Britain’s Andy Murray put the finishing touch to an almost faultless fortnight to claim a second Wimbledon title with a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) win on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the world number two who was the champion in 2013 defeated big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the Centre Court sunshine.
He was in control throughout the two hours 48-minute contest as the power game sixth seed Raonic employed to crush Roger Federer in the semi-finals made little impact on him.
Three years ago near hysteria broke out as Murray ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a Wimbledon men’s singles champion, but this time was different.
There has been an air of inevitability about the 29-year-old Scot’s title match since top seed Novak Djokovic crashed out early.
And Murray did not disappoint as he claimed a third Grand Slam title in almost routine fashion as he blunted Raonic’s 140mpnh serve and made only 12 unforced errors.
“This is the most important tournament for me every year. I had some great moments here and tough losses too.
“So, that makes it extra special,’’ Murray, who sobbed into his towel on his courtside chair as the triumph sank in, said on court.
“I’m proud to get my hands on the trophy again.’’
NAN reports that the final match was billed as a showdown between one of the world’s biggest servers and arguably the best returner.
Murray broke the Raonic serve only once, midway through the opening set, but always seemed in control as the Canadian struggled to lay a glove on the elusive Scot.
Raonic had been hoping to become Canada’s first Grand Slam singles champion and while he battled gamely to the end he conceded he had been second best.
“Andy has been playing great and he deserves to be winning here for the second time,’’ he said.
“This one is going to sting. So, I’m going to make sure that as long as these courts are green I’ll do everything I can to be back here for another chance.’’
The first chink in Raonic’s armour came in the seventh game when he netted a forehand volley to hand Murray a break.
The Scot pressed repeatedly for another break in the second set, but Raonic showed great resilience to take it to a tiebreak.
However, Murray raised his game to a new level.
The match was more than two hours old when Raonic finally had two break points at 2-2 in the third set, but Murray saved both and held.
Twice Raonic held serve to stay in the match, at 4-5 and 5-6, but Murray again upped the ante in the tiebreak.
He won the first five points as he surged towards victory.
Raonic saved one match point but Murray wrapped it up when he forced the Canadian to net a backhand.
Murray’s win meant he avoided becoming the first man to lose in the final of the first three majors of the year in the professional era.
Then, he had succumbed to Djokovic in Australia and France.
[Reuters/NAN]
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