Murray: Outclassed by a master

Roger Federer has claimed a fifth US Open crown with a straight sets victory over Andy Murray. We take a game-by-game look at how the final unfolded at Flushing Meadows.

Third set: Murray 2 Federer 6

Murray vents his frustration as he falls 0-30 down and again his hopes hang by a thread. A two-fisted backhand winner from Murray launches the Murray fightback but at 40-30 Federer blasts a forehand winner to force deuce. An untimely double fault brings up championship point. However, Murray stands firm coming forward to make two crisps volleys. A second chance follows though with Federer dominated the point from a return of serve. This one is taken despite some superb defence from Murray. He keeps the point going as long as possible but eventually finds the top of the net to leave Federer collapsing to the court in sheer delight. He has a fifth straight US Open title but Murray's bid to emulate Fred Perry will continue.

Third set: Murray 2 Federer 5

Some rare scrappy stuff from Federer takes the score to 30-30 before Murray launches into a forehand to bring up break point. Federer nets on the backhand on the following point and Murray stays alive. He remains a break of serve down but may just planted a seed of doubt in Federer's mind - that was only the second time he's been broken today.

Third set: Murray 1 Federer 5

Murray avoids a bagel set - the food looks like a zero - with a hold to 15, an ace helping him do so. The crowd like that but Federer will now serve for the title.

Third set: Murray 0 Federer 5

A hold to love for Federer and he makes it look so easy. Those who have criticised him this year should take a good look at his display today. OK, Murray hasn't hit the heights of yesterday but he hasn't been allowed to. Federer has dominated this match and is now just a game away from the title.

Third set: Murray 0 Federer 4

A double fault from Murray sees him fall 0-30 down. Federer then attacks his second serve - a common practie in the match - and forces Murray to net. Three break points. Only one is needed - a stunning backhand pass from deep. Awesome stuff from the Fed Express. The game looks up for Murray.

Third set: Murray 0 Federer 3

Murray gets to 15-30 but a lengthy rally then follows which ends with the Briton going long. At 40-30 Murray produces some Nadal-like defence, stretching to hit a superb forehand which Federer can't control at the net. He didn't expect his volley to come back. However, two points later Federer does slap away a volley at the net to seal the game and move 3-0 ahead.

Third set: Murray 0 Federer 2

Federer produces a rare drop shot to open the game - and it's executed to perfection. Murray nets and it's 0-30. Federer then draws his opponent in and comes up with the pass. Murray nets again and that's the break. Two poor shots from Murray and two fine ones from Federer there leave the Swiss in full control of this match. Four more holds and the title is his.

Third set: Murray 0 Federer 1

A decent start from Federer to the third set as he edges closer to a fifth straight title in New York. He dropped the first point but then got his serve going again and it's a hold to 15.

Latest score: Federer leads 6-2 7-5

Federer's level certainly dropped in that set following his scintillating opening but he upped his game at just the right time in game 12. Murray will rue missed chances at 2-2. He had three break points to go a break ahead but Federer played those points well. One big stat - Federer is winning 81 per cent of points when he gets his first serve in; Murray's equivalent figure is 53.

Second set: Murray 5 Federer 7

An inch-perfect volley deep to the baseline takes Federer to 0-30 and rachets up the pressure. The Fed Express then charges the net on a second serve and finishes the point with a smash - his second of the point. Three set points. Federer takes the first, racing on to a drop shots and steering his forehand down the line for a winner. A brilliant game at just the right time from the champion and Murray is in deep trouble now.

Second set: Murray 5 Federer 6

At 30-0 some great defence from Murray keeps him in the game. He scampers back to get to a lob and the backhand he then produces from his defensive position is so good it sets up the point. He gets back to 30-30 but then two errors long ensure Federer of at least a tie-break in this set.

Second set: Murray 5 Federer 5

A forehand wide is not a good start for the Briton. It's a tentative game but Murray recovers to move up 40-15. A Federer backhand goes wide to level the set score up. Certainly there are more errors from the Swiss now - while his first-serve percentage has dropped. Can he hold here?

Second set: Murray 4 Federer 5

At 0-15, Federer reacts superbly to a net cord which loops up before finishing a great point two smashes later. 15-15 is a big difference to 0-30. Murray makes one fine forehand winner but that's as good as it gets for him and the Swiss holds to 30. The pressure reverts to Murray who must now hold to avoid falling two sets down.

Second set: Murray 4 Federer 4

Again the Scot feels his knee at the start of the game but again he holds to 15, finishing it with an ace.

Second set: Murray 3 Federer 4

Murray edges the door open at 15-30 but then frames a forehand way out. Federer wrong-foots the Briton with a forehand and Murray nets to end the game. Federer leads 4-3 and we are into the business end of the set now.

Second set: Murray 3 Federer 3

After the first point Murray is clearly seen flexing his leg. He felt his knee after stretching for a ball there. That's a worrying sign but it doesn't prevent him holding to 15, Federer struggling with his returns.

Second set: Murray 2 Federer 3

A big game and a big hold from Federer. The error count creeps up for the second seed as he falls 0-30 down. Then a netted volley brings up three more break points. A shot onto the baseline saves the first. He hits the line in the next point before cracking a forehand which is too hot for Murray. The third is also saved with Federer coming to the net and eventually finishing the point after a smash and two volleys. An ace is followed by an error to bring up a second deuce but Federer then closes out the game with a cry of 'come on' as he finishes it off to lead 3-2. Interestingly the internal TV view of Hawk-eye showed Federer's shot at 15-40 which was ruled on the line was actually just out. Murray didn't challenge though. That's some dogged play from the champion but we've seen cracks appearing in Federer's game for the first time in these past three games.

Second set: Murray 2 Federer 2

Murray holds to 15, although a couple of errors didn't help the Swiss there. The set is all square again and this is a better period from Murray.

Second set: Murray 1 Federer 2

Murray cracks a deep backhand right onto the baseline and Federer nets to fall 0-30 down. He then sends a searing forehand winner cross-court and it's his first break points - three of them. Federer charges the net on the first and Murray's attempted pass forces a backhand error. A superb game from the 21-year-old who gets the set back on serve. That was vital.

Second set: Murray 0 Federer 2

Crunch! Federer rips a forehand winner down the line off Murray's second serve to move to 0-30 again. Murray then gets on the front foot to move 40-30 only for another error to bring up deuce. A game point goes with the net cord working against the Briton and he follows that up but dumping a routine forehand into the net. Federer grasps the opportunity with another forehand deep into the corner which Murray simply can't get to. This is looking ominous for Murray.

Second set: Murray 0 Federer 1

This was the fear for Murray - Federer is serving extremely well. His first-serve percentage was up at 76 per cent in that first set He continues in that vain in the opening game of set two, holding with ease to 15 and finishing things off with a nerveless smash which could have been tricky given the breeze.

Latest score: Federer leads 6-2

One point worth noting is that it's pretty windy down on court today which won't work well for Murray. He likes to mix things up a bit more than he's done so far. However, drop shots and slices are more likely to be taken by the wind. He has plenty of work to do here.

First set: Murray 2 Federer 6

The Federer surge continues. His forehand again causes problems and forces two errors from Murray to bring up two set points at 15-40. One is saved but then another Federer forehand pushes Murray into the corner and his backhand recovery drifts wide. First set Federer and he's been tip-top so far.

First set: Murray 2 Federer 5

Great stuff from Federer from the baseline. He tugs Murray around with some blistering forehands to move 40-15 up before taking the game to 30. Murray must serve to stay in the set.

First set: Murray 2 Federer 4

More trouble for Murray - a double fault sees him slip to 0-30. He gets back to 15-30 but then a poor backhand into the net brings up two break points. The Briton then drags a forehand into the tramlines. A Hawk-eye can't save him there and Federer has the first break and leads 4-2.

First set: Murray 2 Federer 3

Another good game on serve from the Swiss - he holds to 15. Both player's forehand looks in great nick so far. No signs of any breakdowns yet on that score.

First set: Murray 2 Federer 2

The door opens for Federer. He shows his forehand off, producing a crunching winner when Murray's length lets him down. Then some superb net play takes him to 15-30. The first break point arrives at 30-40 when Murray goes long but a big serve, big forehand combination saves it. A couple of errors from Federer from deuce see Murray hold. He comes through his first real test.

First set: Murray 1 Federer 2

Murray recovers from 30-0 down with two rasping forehands - one forces a volley error, the other finds the line for a winner. However, Federer holds firm by taking the next two points.

First set: Murray 1 Federer 1

Federer comes to the net at 30-15 but is passed by that Murray forehand. Federer than goes wide. A decent start from Murray there with plenty of first serves finding their mark.

First set: Murray 0 Federer 1

It's actually Federer to serve first and he starts superbly. The first two serves are both unreturnable and he serves out the first game to love. You can't ask for more than that.