The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsAndy Murray has won his second Wimbledon title, as the Brit produced a solid display to see off big server Milos Raonic 6-4 7-6 7-6. Murray comfortably sealed the first set with a single break of serve and even though the Canadian pushed his opponent thereafter, the world number two was ultimately too strong as he dominated both tie-breaks to gain his third grand slam trophy.
In the opening set, it was Raonic who was under pressure and even though the Canadian saved a break point early on with a heavy serve and forehand combination, Murray eventually made the crucial breakthrough at 3-3 when his opponent netted a volley. Raonic pressed in the following game for the break back, but the world number two held him off with a series of unreturnable serves to consolidate the advantage for a 5-3 lead. The Canadian forced his opponent to serve for the set, but one break was enough for Murray to close out the set with a volley at the net, and take the upper hand in the match.
As the second set unfolded, Raonic was on the brink of going down an early break in the opening game, but this time the Canadian responded magnificently to just hold onto his serve. At 3-3 and 4-4, Murray crafted more break points but the combination of Raonic’s impressive net play and the Brit’s indecisiveness at times allowed the Canadian to eventually edge ahead. The set would reach a tie-break, but it was Murray who took control early on and used his blend of powerful groundstrokes and high quality defensive skills to build a commanding margin. The Canadian was unable to mount a response and Murray seized the set with a deep second serve to extract the return error from Raonic and as a result open up a two set lead.
In the third set, both players held their first few service games but Raonic continued to struggle with his opponent’s depth of shot-making as well as match Murray in the baseline rallies. However, at 2-2, the Canadian crushed a forehand return winner to create his first break points of the match, but the world number two stood firm to erase them all, before holding serve. Thereafter, Murray and Raonic were dominant on serve, holding comfortably throughout to keep the scoreline tight and eventually set up another tie-break. In the tie-break, once again Murray dominated his opponent, increasing the aggression and producing a series of blistering groundstrokes to force several match points. The Brit had proved to be too strong yet again at the critical moments and he clinched the victory when Raonic netted a backhand under pressure, to reclaim the title he won memorably in 2013.
On the women’s side, Serena Williams finally sealed her 22nd grand slam title, by producing an immaculate serving display to see off Angelique Kerber 7-5 6-3 in the final and tie Steffi Graf’s record of major trophies.
