Andy Murray has managed to win his second Wimbledon title after playing some wonderful tennis against Milos Raonic in the final of the Grand Slam on Sunday. The Scot put up an emphatic display, winning the match in straight sets, score reading, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2).
Murray broke into tears after winning the title, which showed what the Grand Slam meant to the Scot, who who had lost in the finals of the last two majors in 2016.
The final was billed to be a contest between Raonic's serve and Murray's return. The second seed was at his menacing best in all departments of the game. Raonic, who used the serve and volley approach to decent effect, faced a determined Murray, as the Scot won a number of points via incredible passes and cross court shots, amazing the gathered crowd.
Both the players hit 39 winners each. However, there was a huge difference in the number of unforced errors, which also contributed to Murray's win. Raonic made 29 unforced errors, which resulted from Murray's exceptional baseline game. The second seed only made 12 errors.
As expected the match started on a very tight note, with both the players playing some solid tennis. Murray and Raonic were using their serve to advantage, and neither player could break serve in the first six games.
However, Raonic's serve was broken in the seventh game, which allowed Murray the all-important lead at 4-3. Murray further increased it to 5-3, and clinched the set, 6-4.
Despite the first set loss, Raonic did look good, and also moved to the net with great confidence. But Murray did not put a foot wrong from the baseline, hitting an incredible 13 winners, helping him outshine the sixth seed.
With the crowd supporting Murray, it was important for the sixth seed to win the second set, and at least, draw the match level on 1-1 to have any chance of winning his maiden Grand Slam.
The second set also went on a similar tone as the first, levelled at 2-2. If Raonic wanted to come close to challenging Murray, the Canadian had to return much better. However, Murray, on the other hand, was returning brilliantly, but also showed signs of frustration, smashing the racquet on the floor, when the match was not progressing the way he liked.
With the Canadian showing good skills at the net, Murray was trying to play the ball deep in the baseline, and not allow Raonic to move forward. Still, there was no break of serves in the second set, as the score read 4-4. Not only was Murray playing some good offensive tennis, but also looked strong in the defence.
After a gruelling first 12 games, the set was forced into a tie break, which Murray won playing some sublime tennis. The Scot won 7-6 (6-3).
With a 2-0 lead, Murray was always going to be favourite, and the way he was playing from the back court, Raonic had to come up with something special to clinch the third set, and take it from there.
However, Raonic, the determined fighter he is, was not ready to give up so easily. The third set was tied at 3-3 after some stunning tennis by both players. Raonic had to find a way to indulge himself in long rallies, and break Murray's serve. Along with it, he had to hit some clinical winners to take the match beyond the third set.
But, Murray was flawless, and despite Raonic's valiant effort to win the third set, the Scot took a 5-4 lead, increasing it to 6-5, and the Canadian player took it to a tie-break, with a quality service game.
Like the tie-break in the second set, Murray took a healthy lead of 4-0, and inched closer to his third Grand Slam title. The Scot won the championship after winning the tie-break, 7-2, and Murray was the deserved winner after a consistent performance in the final.