Murray claims second Wimbledon crown

Andy Murray won Wimbledon for the second time on Sunday overcoming the challenge of Milos Raonic in straight sets. Murray, 29, clenched his fist and punched the air after a Raonic backhand slumped into the net following two hours and 47 minutes of play on Centre Court.

Andy Murray won his third Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

It finished 6-4 7-6 7-6 and is Murray’s third Grand Slam triumph in his 11th final.

The crown comes less just a month after the world number one Novak Djokovic beat him in four sets to win the French Open. After the defeat Murray called Ivan Lendl, the coach under whose aegis he had won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2012. That triumph came after gold at the 2012 Olympics and was followed by Wimbledon in 2013.

However Lendl’s departure brought a drought. Murray, the world number two, was reaching the major finals, but failing to lift the title.

After saluting the crowd, Murray sat in his chair and burst into tears looking up from the towel occasionally to imbibe the achievement.

He is the first British male tennis player to win multiple Wimbledon titles since Fred Perry in the 1930s.

After accepting his prize, he had recovered his poise and his dry humour was flowing as slickly as his backhand cross court passing shots.

Spotting the British Prime Minister David Cameron in the royal box, Murray said: “The Prime Minister of the country is here. Playing at a Wimbledon final is tough and I certainly wouldn't want to be Prime Minister, it's a tough job."

While Cameron ponders his life away from 10 Downing Street having resigned last month after leading an unsuccessful campaign for Britain to stay in the European Union, Murray can target the retention of his Olympic title in Rio next month and an assault on the US Open in September.

Raonic, 25, was playing in his first Grand Slam final and showed few signs of nervousness as he unleashed his fearsome serve. His volleying skills have improved under the tutelage of former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe and his ground strokes have become more penetrating thanks to the guidance of former world number one Carlos Moya.

Raonic had served 137 aces in the six matches leading to the final. And the showdown was billed as a battle between Raonic’s most potent weapon and Murray’s famed returns.

A tricky wind did not help the Canadian’s delivery and he dropped his serve in the opener to give Murray a 4-3 lead. The Briton served out. The second set was decided by a tiebreak which Murray dominated 7-3 and the third set breaker was even more one sided. Murray won the first five points.
 

A forehand winner for 6-1 brought him five match points and though Raonic saved one, Murray claimed the next point.

“I’m proud to have my hands on the trophy again,” said Murray in his on-court interview. "I’ve had some great moments here but also some tough losses. The win feels extra special because of the tough losses.”

McEnroe, commentating on ESPN, said: “Murray’s played second fiddle so many times. But when he became the favourite, he found a level of comfort. The final was a truly exceptional performance. The levels he’s played at since becoming the favourite has been exceptional.”