Cool Federer masters Murray for 16th Grand Slam crown
MELBOURNE: Swiss great Roger Federer won his fourth Australian Open and 16th Grand Slam title to deny Andy Murray’s quest for British tennis history yesterday.

Remarkable level of consistency: Federer (left) with the winner’s trophy alongside runner-up Murray during the awarding ceremony following their Australian Open men’s singles final in Melbourne. — AFP photo

Federer’s remarkable level of consistency continued when he mastered the Scottish fifth seed in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13/11) in two hours 41 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

The world number one clinched victory in a gripping 24-point tie-breaker when Murray frittered five set points and the Swiss claimed it on his third match point.

“I’m over the moon winning this title again,” he said. “I played some of the best tennis in my life again over the last two weeks.

“It’s very special to win my first Grand Slam as a father.”

He praised Murray for putting up such a good fight.

“Andy, you played an incredible tournament. You are too good a player not to win a Grand Slam, so don’t worry about it.”

The victory came when Murray netted a forehand to climax a draining match.

It was the Scot’s second Grand Slam loss to Federer following his defeat to the him in the 2008 US Open final and continued Britain’s frustrating chase for a first male Grand Slam winner since Fred Perry last won 74 years ago.

“I had great support back home, I’m sorry I couldn’t do it for you tonight,” Murray said as his voice cracked with emotion and he choked back tears.

“I can cry like Roger, it’s just a shame that I can’t play like him,” he joked.

“He was a lot better than me tonight. But I’ve loved every minute of it and I hope to sometime come back and win.”

It is now 279 Grand Slam tournaments since Perry beat American Donald Budge in the 1936 US Open final.

Federer has now won 16 Grand Slams in the span of 27 majors and has lost only six finals in that time.

His victory saw him become the fifth man in history to win four Australian Open titles with the last man to do so American Andre Agassi in 2003.

“I don’t feel great,” Murray added. “Obviously, I worked really hard to get to this stage. I wanted to win the tournament.

“I think it was more the way the end of the match finished. It was a pretty emotional end to the match.

“I think his level is a lot more consistent in the slams.” — AFP