WIMBLEDON – Call it British kismet as the 2012 London Olympics now has one of its finest moments.
After failing to ever win a Grand Slam despite numerous chances, Britain’s Andy Murray seized the Wimbledon afternoon today and instead won an Olympic singles gold medal by routing Roger Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 on the famous lawn of Centre Court. He closed out the two-hour match by booming two straight aces to end the stunning massacre as he walked to the net and kneeled to the grass and soon was up in the stands, hugging his family members and an 11-year-old fan from the London suburbs.
In winning nine straight games spanning the first two sets at the All-England Club, the pro-Murray fans wildly waved Union Jack flags, chanted “An-dy’’ and celebrated arguably the biggest tennis milestone in British tennis history.
Murray is the best British men’s player since World War II and no Brit had won the Wimbledon championships since Fred Perry in 1936. Fans still take their picture next to a statue of Perry outside the Centre Court building to commemorate his three Wimbledon titles from 1934-36. In years, there may be a Murray statue to join it.
“I’d love to win Wimbledon for sure but this felt good. I wouldn’t trade this for anything, that’s for sure. It’s been the best week of my career by a mile. For a country our size, we’ve done amazingly well in these Olympics,” Murray said.
“I’ve lost a lot of tough matches. I’ve had questions asked about me. I’m happy to put on a performance that I’ve been waiting for. Looking back, it will be the biggest match of my career,” he added.
Murray was spectacular in destroying a player who had won seven Wimbledons and had beaten Murray in four sets on July 8th for his latest grass crown. Every stroke of Murray’s was wondrous, particularly his backhand and he was a rock on his occasional ventures to the net.
With the resounding win, Murray soars into the US Open later this month as a major threat to get off the Slam schneid after routing Novak Djokovic and Federer in succession. They probably are the two finest matches he has ever played.
Federer increasingly felt the pressure of the pro-Murray crowd, his play weakened and he goes home still without a singles gold medal. In the third set, readying to serve, Federer walked away from the baseline amid the din of “Andy’’ chants.
They don’t serve bagels in London but Murray nearly served one up in the second set, storming ahead 5-0.
Murray posted two breaks in the first set and reeled off his sixth straight game by breaking Federer on his first service game of the second set to go up 2-0. Murray chased an ill-conceived Federer drop shot and whipped a cross-court forehand into the open court for the 2-0 lead.
Murray got his first break of the match at 3-2 on a four-deuce game. On break point, Murray powered a backhand winner down the line.
Murray saved two break points, serving at 2-0. Murray got it to deuce after looking in trouble at the net. Federer got to his first volley and absolutely ripped a forehand into him but Murray deflected it back for a dead winner.
Murray needed to fight off a sixth break point in the next game to go up 3-0, showing brilliant resiliency.
Murray got to his advantage with a running backhand winner down the line after which he shook his first. Federer sailed a backhand deep and he was in a deep hole. Federer got broken again to fall behind 4-0, winning his eighth straight game to go up two breaks.
On July 8th, Federer beat Murray in four sets to capture his 17th Grand Slam title – his record-equaling seventh Wimbledon. Murray was teary-eyed during his post-match awards-ceremony speech. Now it’s only jubilation.
“It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in a tennis tournament,’’ Murray said before the gold-medal match.
Murray didn’t speak to the press after his win because he went to play his mixed doubles gold-medal match with Laura Robson.
Federer said at his press conference, “I’m very happy and satisfied with a silver. It was as good as I could do in this situation. Andy was better than me today. It’s great that he brought home the gold for Great Britain. It was a long time coming. He was better.‘’