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This article was first published 11 years ago

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at US Open

Last updated on: September 12, 2012 08:58 IST

Image: Britain's Andy Murray kisses his trophy
Photographs: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Andy Murray fought off Novak Djokovic to win an epic US Open final on Monday and become the first British man in 76 years to win a Grand Slam singles title.

-Murray fights off Djokovic to win

The Scotsman, beaten in his four previous grand slam finals, made it fifth time lucky with a nerve-jangling 7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 victory at a windy Arthur Ashe Stadium where the players had to battle the elements as much as each other.

Here are some best moments form the tournament.

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Britain's Andy Murray walks without his shoes after defeating Serbia's Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final.

With both men struggling to control the ball in the gusting winds, and battling exhaustion in a final that tied the record as the longest at Flushing Meadows, the match became a test of courage and stamina and it was Murray who handled the decisive moments better.

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Serbia's Novak Djokovic wipes his face after a long rally during the men's singles final.

After losing the first two sets, Djokovic suddenly raised his game to win the next two and force a deciding fifth set, seizing the momentum as Murray started to wilt.

But the Olympic champion regained his composure and jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the final set with two service breaks then hung on to seal an emotional victory.

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Eric Thayer

Serena Williams of the US poses with her trophy for winning the women's singles.

Williams, through sheer force of will as much as her skill with the racket, beat World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in a dramatic US Open final on Sunday to capture her 15th singles Grand Slam title.

On her best behaviour but struggling to subdue an opponent seven years her junior, Williams provided an everlasting reminder of her incredible fighting qualities as she became the tournament's oldest women's champion in nearly four decades.

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: Al Bello/Getty Images

The capacity crowd at the bear-pit that is the Arthur Ashe Stadium centre court roared with excitement as the two combatants ran themselves to the point of exhaustion, producing some breathtaking shots as the stakes rose.

Williams kept her cool, even when she was called for a foot fault, avoiding a repeat of her petulant behaviour at Flushing Meadows in the 2009 semi-final against Kim Clijsters and last year's final with Sam Stosur.

After facing serious health issues, including the discovery of a life-threatening blood-clot on her lung, in the past 18 months Williams has developed a new perspective about her actions on court.

"I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall," she said.

"I have fallen several times. Each time I just get up and I dust myself off and I pray and I'm able to do better or I'm able to get back to the level that I want to be on."

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus hits a return to Serena Williams during their women's singles final.

"I have no regrets. I felt like I gave it all there," said Azarenka.

"Could it have gone my way? Probably, yes. But it didn't and it really, really hurts."

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Mike Segar

Marines unfurl the US flag before the women's singles final.

 

Tags: PHOTOS , US

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Mike Segar

Bob (right) and Mike Bryan of the US celebrate after defeating Leander Paes of India and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic in their men's doubles final.

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Adam Hunger

Andy Murray of Britain reacts after a missed point against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in their men's singles semi-final.

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Adam Hunger

Sara Errani (right) and Roberta Vinci of Italy celebrate after defeating Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic in the women's doubles final.

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Maria Sharapova of Russia serves to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the women's singles semi-final.

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Adam Hunger

Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina reacts after losing a point against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men's singles quarter-final.

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Mike Segar

David Ferrer of Spain has his foot looked at during a medical time out in his men's singles quarter-final against Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia.

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Novak Djokovic of Serbia signs autographs after defeating Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in their men's singles match.

PHOTOS: Game, Set, Match at the US Open


Photographs: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland carries his broken racquet during his men's singles match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia.