Murray wins at Wimbledon! Andy serves up gold with stunning defeat of Roger Federer at SW19

• Won 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 on Wimbledon's Centre Court
• Victory came exactly four weeks after grand slam defeat to same player
• Now he goes for another win in the mixed doubles
  

By Charles Walford

PUBLISHED: 10:14 EST, 5 August 2012 | UPDATED: 11:32 EST, 5 August 2012

Andy Murray hailed 'the biggest win of his life' after beating Roger Federer to claim Olympic gold.

Just four weeks on from a painful defeat in the Wimbledon final at the hands of the Swiss star, he exacted revenge in convincing style, winning 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 on Centre Court.

As he clinched victory with an ace, he fell to his haunches, almost breaking down in tears before composing himself to climb up to the players' box to celebrate with his girlfriend Kim Sears and the rest of 'Team Murray'.

Flying the flag: Murray, draped in the Union Jack, proudly shows off his Olympic gold medal

Golden boy: Andy Murray's face is etched with unbridled joy as he clinches Olympic gold against Roger Federer

Winner: Murray slumped to his haunches as he contemplates his achievement

Coming the day after Great Britain's greatest day in Olympic history, Murray he hailed last night's exploits by Team GB on the track as inspiring him to victory.

And he hailed today's victory as the biggest win of his career.

'It's number one for me,' he said. 'The biggest win of my life. This week's been incredible so far.

'I've had a lot of fun, the support's been amazing. One more match to go, but it's been unbelievable.'

Murray said he was inspired both by the performances of his Great Britain team-mates and the crowd, who were unusually boisterous for SW19.

'They're unbelievable,' he said. 'It's not just here but all of the events I've watched. I watched the athletics last night it was amazing.

'The way Mo Farah won... I do 400m repetitions in my training and when I'm completely fresh I can run it in 57 seconds and his last lap after 9,600m was 53 seconds. It's just unbelievable fitness.

'It gave me a boost coming into today. The momentum the team's had the last couple of days has been so good.'

Of the corwd, he added: 'They helped me get a few extra miles an hour the last couple of serves. I went for some big serves and I got them. The whole week has been amazing. I hope they stick around for the next one (mixed doubles gold medal match).'

Net gains: Murray looks to he heavens after beating Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4

Jumping for joy: The celebrations begin for Andy Murray

Medal men: Murray shows off his gold with Roger Federer and Juan del Potro, who beat Novak Djokovic to claim bronze

British backing: There was plenty of home support on Wimbledon's Centre Court

Murray admitted the achievement had surprised even him.

'I didn't expect that at the start of the week,' he said. 'I had a chance of going deep into the tournament [but] I was a little bit tired after Wimbledon, and playing the mixed as well.

'But I felt so fresh. On the court today I didn't really feel nervous at all apart from at the beginning of the match.'

Murray felt his victory was the perfect way to recover from his Wimbledon disappointment.

'It's worth it,' he said. 'I've had a lot of tough losses in my career. This is the best way to come back. I'll never forget it.'

It was Federer's heaviest ever defeat at the All England Club and helped claim Britain's first men's Olympic singles title since 1908 - and Team GB's 16th gold of these remarkable Games.

Now he will team up with Laura Robson to go for his second gold of the day in the mixed doubles.

Murray was helped by a partisan crowd who roared on every point.

As he took the first set 6-2, the crowd rose to their feet, roaring and brandishing Union flags. This was followed by an even bigger cheer as he took the second set 6-1, with the crowd sensing victory.

Murray was in uncharted territory in a five-set contest against Federer. He had lost every one of their grand slam matches, despite their overall 8-8 head-to-head record.

Joint effort: The Scot goes up into the stands to share his moment of joy with his girlfriend Kim Sears and his coaching team

A cuddle for Kim: Andy embraces Kim as he celebrates victory

Number one fan: Kim Sears watched on as Murray clinched the Olympic title at Wimbledon

Basking in victory: Andy Murray enjoys his moment of glory after winning gold

The Swiss had also won more than once from two sets down at Wimbledon but, after two comfortable holds at the start of the third, he was pummelled into submission again by Murray's crosscourt backhand.

Everything Murray touched was turning to gold, while Federer's game continued to disintegrate in a manner never before seen on Centre Court.

Murray should have twisted the knife after earning two further break points in game seven but he showed no sign of nerves on his own serve to complete a truly astonishing triumph.

Chants of: 'Team GB, Team GB, Team GB' spread around the court, as well as a red, white and blue Mexican wave as the electric atmosphere continued.

Congratulations: Defeated finalist Roger Federer congratulates his opponent, while a young fan wanted a hug from his hero

The final set was the closest of the three, but Murray was not to be denied, clinching gold with an ace down the middle.

The crowd included International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge; London 2012 chairman Lord Coe; and culture secretary Jeremy Hunt.

'Team Murray' looked on from the players' box, including Murray's mother Judy and the Scot's girlfriend Kim Sears.

Murray's mixed doubles partner was also in the box to watch the action.

Judoka Gemma Gibbons, who became Britain's first judo medallist in 12 years on Friday, winning silver, was also at centre court and tweeted a picture of the crowd, writing: 'At Wimbledon watching the tennis, the Williams sisters were immense #stronggirls'.

Focused: This time Roger Federer had no answer to Murray on Centre Court

Settling for silver: A dejected Federer contemplates defeat after losing a point

Laura Robson, 18, who is competing in her first Olympics, said: ‘It’s been incredible, just to be playing singles here – I was happy with that. Then the doubles and now all three.

‘We are guaranteed a medal. I couldn’t ask for anything else.

‘For once my service went in when it mattered. I went for it and we played really well.
Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro won the bronze medal in the men's singles after upsetting second seed Novak

Djokovic 7-5 6-4 on Wimbledon's Court One.

Del Potro lost a marathon semi-final encounter to Roger Federer on Friday and left the court in tears, but he roused himself physically and mentally to earn his place on the podium.

Djokovic, beaten by Andy Murray in the last four, was the bronze medallist in Beijing four years ago but he ceded first blood when his serve was broken in the 11th game.

He had two chances to break back and force a tie-break but Del Potro held on, and the Argentinian broke again to lead 2-1 in the second set.

Djokovic tried to respond but there was no way back and for the Serb there was only the agony of finishing fourth.

Ray of light: The sun came out for the men's tennis final

Next up: Murray will now go for gold int he mixed doubles with Laura Robson

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