. Federer saved break points in the fifth game to annul a Murray chance, earning a 3-2 lead.

The Swiss was again tested in the ninth game but survived with an overhead winner, Just when tiebreak seemed inevitable, Murray put a defensive lob long to yield a Federer set point.

The Swiss snapped it up with a drop shot winner at the net to square the sets at one each.

The looming clouds overhead forced the first rain interruption as Federer served for 2-1. After deliberations, officials decided to close the court roof, turning the final into an indoor match.

Once they came back out, it was all Federer as the Swiss broke the Scot in a monster sixth game which lasted 20 minutes through 10 deuces and six break points. Murray finally cracked with a backhand to the net as Federer took 4-2 command.

The Swiss grabbed a two-sets to one lead as he served it out three games later, with Murray' negative body language not helped by several slips on the occasional wet patch on the grass.

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