Murray finally fulfils his destiny

ANDY MURRAY is a Grand Slam champion, and he is the first British man who can say that in 76 years.

Murray finally won his maiden major title at the fifth attempt, beating Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller over four hours and 54 minutes in the US Open Final.

A truly epic match finished 7-6(12-10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2 to Murray, breaking a spell which had hung over British tennis ever since Fred Perry had prevailed at Flushing Meadows in 1936.

This era of Djokovic, as well as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of course, has produced so many close encounters that an epic final has somehow become quite commonplace.

The Wimbledon finals in 2007 and 2008 between Federer and Nadal both went to five sets, while Federer won 16-14 against Andy Roddick in a decider there in 2009.

But, while the quality of the early parts of this match suffered at times in the blustery conditions, it can certainly be ranked as epic as well.

The countless twists and turns, amazing amount of long points, and serious raw emotion have ensured it gets that status. This was a gladiatorial contest. 

It was, in fact, a cagey start though, and Murray and his Serbian opponent traded two early breaks apiece. From 4-4 onwards, it became inevitable that the first set would head into a tie-break.

Here, the fun really started as Murray was forced to win the opening set over and over again, only succeeding at the sixth chance.

But, while that first set was a tit-for-tat battle, the second looked easy for Murray as he stormed into a 4-0 lead.

Djokovic is a true champion, though, and he immediately got one of the two breaks back to reduce his arrears to 4-1. The Serbian was not finished there and, after a hold each, Djokovic pushed for a second time and got back level at 5-5.

However, just as a second tie-break loomed, the defending champion undid all his good work, losing his serve in the 12th game to go down 7-5.

In fairness to Djokovic, it was probably Murray's true grit which saw him through, as he came out on top in a 30-shot rally in that game. But, despite this, Djokovic's improved form towards the end of the second set had signalled a major momentum shift in the match.

The Serb broke Murray early in the third to lead 3-1, and then 4-2  - before a second break proved terminal for the man from Dunblane.

Into the fourth set, and the Djokovic momentum continued. The Serb again broke Murray early on for a 2-0 lead and there were particularly worrying signs for the Scot as he openly complained his legs had gone to jelly.

It should be no surprise, then, that Djokovic also had a break point in Murray's next service game. On that occasion, there was no break of serve but it was quite clear who was in control at the Arthur Ashe stadium.

Indeed, after trading holds, Djokovic restored parity by making it two unanswered breaks for a second successive set. He also gained the nominal advantage of serving first in the decider, having broken in the final game of the fourth.

But, for the first time since the first set tie-break, Djokovic now had something to lose. That pressure showed immediately as it was Murray who gained the early break of serve this time, forcing Djokovic into the net at 40-30.

At 30-30 in the second game, it looked perhaps as if the topsy-turvy nature of the first set was going to be reprised. However, a visibly-shattered Murray was somehow playing his best tennis of the night at this stage, and a gutsy hold was followed by a second break.

The delirium in Dunblane would have been short-lived, though, as Djokovic again immediately responded to get himself back in the set with a break of his own. That made it 3-1 before the Serb held for a 3-2 deficit.

For once, there was no predictable wobble. Murray had obviously decided that he had made this final interesting enough and sailed through a love service game for a 4-2 lead.

And then, in the seventh game of the set, came Murray's moment with destiny. The Scot restored his two-break cushion after Djokovic could only lamely find the net once more. Even he could tell his Flushing Meadows reign was over.

All that was left was for Murray to serve out for the match and a Grand Slam championship.

This, he did, and in some style too - storming to 40-0 to bring up three championship points. The dream finish was delayed by a few seconds as Djokovic took the next point at the net but the Serb went forlornly long with a forehand on the next point.

Murray had won - and, in winning, brought to an end a torturous journey towards his first Grand Slam title.

It had indeed been a rocky path to the holy grail, punctuated by a final defeat at Flushing Meadows in 2008, successive Australian Open final losses in 2010 and 2011, and finally tears at Wimbledon this summer.

Only Murray's coach Ivan Lendl knew what it was like to lose the first four major finals in a career. But Lendl also won at the fifth attempt, and went onto win eight Grand Slams altogether.

This unbelievable era of tennis may prevent Murray from matching that total. However, having overcome the obstacle of getting over the finish line, it now seems inconceivable that the Scot will not add more major titles to his CV.

Indeed, during this unprecedented great British summer of sport, Murray has had his own personal season in the sun.

For, even in the devastation of the defeat at Wimbledon, there had been some progress. At the fourth attempt, Murray had won a set in a Grand Slam final, and he even had chances to go 2-0 up.

Four weeks later, Murray was back on the same court against the same opponent, Federer, playing for Olympic gold.

Federer had made no secret of his desire to succeed at the Olympics, having never done so, but these were the Olympics of Team GB, and of Murray.

The Scot blew away the 17-time Grand Slam winner 6-2 6-1 6-4 in just under two hours with a breathtaking performance.

That could have proved satisfactory for now but Murray is a great champion and was not about to rest on his laurels in New York.

Nadal had withdrawn before the tournament with more knee trouble and, when Federer was beaten by Czech Tomáš Berdych, the draw had opened up.

Murray, too, has had problems against Berdych in the past - but, after a slow start, victory in four sets set up another date with destiny.

"I will give it everything," vowed Murray before this latest final. Well, he did, and it worked, and there can be no one more deserving of Grand Slam title than him.

Congratulations, Andy Murray. A Grand Slam champion, at last.