The wait is over. Andy Murray has become Britain's first Wimbledon men's singles champion for 77 years after beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets in an historic final today.
The British No.1 was in ice-cool form in the searing heat of Centre Court to defeat the 2011 champion 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
The US Open champion's second grand slam triumph sees him become the first Briton since Fred Perry in 1936 to win the men's crown at SW19.
With temperatures soaring to 31 degrees Celsius on the nation's hottest day of the year, there was little to choose between the top two-ranked players in the world but, as he had done all tournament, Murray consistently held his nerve on big points as the Serb's trademark steely mental reserves grew ever depleted as the match wore on.
Murray wasted three championship points on his serve at 5-4 in the third set as Djokovic threatened to stage a comeback in a desperately tense finale.
However, after saving three break points, the Scot then seized his fourth chance to claim the title – falling to his knees in relief before heading up into the stands to embrace his girlfriend, Kim Sears, and his mother Judy.
Murray had instantly signalled his intent by earning three break points in the first game. And while Djokovic ultimately held his serve in that opener, Murray gained a decisive break in the seventh game – after both players had earlier traded breaks – to take the first set to the roars of the 15,000-strong crowd, which included prime minister David Cameron.
The battle between the two players who were born seven days apart in 1987 intensified in the second set as they went toe-to-toe from the baseline with 25-shot rallies being par for the course.
Djokovic broke for a 3-1 lead in the second set but the Olympic champion stormed back to level at 4-4, as a double fault handing Murray the break in the seventh game.
Six-time grand slam champion Djokovic exploded with anger in the 11th game. Convinced that Murray had gone long at 15-15, he screamed at the umpire 'Whyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!? What's going on?'
But the tantrum did not rattle Murray as he broke again and then two sets up with a 125mph ace.
The pair again exchanged breaks at the start of the third before Djokovic took Murray's serve again to lead 4-2. Amazingly, though, Murray broke back twice and eventually closed out the match in a jittery tenth game, prompting jubilant scenes on Centre Court.
- Metro
0