Federer Dominates Murray In Aussie Final, Wins 16th Major

Sports News - January 31st, 2010 - Written By John

Andy Murray won't be the first englishman to win a major since 1936. Not even close.

Despite having a plus-.500 career record against Roger Federer, Murray failed to win a set, but put up a fight late in the Australian Open final, losing straight sets to no. 1-ranked Federer 6-3,6-4,7-6 (11) on Sunday. It was Federer's 16th Grand Slam title, distancing himself even further from Pete Sampras and the rest of yesteryear's greats.

It is Federer's fourth Australian Open, but came at a much cheaper price than last year's tearful loss to Rafael Nadal. Federer was pushed to the end, and sobbed as his rival was awarded the trophy.

This time it was Federer who stood proudly, favored big in most Sportsbooks offering Tennis Betting, as Murray somberly recalled the match from the losing corner.

"Firstly, congratulations Roger, his achievements in tennis are incredible, to keep doing it year after year are pretty incredible," the native of Scotland told ESPN. "He was a lot better than me tonight.

"Hopefully, one time I can come back and win here," he added. "I got great support back home the last couple of weeks. Sorry I couldn't do it for you tonight but ...

"I can cry like Roger; it's just a shame I can't play like him."

Federer only lost two serves the entire match, and drilled 46 winners. He only needed a little under three hours to win, clinching it when Murray couldn't hit his backhand long enough.

"I'm over the moon winning this again. I think I played some of my best tennis in my life these last two weeks," he said.

With the loss, Murray still has something to bring with him to the homeland. He is the only Britain to reach the finals in two Grand Slam events in the Open era. The other was a 2008 loss to Federer in the U.S. Open.

"I don't feel great," Murray said. "I think it was more the way the end of the match finished...Obviously, it was a pretty emotional end to the match.

"If it was a complete blowout, if I lost 3, 4, and 2, you know, it probably wouldn't have happened. But I had my chance to get back into the match. That was probably why I was upset."

Murray was stumped in the first two sets when Federer's crushing saves allowed him to break in both. But the Scot bounced back and nearly sent it into a fourth set when he took a 5-2 lead in the third. Federer saved three sets points and rallied to tie it at six.

"Well done for your incredible tournament; you played it fantastic," Federer crooned to Murray. "You're too good of a player not to win a Grand Slam, so don't worry about it."