MX23RW : Sunday, November 17 03:31:13| >> :600:100729612:100729612:

On this day in 2008 - Andy Murray suffers defeat in first grand slam final

On this day in 2008 - Andy Murray suffers defeat in first grand slam final
© Reuters
The Briton was beaten 6-2 7-5 6-2 by Roger Federer at the US Open

Andy Murray's first grand slam final appearance ended in defeat as he was beaten by Roger Federer at the US Open on this day in 2008.

Murray had been bidding to become the first British man to win a grand slam tournament since Fred Perry in 1936 when he was swept aside 6-2 7-5 6-2 by the Swiss at Flushing Meadows.

It was Federer's fifth consecutive US Open title and his 13th grand slam victory overall, moving him one behind then leader Pete Sampras on the all-time list.

Murray enjoyed a fine run in New York but had to wait until 2012 to win the title
Murray enjoyed a fine run in New York but had to wait until 2012 to win the title (Elizabeth Pantaleo/PA)

He went on to surpass Sampras' mark the following year and he established a new benchmark for the men's game by winning his 20th grand slam title in 2018. His record has since been equalled by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Murray had gone into the New York final with high hopes after beating Nadal in his semi-final but it was not to be as Federer responded to criticism of his form by returning to his brilliant best.

"I had a great tournament but I came up against, in my opinion, the best player ever to play the game today," said Murray, then 21. "I've got a lot of improving to do if I want to win one of these tournaments."

It was another four years before Murray returned to New York to win his first grand slam event. By then he had also lost in the finals of the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. He followed up by winning at Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016.

ID:462710:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3098:

Click here for more stories about Andy Murray

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Maria Sakkari pictured at the US Open in September 2021
Read Next:
Maria Sakkari edges out Bianca Andreescu in epic to reach US open quarter-finals
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Packers
@
Bears
6pm
Raiders
@
Dolphins
6pm
Colts
@
Jets
6pm
Jags
@
Lions
6pm
Rams
@
Patriots
6pm
Browns
@
Saints
6pm
Ravens
@
Steelers
6pm
Vikings
@
Titans
9.05pm
Seahawks
@
49ers
9.05pm
Falcons
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Bills


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!