Australian Open:Roger Federer won his16th Grand Slam title and denied Andy Murray his first when beating the Scot in straight sets at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne this morning. The Swiss took the game 6-3 6-4 7-6 after his opponent put up a valiant fight in the deciding tie-break in which he let four set-points slip.
The world number one played some of his now-familiar sublime tennis in the opening two sets to gain full control of the match, leaving Murray with a massive deficit to overhaul, a task that ultimately proved too great.
For Federer it is a fourth Australian Open win, but the defeat for Murray means Britain's 74-year wait for a men's Slam winner continues.
"He was a lot better than me tonight," said Murray afterwards.
"The support I got tonight was incredible and hopefully one time I can come back and win here," said the tearful Scot, before adding: "I can cry like Roger, it's just a shame I can't play like him."
Having been presented with the winner's trophy, Federer responded: "Andy, well done for your incredible tournament, you were fantastic and you are too good a player not to win a Grand Slam, so don't worry about it."
Federer made a lightning-fast start, breaking Murray's serve at the first opportunity but the British hopeful hit straight back with a brilliant return game to get well into the match.
However, a second break from Federer followed in the eighth game and proved enough for him to win the crucial opening set.
With the Swiss finding some amazing angles, he was able to break Murray to love in the third game of the second set to take full control and he kept the pressure on.
Murray dug deep to stay in the set, producing some gutsy service holds, but he was not allowed any chances on the Federer serve which seemed to get better as the set wore on.
Regularly coming to the net behind a big first serve, the top seed was soon two sets to the good, leaving Murray with an uphill fight on his hands.
He refused to throw in the towel though, and despite looking troubled by a thigh problem at times, the British star raised his game in the third set.
Murray struck in the sixth game, winning an exciting net exchange by passing Federer and celebrating in now trademark fashion before urging the crowd for more support.
At 5-3 he served for the set but Federer, like the champion he is, managed to hit back.
A tie-break ensued and it was an epic.
Murray held five set points - he missed two makeable shots, a poor forehand into the net and a backhand volley wide - but it was Federer who clinched victory on his third championship point when Murray netted again.
In a tearful speech, Murray thanked his supporters both at home and Down Under.
"Hopefully one time I can come back and win here.
"I got great support back home - sorry I couldn't do it for you tonight."
Struggling for words and referring to Federer's runners-up speech 12 months previously, he joked: "I can cry like Roger, it's just a shame I can't play like him."
The British star will have the small consolation of returning to number three in the world rankings on Monday, but for him all the talk of being Slam-less will continue.
After this match, he was certainly left in no doubt as to who is the current number one.