OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Ruthless Murray stuns Federer to win singles gold in straight sets

By James Toney, Sportsbeat, at Wimbledon

ANDY Murray secured the greatest win of his tennis career with a stunning straight sets victory over Roger Federer to claim Olympic singles gold at Wimbledon.

SENSATIONAL: Andy Murray beat Roger Federer in straight sets to win the Olympic men's singles title at Wimbledon - the first British winner since 1908

The win does not officially ended Great Britain's 76-year wait for a major tennis title but it ends an even longer wait for an Olympic champion - Josiah Ritchie last winning gold in 1908.

And the incredibly one-sided scoreline, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4, could be the defining moment of the British number one's career.

"This is number one for me – the biggest win of my life," said Murray. 

"This week has been incredible so far and I’ve had a lot of fun – the support has been amazing. 

"I watched the athletics last night and I was inspired. It was amazing the way Mo Farah won.

"I do 400 metre repetitions in my training and when I’m completely fresh, I can run it in 57 seconds. His last lap after 9,600 metres was 53 seconds - it’s just unbelievable fitness. 

"It gave me a boost coming into the day. The momentum I’ve had over the last couple of days has been so good. 

"I’m Olympic champion and it’s amazing. At the start of the week I didn’t expect that but going deep into he tournament I was a little bit tired after Wimbledon.

"I’ve had a lot of tough losses in my career and this was the best way to comeback from the Wimbledon final and I’ll never forget it."

Murray has lost three Grand Slam finals against Federer and only ever won a set, most recently on this same court just a few weeks ago.

But this was the moment his fortunes changed, even the weather was on his side, the sun coming out and the roof coming off just moments before both players walked out.

However, he started nervously as Federer went in search of the only major title missing from his collection, seeking to join an exclusive club of career 'Golden Slam' singles winners that includes just Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.

But with a partisan crowd behind him, Murray quickly established control and went on a winning run that sapped the Swiss's spirit.

The British number one broke twice to close out the opening set in just 37 minutes and then continued where he left off in the next.

The third game of the second set ultimately proved decisive, as 17-time Grand Slam winner Federer desperately tried to gain a foothold in the match and the obstinate Murray sought to maintain his seemingly relentless momentum.

It lasted just over 15 minutes and when Murray hit the winner, Federer simply shrugged and arched a wizened eyebrow as the 15,000 stong Centre Court erupted.

In total Murray won nine games in succession, and you need to dig back through the stats to find out the last time that happened to Federer on the manicured lawns of the All England Club.

After one hour and 23 minutes Murray had a two sets lead but Federer is a past master of defying the odds and staging comebacks in five set matches.

He tried valiantly to impose himself but Murray was in no mood to surrender, breaking at 2-2 in the third to maintain his advantage.

Murray then maintained his cool to serve out the match and the winning point was followed by scenes this court has never known, as the crowd broke out into chants of 'Andy, Andy' and waved their flags with disbelief.

And no-one was cheering louder than Laura Robson -she will partner Murray in the mixed doubles final against Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi later today.