Wimbledon 2016: Andy Murray sweeps Milos Raonic for men's title

Ray Slover

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Wimbledon 2016: Andy Murray sweeps Milos Raonic for men's title image

In the end, Milos Raonic's cannon couldn't knock down the wall built by Andy Murray.

Murray won his second Wimbledon championship on Sunday with a spirited performance built on precise return of serve. Raonic, the first Canadian to play for a Wimbledon title, was valiant but frustrated. Final score: 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2).

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Andy Murray (Getty Images)

Thousands of Britons, aching from recent pains of politics, crowded Wimbledon for the final. Murray, who is from Scotland, was seen as the antidote for relentless bad news following the Brexit vote.

Much like his 2013 victory, the first by a citizen of the tournament's host nation since 1935, Murray's triumph accompanied a patriotic fervor.

Murray delivered. So often the runner-up in recent Grand Slam finals, he met the challenge of Raonic and stood firm. His motto might have been: Remain calm and return serve.

So solid was Murray that he didn't face a break point until the fifth game of the third set. He dominated the second-set tiebreaker. He handled the powerful serves of Raonic, who cut loose with one of 147 mph, second-fastest in Wimbledon history.

Murray jumped on the fastball, made the return and won the point. It was the story of the match in capsule form.

Raonic had one ace in the first set. Raonic couldn't win points on the backhand. And when he lost the first three points in the final, including two on his own serve, he was toast.

Raonic had his chances. He was able to win points off Murray's first serves, but he couldn't maintain his advantage. That tiebreaker loss was a backbreaker. No one had recovered from being down 0-2 in a Wimbledon final since 1927.

Raonic was playing his first Grand Slam final. Even in defeat he had no reason to be disappointed. Murray, a wall on defense, was at the top of is game. And if anything, Raonic now knows how close he is to being a champion.

Sunday marked Murray's sixth consecutive victory in matches against Raonic.

"I played really good stuff today, but Milos has had a really good few weeks on the grass," Murray said. "His semi with Roger was a great, great match. He is one of the harder workers out there, he is always trying to improve and get better. He also has an extremely nice team."

Murray isn't the blushing new champion. His second Wimbledon title and third Grand Slam victory will bring a different approach.

"Last time I was just relieved, there was just so much stress," Murray said. "I'll make sure I enjoy this one."

Ray Slover