Andy Murray fought his way to a second Wimbledon title with a near-flawless straight sets win over Canadian Milos Raonic. The 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 victory is the Scot’s third Grand Slam win in total.
After just under three hours, the world number two looked to the heavens as his opponent struck a backhand in to the net. The pair embraced before tears started to flow from both Murray, who buried his head in a towel, and his usually stoic coach Ivan Lendl.
Following world number one Novak Djokovic’s shock loss to Sam Querrey in the third round, Murray was considered a heavy favorite to win his home Grand Slam and he didn’t disappoint a jubilant Wimbledon crowd.
"It's the most important tournament for me every year. I've had some great moments and tough losses. I played some really good stuff today," Murray said after the match.
"The wins feel extra special because of the tough losses. I'm proud to have my hands on the trophy again."
Raonic, coached by Lendl's one-time rival John McEnroe, said the defeat would spur him on.
"Andy has been playing great and he deserved to win, congratulations to him," Raonic said. "This one is going to sting. I'm going to make sure I do everything I can to be back here for another chance."
The first set was a tight affair with Raonic’s serve working well until the seventh game, when Murray took charge with a strong cross-court forehand followed by a backhand down the line to set up two break points. Murray hit an uncharacteristically sloppy backhand long on the first before making the second count when his stinging forehand forced Raonic to net a volley.
With his considerably greater Grand Slam experience, the 2013 champion always seemed likely to extend his lead over Raonic, who was playing in his first major final.
But the sixth seed wasn’t in any mood to give up his chance easily. Raonic, whose serve was less effective than it had been on his run to the final, seemed to settle somewhat and picked up his game to take the second set to a tie break. But he was unable to maintain his level as Murray surged to a 7-3 victory in the tie break, sealing a two set lead when his opponent netted a regulation forehand.
In front of an increasingly fevered and partisan crowd at the All England Club, Murray maintained his intensity in to the third set, becoming increasingly emphatic in his celebrations as the finish line came closer.
With little left to lose, the Canadian became more a little aggressive in his strokemaking but Murray stuck to his task under a barrage of big serves.
When Murray overcame Raonic’s first break points in the fifth game before holding serve with a particularly fortunate net cord that trickled over the net in the seventh, the writing was on the wall. Again the set went to a tiebreak and again Murray dominated, wining six of the first seven points to give himself five Championship points.
He spurned the first, sending a tough forehand long before forcing Raonic to net. He wouldn't spurn the second. As the Canadian's final groundstoke hit the net, the crowd erupted as Murray realized the magnitude of the moment.
(DW)
