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[boogers]

Andy Murray was again outclassed by a magnificent Federer, surrendering 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11) at the Australian Open.

Federer served in the opening game and Murray made a bright start, winning the first two points with a backhand down the line and deep return. Federer reasserted himself and took the game from deuce.

After what appeared to be a confident opening, Murrays first service game demonstrated just how nervous he felt. A tentative serve on the first point and double fault on the second saw him slip to 0-30, before a beautiful backhand down the line from Federer yielded three break points. The Swiss converted on his second, thrashing a forehand into the corner.

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Murray responded to this setback as he has all tournament, chasing down a slightly-too-deep Federer dropshot and hitting a trademark cross-court passing shot to bring up two break points. One was enough, with another cross court pass getting the Scot onto the scoreboard and eliciting a roared “CUMMONN!”

After holding serve for the first time to take the set to 2-2, Murray brought up two more breakpoints on Federers serve. He was unable to convert the first, before the Federer serve clicked into gear and the Swiss evaded the danger.

The pair exchanged service holds until 4-3, when a Murray double fault and unforced error opened the door for a break. The world number one saw the chance and smashed the door open with a murderous down the line backhand and  unplayable forehand winner.  Murray was unable to respond as he did earlier in the set and Federer served out the set.

The second set was one way traffic. Federer was now in imperious form and every service game was a struggle for the Scot. A barrage of forehand and backhand winners gave Federer the decisive break of the set at 1-1. More breakpoints came and went for Federer at 3-1 and 4-2, but despite salvaging holds in both cases, Murray was unable to exert any pressure on the Federer serve.

The third set was the closest of the match. Murray was now going for his shots, and his first serve had begun to splutter into life. A breakpoint for the Scot came and went at 1-0 before a scrambled volley and pass at 3-2 put Murray in front for the first time in the match.

Murray had the opportunity to serve for the set at 5-3, but a combination of Murray errors and sublime hitting from Federer saw the chance slip from his hands. Both players held to force the tiebreak.

Murray served first, banging in an ace before forcing an error from the Federer serve to bring up the first minibreak. A horrible miss-hit backhand at 3-1 saw the advantage evaporate. A scorching Murray forehand at 4-3, followed by and ace and an absurd cross-court passing shot took the score to 6-4 and two set points for Murray. Federer saved the first with a staggering angled forehand before Murray slapped a tame forehand into the net with the whole court open. A total of five set points came and went, but Murray was unable to execute when he really needed to and a final tame backhand into the net saw Federer win yet another Slam.

This was a far better performance than the USO '08 final, but again Murray came up against the undisputed greatest player in history in full pomp. The deciding factor was probably the Murray first serve, which was missing at crucial junctures.

So the wait for a British Slam winner continues, and the question on everyones lips is: when is Federer going to retire?

Murray tears up after loss to Federer (1 video)

Murray Tears Up After Loss To Federer

Federer's podium speech (1 video)

Federer Opens 2010 With 4th Aussie Title

Match highlights with Federer commentary (1 video)

Federer Captures 16th Grand Slam Title - ESPN Video - ESPN

[Sir Panda]

What's slightly irritating is that we've never really sampled Murray being ahead in a grand slam final, he's always been down.

Good write-up Phil.

[Sir Panda]

Fed has the beating of Andy by the looks of things.

[deano]

does anyone think murray will ever have a grand slam title? not so sure now del po beat him first slam in 5 sets andy has lost 6 straight sets in finals against fed he cant seem to raise is level high enough really gutted

[Rachie]

You never know boogers....Andy lost to Djokovic 3 times before he started beating him, was 5-0 against Nadal before he started beating him. Maybe slam finals vs Fed is a similar thing.

The point is Murray didnt do it this time but he got closer than last time and maybe next time he'll get closer again. Murray just needs to put himself into these finals to give himself a chance.

[Lyn Holland]

I don't think he was crushed!  He missed a few great opportunities that is all, another lesson learnt and he is a fast learner!!  Next time Andy, don't get despondent you really can do it!!!!  Great comments at the end, you can play tennis as well as Federer just needs a bit more consistency, keep believing!!

[Mark]

Match highlights with Federer commentary

[Sir Panda]

Say Andy took one of his set point opportunities.

Do you guys think the outcome would have been the same?