Andy Murray lifts gold medal after Wimbledon rematch against Roger Federer

Andy Murray has won an Olympic gold medal after beating Roger Federer exactly a month after his defeat to the Swiss in this year's Wimbledon final.

The Scot battled to a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 result in the match which saw him lift Team GB's 16th gold of the 2012 Olympic Games.

In front of an electrified crowd, Murray scarcely missed a step as he consistently outclassed the world number one before eventually winning with an uncontested ace.

After his victory he sank to his knees, then made his now tell-tale "fingers to the air" gesture, before running up into the players' box to embrace girlfriend Kim Sears and members of his family.

Thunderous applause greeted Murray as he returned to centre court for the medal ceremony.

Speaking to the BBC after the match, Murray said: "This has been the biggest win of my life. The support has been amazing.

"I've had a lot of tough losses in my career but this was the best way to come back from the Wimbledon final."

The result gave Britain its first men's singles gold since Josiah Ritchie won in 1908.

Murray's stunning medal-winning effort was in sharp contrast to his campaign in Beijing four years ago, when he crashed out in the first round after a straight sets loss to Chinese Taipai's Lu Yen-Hsun.

The 25-year-old had beaten Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the previous two rounds, while Federer's path to the final saw him knock out Juan Marin Del Potro and John Isner.

Murray will go on to contest the mixed doubles final after he and partner Laura Robson won a close encounter with Germany on Saturday.

The world number four said before the match: "I'm a bit stiff. When you play singles, I'm sore in the same places; when you play doubles, it's a bit different, you have to be explosive at the net, and other things hurt a bit more.

"I've enjoyed the whole week and to be guaranteed a couple of medals going into the last day is excellent. I wasn't expecting that, maybe in one but certainly not two."

Fans in Murray's home town of Dunblane gathered together to watch him be crowned Olympic champion.

Crowds in the Dunblane Centre burst into applause and jumped off their seats as Murray hit his winning ace.

Gemma Greer, centre manager, said: "You could have heard a pin drop before that last point, but as soon as he hit it the place erupted and the huge cheer here when he was presented with his gold medal was absolutely brilliant.

"We have always been very proud of him and today he has shown just what he is capable of."

Congratulating Murray on his win, First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Andy Murray played the match of his life on the biggest stage of all against the best player in tennis history.

"This gold medal marks Murray's arrival as a contender to be the world's number one. To beat Djokovic and Federer is an epic achievement. To demolish Federer in an Olympic final is breathtaking.

"It's a Murray masterclass which should make everyone in Scotland extremely proud."

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