A New King Crowned in Queens: Murray Topples Djokovic for 2012 U.S. Open Title

Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in front of a raucous New York crowd to win the 2012 U.S. Open Men’s Singles Championship in five sets 7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2. In winning the title, Murray became the first British man in 76 years to win a Grand Slam singles title since Fred Perry won the U.S. Open in 1936.

Murray was coming off an Olympic Gold Medal in his home country of England, but had been beaten in his four previous Grand Slam finals. On Monday, Murray overcame strong winds and strong play from Djokovic to prevail. Both struggled to control the ball in the gusting New York winds, but still managed to persevere and entertain the crowd with a match that tied for the longest U.S. Open final in history at four hours, 54 minutes.

The first set alone lasted 90 minutes, which included a 54-shot rally and after Murray took that set in a tie-breaker, he rode that momentum to a 4-0 second set lead. Djokovic fought back, but was broken for the third time in the set at 5-6 down to fall two sets behind. The third and fourth sets belonged to Djokovic though and he forced a fifth and decisive set to the delight of everyone in attendance. Just when it looked like Murray would lose his chance at the championship, he broke Djokovic twice to open the final set with a 3-0 lead. He held on and served out the match when Djokovic hit a forehand return long.

Both players were gracious after the match with Murray saying, ”Novak is so, so strong. He fights until the end in every single match. I don’t know how I managed to come through in the end.”

"Congratulations to Andy on his first major title. He deserves it," said Djokovic.

Murray was one of only two men in the professional era, which began in 1968, to have lost his first four Grand Slam finals. The other is his coach, Ivan Lendl.

Credit all photos to Kenneth B. Goldberg

2012 U.S. Open finalists Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray pause for a pre-match photo

Following up on his Olympic Gold, Andy Murray added the 2012 U.S. Open Men’s title to his trophy case Monday evening at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Novak Djokovic was unsuccessful Monday night in his U.S. Open title defense, falling to Great Britain’s Andy Murray