This final between World No1 Roger Federer and the British No 1 Andy Murray was the most awaited final at the Australian Open since the start of the event. Odds were in favor of Roger Federer but the the Open seemed to be quite open with around 4-5 players seriously posing themselves as the Slam contenders. Andy Murray carried the heavy expectation of England to become the first man since Fred Perry to win a Slam and Roger Federer as World No1 was expected to lift his 16th Grand Slam trophy according to the bookmakers. Everyone was hoping for a nail biting final between the two in-form players of the moment and irrespective of what the scoreline is,it truly lived upto the expectations of everyone.
The Scot made a nervous start and Roger flied to a 2-0 lead in the first set just to hand Murray the break back in the next game.Murray could not capitalise on the break points he had on Roger's serve and had to succumb to the Swiss master as the genius stepped up his game when it mattered, to pocket the first set.
The second set saw the Swiss genius at a different level on what he was in the first set.He needed only a single break of serve to race away with the second set and take a two set lead over the British No1. Murray as well as the entire Rod Laver arena were just spectators to the winners that flew fast and furious from Federer's racket. Soon the Scot started to feel the heat of Federer's groundstrokes.
Murray knew he had to step up his game if he were to create any opportunity to take this match into distance and he did well enough to break Roger in the third set and go up 5-2. But as it goes,what you say,a Grand Slam final pressure or rather the pressure of playing Federer in a slam final,he was broken by the master and Roger reeled off three straight games to even it at 5-all. But the drama of the match was to unfold in the third set tie breaker. Murray had chances to take the match to a distance but he missed an easy forehand on one occasion and could not really capitalise on the other four. Clearly the pressure of facing Federer was taking its toll on Murray.
Federer was denied two championship points but on the third one, Murray netted a backhand to hand Roger his 16th grand slam trophy and his first since the birth of his twins!
During the presentation ceremony,it was Murray's turn to be emotional and for the first time,I really felt bad for the Scot."I can cry like Roger but it's a shame that I cannot play like him"--these were the words from the mouth of an emotional Murray who could not end the drought of the first British Grand Slam champion since Fred Perry to which Roger replied-"You are too good of a player not to win a Grand slam,so don't worry." Finally all is well in Federer's court.
