Reuters
London, July 10: 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) defeat of big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the Centre Court sunshine here, Sunday. This was his third Grand Slam title including the US?Open (2012) and Wimbledon in 2013.
The World No.2 was in control throughout the two hour 48 minute contest as the power game that sixth seed Raonic employed to crush Roger Federer in the semifinals made little impact on the 29-year-old Scot. “I’m proud to get my hands on the trophy again,” Murray said.
Unlike three years ago when near hysteria broke out as Murray ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a Wimbledon men’s singles champion, there has been an air of inevitability about title march since top seed Novak Djokovic crashed out early.
The final 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,” said the Canadian.
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 — roaring angrily towards his coach Ivan Lendl.
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 — having succumbed to Djokovic in Australia and France.
En route to title glory
Opponents Rounds Score
Liam Broady 1st 6-2, 6-3, 6-4
Yen Hsun-Lu 2nd 6-3, 6-2, 6-1
John Millman 3rd 6-3, 7-5, 6-2
Nick Kyrgios 4th 7-5, 6-1, 6-4
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Quarter 7-6(12-10), 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-1
Tomas Berdych Semi 6-3, 6-3, 6-3
Milos Raonic Final 6-4, 7-6(7-3), 7-6(7-2)
