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Roger Federer inflicted a straight-sets defeat on Andy Murray in the final of the Australian Open this morning to deny the Scot a maiden grand-slam title.
The 28-year-old Swiss won his sixteenth grand-slam title and fourth at Melbourne Park 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11) in two hours and 41 minutes under the lights of Rod Laver Arena.
Federer paid tribute to Murray's display throughout the tournament and insisted the Scot's time will come.
"Well done for your incredible tournament," the Swiss said. "You played fantastic and you're too good of a player not to win a grand slam, so don't worry about it."
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Federer was thrilled to triumph once more. He added: "Winning this again, I played some of the best tennis of my life these past two weeks. This is a very special moment, a first grand slam as a father."
Murray was made to pay for an anxious start as he allowed the world No 1 to coast through the opening two sets before finally providing stubborn resistance in the third.
But after grabbing the first break in the third set, Murray immediately relinquished his advantage and after an enthralling tie-break, in which the Scot had five set points, his challenge was ended.
The 22-year-old Murray had entered the match in arguably the best form of his career after dropping just one set and eliminating defending champion Rafael Nadal.
He had been able to mix aggression with endeavour to coast through those matches, but he lacked the unrivalled class of the world No 1 this morning and will have to fight on to end Britain’s 74-year wait for a male grand-slam champion.
"Sorry I couldn't do it for you," the tearful 22-year-old told his fans. "I can cry like Roger, it's just a shame I can't play like him.
"I'd like to congratulate Roger. His achievements in tennis are incredible and to keep doing it year after year is pretty special. He was a lot better than me tonight.
"I'd like to thank all you guys, the support I got the whole tournament was great, loved every minute of it and hopefully one year I can come back and win here."
The 28-year-old Swiss won his sixteenth grand-slam title and fourth at Melbourne Park 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11) in two hours and 41 minutes under the lights of Rod Laver Arena.
Federer paid tribute to Murray's display throughout the tournament and insisted the Scot's time will come.
"Well done for your incredible tournament," the Swiss said. "You played fantastic and you're too good of a player not to win a grand slam, so don't worry about it."
function slideshowPopUp(url){pictureGalleryPopupPic(url);re turn false;}Related Links
Multimedia
Federer was thrilled to triumph once more. He added: "Winning this again, I played some of the best tennis of my life these past two weeks. This is a very special moment, a first grand slam as a father."
Murray was made to pay for an anxious start as he allowed the world No 1 to coast through the opening two sets before finally providing stubborn resistance in the third.
But after grabbing the first break in the third set, Murray immediately relinquished his advantage and after an enthralling tie-break, in which the Scot had five set points, his challenge was ended.
The 22-year-old Murray had entered the match in arguably the best form of his career after dropping just one set and eliminating defending champion Rafael Nadal.
He had been able to mix aggression with endeavour to coast through those matches, but he lacked the unrivalled class of the world No 1 this morning and will have to fight on to end Britain’s 74-year wait for a male grand-slam champion.
"Sorry I couldn't do it for you," the tearful 22-year-old told his fans. "I can cry like Roger, it's just a shame I can't play like him.
"I'd like to congratulate Roger. His achievements in tennis are incredible and to keep doing it year after year is pretty special. He was a lot better than me tonight.
"I'd like to thank all you guys, the support I got the whole tournament was great, loved every minute of it and hopefully one year I can come back and win here."
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