U.S. Open: Andy Murray Beats Novak Djokovic, Wins First Grand Slam

Andy Murray won his first career Grand Slam title on Monday night, as the 25-year-old finally broke through to win the U.S. Open, defeating Novak Djokovic in a five-set final. Murray spoke candidly about the emotional nature of the championship after the win in an interview with BBC Sport:

Murray finally was able to chuckle when asked for what he hopes is the last time about the decades-old streak of British players failing to win Grand Slam titles.

The 2012 U.S. Open came to a close Monday night with Andy Murray winning the men’s singles title in five sets against Novak Djokovic. Murray’s victory wrapped up an memorable three weeks that included upsets, retirements, rain delays and plenty of world-class tennis.

The tournament concluded with a memorable final between Murray and Djokovic. The two went back and forth throughout the match, ultimately playing a classic five-set battle that lasted nearly five hours. In the end, the 25-year-old Murray captured his first Grand Slam title.

With his five-set victory over Novak Djokovic on Monday, Andy Murray captured the first Grand Slam title of his career --but he’ll go home with more than just a trophy. With the win, Murray takes home $1.9 million in prize money.

The winner’s share brings Murray’s career earnings to more than $23 million in prize money. While he failed to win his second U.S. Open and sixth Grand Slam title, Djokovic won’t go home empty-handed. As the runner-up, Djokovic wins $950,000 in prize money.

Andy Murray won the 2012 U.S. Open Monday with a five-set victory against Novak Djokovic. The U.S. Open title is the first Grand Slam victory of Murray’s career.

Murray started out the match strong, winning the first two sets to take an early 2-0 lead. He won the first set, 7-5, including a 12-10 tiebreaker. The second set was also close, with Murray eventually prevailing, 7-5. He appeared to be in control of the match and on the way to his first Grand Slam title, but Djokovic came on strong.

Novak Djokovic fought off elimination for the second straight set in the men’s singles final at the 2012 U.S. Open, winning the fourth set, 6-3. After dropping his first two sets against Andy Murray, Djokovic has now rallied back to tie the match and force a deciding fifth set.

After struggling with his serves early in the match, Djokovic continued to serve well in the fourth set. He completed 83 percent of his first serves in the fourth set and won 67 percent of his first-serve points. He also did well on his second serve, winning 60 percent of second-serve points.

After losing the first two sets, Novak Djokovic has beaten Andy Murray in the third set of the U.S. Open men’s final, 6-2, to extend the match. Murray had an opportunity to put away his first ever Grand Slam championship in the set, but Djokovic has pushed the final to a fourth set.

Murray actually won the first game of the third set, but Djokovic would respond by winning the next two and six of seven games to take the set. After looking somewhat uneven in the first two sets, Djokovic appeared more comfortable in putting away the third set to avoid defeat.

Looking for his first ever major championship, Andy Murray has taken the first two sets of the 2012 U.S. Open men’s final from defending champion Novak Djokovic on Monday. After battling through the first set, 7-6 (12-10), Murray avoided a tiebreaker in the second set, beating the world’s No. 2 player, 7-5.

Murray, the No. 3 player in the world, has never won a Grand Slam tournament despite reaching four previous finals, but he may finally be breaking out. After winning the gold medal in men’s singles at the London Olympics, Murray is as close as he’s ever been to finally hoisting a major championship trophy.

In stunning fashion, Andy Murray took the first set of the 2012 U.S. Open men’s final from Novak Djokovic in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (12-10), after Murray held a two-game advantage earlier in the set. Djokovic battled back to put the pressure on, but Murray responded by holding strong in the tiebreaker.

Djokovic, who is looking to win his second consecutive U.S. Open title, stormed back to win three consecutive games after Murray had gone up, 4-2. After Murray tied the set at five games apiece, Djokovic took the last two. The two players engaged in several exciting points, including one in the sixth game that featured a 54-shot rally.

The 2012 U.S. Open will come to an end Monday, as the men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray is set for 4 p.m. ET at Flushing Meadows.

Monday’s match constitutes Murray’s fifth appearance in a Grand Slam final. Murray appeared in the Australian Open final in 2010 and 2011, the Wimbledon final in 2011, and the U.S. Open final in 2008. Murray, though, lost in each of his previous four appearances in Grand Slam finals events, and will look to finally claim his first Grand Slam title on Monday.