Highlights: Federer wins seventh title
Wimbledon 2012: Andy Murray beaten by Roger Federer in final
Andy Murray's bid to win Wimbledon was ended by Roger Federer as the Swiss claimed a record-equalling seventh SW19 triumph and 17th Grand Slam title.
Murray, 25, was aiming to become the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to lift a major singles trophy.
Murray's tears in defeat
But 30-year-old Federer won 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 on Centre Court to match the mark set by Pete Sampras and reclaim the world number one ranking.
A tearful Murray has now lost all four of his Grand Slam finals.
He was the first Briton to contest the Wimbledon men's singles final since Bunny Austin in 1938, but fell just short of the ultimate goal.
"Everybody always talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon, but it's not the people watching - they make it incredible," said a tearful Murray in the wake of his defeat.
"There are mixed emotions. Most of them are negative. The reaction from the crowd was great. I felt like I was playing for the nation and I couldn't quite do it."
Match analysis
"I have been in the same position as Murray at the Australian Open. I couldn't make a speech and it's really tough. Andy played great tennis. The match was played at an unbelievably high standard. Murray will win this title. I said it might not be this year but I wouldn't put money against him next year. He is improving all the time."
Federer fully deserved his victory, which not only sees him level Sampras on seven Wimbledon titles, but also secures him a record 286th week as world number one.
He is the second-oldest man to occupy top spot, goes away with a cheque for £1.15m and will head to the Olympics - also being staged at the All England Club - as clear favourite.
Murray, who collects the £575,000 runner-up prize, now shares his coach Ivan Lendl's unenviable record of losing his first four Grand Slam finals.
Having made poor starts in each of the previous three - all of which ended in straight-sets defeats - Murray knew it was vital to secure the early momentum.
All was going to plan as a couple of pummelling backhands down the line, a tactic many highlighted pre-match, helped Murray break in the opening game and then consolidate the advantage for a 2-0 lead.
Federer looked uneasy with the pace his opponent was setting and began deploying sliced groundstrokes to slow things down.
A backhand landed on the baseline to engineer a break-back point in game four, and he converted it when Murray found the net.
Match stats
| Murray | Federer | |
|---|---|---|
|
16 |
Aces |
12 |
|
133mph |
Fastest serve |
130mph |
|
56% |
First serves |
69% |
|
46 |
Winners |
62 |
|
25 |
Unforced errors |
38 |
|
2/7 |
Break points |
4/12 |
|
24/39 |
Net pts |
53/68 |
Both men needed to serve their way out of trouble as the pressure mounted and, crucially, Murray produced a sensational volley at his feet to save the second of two break points in a 13-minute game eight.
He then struck with the help of a forehand pass that Federer ducked to avoid being hit - reminiscent of the aggression shown by Lendl during his career - and comfortably served out the first set.
Statistically, Murray actually improved in almost every area during the second, but the key difference was that he could not take his chances.
Whereas the 25-year-old converted both break points that came his way in the first set, he let two slip at 2-2 and another two at 4-4.
Federer held for 6-5 before going on the attack, and he came from 40-15 down to level the match with a sensational backhand drop volley.
Heavy rain arrived at at 16:14 BST with Federer 40-0 up in game three of set three, and the prospect of further downpours saw the roof closed.
Murray, having had a shot at sporting immortality, will be haunted by this one for a while. But while it will be of little comfort to him now, another rather different battle might finally have been won.
When play resumed 35 minutes later the Swiss, who destroyed world number one Novak Djokovic indoors on Friday, was vastly superior and put Murray under the cosh in a marathon game five.
Murray was reeled in from 40-0, Federer moving to deuce when the Scot took a heavy tumble at the net, and he slipped again before finally succumbing on a sixth break point.
Federer served out with a crunching ace and averted danger early in the fourth set before striking for 4-2 with a cross-court backhand pass.
He wrapped up his first Grand Slam title since the 2010 Australian Open when Murray hooked a forehand into the tramlines.
"This fortnight was a step in the right direction. I won't go back on the court until my mind is right and I am over the loss," added Murray of his future plans.
"The Olympics is a special event and I want to make sure I am ready. If I play like I did this week I have a good chance of winning a medal."
Federer's winning moment and reaction
Comments
-
Comment number 704. Posted by Gnomercy
on 10 Jul 2012 23:02701.vishal
With respect, you're talking a load of waffle and just churning out the same comments the rest of the armchair experts have been spouting over the last few weeks. Making judgemental opinions about Murray not being an international heavyweight player is pathetic. Wait until he's retired from the game to make such accusations, until then sit back and watch Andy close the gap. -
Comment number 703. Posted by proper_dinlo
on 10 Jul 2012 22:50This comment was removed because it broke the house rules. Explain
-
Comment number 702. Posted by Owlsoflaughter
on 10 Jul 2012 21:46This comment was removed because it broke the house rules. Explain
-
Comment number 701. Posted by vishal
on 10 Jul 2012 21:30with respect charlton, but your illiteracy and ignorance has got the better of you! raygrant, what a silly little comment, really. for the avoidance of doubt, i never said andy was a bad player, he's just not an international heavyweight tennis player. sure he will win tournaments in the future, he just lacks raw talent and nerve to close out a match like a true champion. shame.
-
Comment number 700. Posted by raygrant
on 10 Jul 2012 20:39well said Charlton, he is just a wind up merchant who knows nothing about tennis, shame!
-
Comment number 699. Posted by addickted2charlton
on 10 Jul 2012 19:51Viscal or wotever you are, Andy said Federer was the better player n was nothin but gracious in defeat in the men's final. Tell me wot are you 4th in the world at, oh I forgot spoutin drivel n attackin our best British tennis player. You can only beat the players you get in each rahnd n e beat them all bar one.
-
Comment number 698. Posted by vishal
on 10 Jul 2012 19:27@ raygrant
Your comment neatly encapsulates my point that people like yourself accept low standards for the sake of taking part. You celebrate the fact he cried like a baby after stealing the limelight from a true champion: his route to the final was not tough compared to usual title winners and internationally, he may be good, but with 4 flops in slam finals already, he's not good enough! -
Comment number 697. Posted by raygrant
on 10 Jul 2012 18:45At vishal
If you think getting to a wimbledon final mediocrity then you have high standards, Murray was the first brit to make the final in over 70 years, yea that is mediocrity add another 3 slam finals plus over 20 ATP titles and over 25 million in the bank thats mediocrity. You make me laugh you wind up merchant ha ha ha -
Comment number 696. Posted by magoink
on 10 Jul 2012 16:01Ramilas1.I did not hear Radwanska congratulate or praise Serena once.I thought at time it noticeably impolite.So you think she was more gracious than AM?.I gather he even said sorry later in case people thought his emotional outburst was stealing Federer's limelight.
Some people are now lambasting with less than objective eyes and ears.I hope he does a Novotna on his critics
I think there is
You must sign in to rate comments