King Federer Reigns Supreme

What separates great players and good players is the ability to seize the opportunities and come back after being down and out. Andy Murray had plenty of chances to force a fourth set and try and take the game to Roger Federer, in the Championship match at the Australian Open. It was in the tie-breaker of the marathon third set, that opportunities went begging for Murray. He could have taken the game to the Great man, but the master finally prevailed to take his Grand Slam title No. 16 in straight sets.

It was billed to be a really close contest. But, there were not too many signs of it for the first two sets after the initial burst. Federer struggled to hold the first game, but had no trouble in breaking the Scot soon after, as nerves told clearly on the second-time Grand Slam finalist. But, he didn't let the Swiss run away as he broke back immediately to get the crowd going. But, despite unraveling a few scorching shots, Murray was broken in the eight game, and Federer closed out the first set at 6-3. Ask Nadal and he would tell you, that the best chance to beat Federer in a final is to win the first set. Murray didn't do that.

He dumped his chances even more as he surrendered the second set too without much of a fight; or at least the master made it seem so. Federer was in full flow by now as he displayed his full might to the stunned Scot. The one-handed backhand never failed the Swiss today, and his serve was good enough to keep Murray at bay.

Murray was in deep waters by the third set and only now did he wake up. And, what a response that was. He was at his best and forced the elusive break in the sixth game. He soon went up 5-2, and his supporters were on dreamland as they were gearing up for an extended match. But, they didn't know that the Great man had other ideas. Federer fought back with some fantastic serves and got his break back and leveled at 5-5. The set then went into the tie-break and this is when things got crazy. They were neck and neck, going from 3-3 to 6-6, then to 9-9. Both players missing more than a couple of opportunities to take the set. The tipping point came when Federer, at championship point, hit a drop shot, which Murray scrambled as he had done all day, to pick up an lob it up tamely. All Federer had to do was to smash the ball back and he could have cried for the rest of the night. But, shockingly he let it go thinking it would go out, but no. He was kicking himself. It was a shocking decision from the great man, who otherwise got everything right on the day. But, soon Murray hit another of those unforced errors to concede the set and the match, relieving Federer of his agony.

This was Roger's first Major title as Father, his fourth at Melbourne Park. Although he himself might not have any ambition of getting the calendar Grand Slam, his fans will still be rooting for it. They never get tired of watching him win again and again and again....the FedEx rolls on....16 and counting....