Andy Murray claims historic Grand Slam in US Open win over Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray has won his first ever Grand Slam title after prevailing in a five-set slog against Novak Djokovic at the US Open.

The Scot, who led by two sets before being pegged back by his Serbian opponent, dug deep to claim the final set and claim a 7-6 (12/10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2 victory.

In doing so, Murray became the first Brit in 76 years to win a major tennis title and achieve victory in his first major championship at the fifth time of asking.

British number one Murray went in to the final as an Olympic gold medallist but still chasing that elusive big prize of winning a tennis major.

Four hours and 54 minutes later, the 25-year-old was celebrating in front of the capacity crowd inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium, turning the match around after Djokovic threatened to become the first player since 1949 to recover from two sets down to win the US Open.

Having won the first two sets, albeit with a wobble in the second at 4-0 up, Murray's hopes of success at Flushing Meadow looked to be fading as Djokovic grew in confidence and power to level the match at two sets apiece.

But the Scot wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to cap off a memorable year and win at the US Open, breaking twice early in the fifth set to play his way to success.

Djokovic was finding the going tough from the off, struggling to adapt to the swirling winds out on court but matching Murray the distance until the Scot had a set point opportunity at 6-5.

Missing that opportunity, the set went to a tiebreak and passed up four further set point opportunities before finally making the sixth count.

It was only the second set Murray had won in a Grand Slam final, having also claimed the first in his Wimbledon defeat to Roger Federer earlier in the year.

He wasted no time in trying to rack up another, racing into a 4-0 lead in the second set. Both breaks were lost, however, before Djokovic fired wide at 6-5 to hand Murray the initiative.

Buoyed by his comeback, the Serb rallied in the third and, with Murray complaining his legs felt like "jelly", he racked up a 6-2 victory.

A further break early in the fourth threatened to completely unravel Murray's game, before he rescued another break in the fourth game. The opportunity to break back didn't come though, and Djokovic took set point on his opponent's serve when Murray fired long.

With all the momentum behind Djokovic, Murray took stock and grabbed pivotal breaks in the first and third games, before holding on his serve to open up a 3-0 lead in the final set.

Djokovic appeared on the ropes, rallying briefly by clawing back a break, but Murray continued to hold his serve and played his way into a final service game which would determine his championship fate.

His opponent did his best to maintain the tension, receiving lengthy treatment from his trainer before stepping back out onto the court, but Murray maintained his cool to set up three championship points.

Djokovic, keeping to form in the match, briefly responded, but Murray claimed victory on his second championship point when his opponent sent a forehand long.

More About Andy Murray

Related articles

People who read this story also read