Australian Open final: Andy Murray v Roger Federer

Not since Fred Perry in 1936 has a Brit won a grand slam tennis tournament ... Today, Andy Murray has the chance to end that barren run Photograph: Mark Baker/AP Photograph: Mark Baker/guardian.co.uk Only one small problem stands in his way - Roger Federer. The world's greatest tennis player is appearing in his 10th consecutive grand slam final, having reached 18 of the last 19. The Swiss legend and 15-times grand slam champion last lifted the Australian Open title - the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup - in 2007 Photograph: Andrew Brownbill/AP Photograph: Andrew Brownbill/guardian.co.uk Triple Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy watches his compatriot, Murray, from the stands Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Photograph: Clive Brunskill/guardian.co.uk Murray has the better head-to-head record, having won six of their previous 10 matches, although Federer has never lost to Murray in a five-setter Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Photograph: Clive Brunskill/guardian.co.uk Murray makes an explosive start, winning the first two points on Federer's serve Photograph: Mark Baker/AP Photograph: Mark Baker/guardian.co.uk But Federer comes back to hold serve and then goes on to break Murray in the second game Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Photograph: Cameron Spencer/guardian.co.uk Murray responds in kind, breaking his opponent with a fierce cross-court shot and then holding serve ... it's now 2-2 Photograph: Jon Buckle/PA Photograph: Jon Buckle/guardian.co.uk Graceful as ever, the Swiss legend breaks Murray again in the eighth game ... Photograph: David Gray/Reuters Photograph: David Gray/guardian.co.uk ... before winning the first set 6-3 Photograph: David Gray/Reuters Photograph: David Gray/guardian.co.uk Murray looks aghast. This is a like a re-run of the 2008 US Open final in which he was crushed in straight sets 6–2, 7–5, 6–2. But he's only himself to blame as his first serves have been erratic and Federer has exploited them Photograph: Andy Wong/AP Photograph: Andy Wong/guardian.co.uk Murray changes his shirt from blue to white - a trick which has worked in his last two matches Photograph: Mark Baker/AP Photograph: Mark Baker/guardian.co.uk ... but not today, as Federer breaks him again in the third game of the second set Photograph: Andy Wong/AP Photograph: Andy Wong/guardian.co.uk An apocalyptic sky looms above the Rod Laver Arena as Murray tries to hang in. It's ominous for the Scot as Federer continues to dominate. It's now 5-3 ... Murray must hold or he'll be two sets down Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Photograph: Clive Brunskill/guardian.co.uk This is excruciating to watch if you're a Murray fan; a pleasure if you're Swiss. Federer is simply majestic today. He closes out the second set and moves another stride closer to his 16th slam Photograph: Tim Wimborne/Reuters Photograph: Tim Wimborne/guardian.co.uk In the third set, Federer labours to deuce in the second game and then loses the next point ... it's advantage Murray ... but Federer pulls through Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Photograph: Cameron Spencer/guardian.co.uk Federer's cute back-hander has Murray on the run, again Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images Photograph: Quinn Rooney/guardian.co.uk The 28-year-old has never lost a grand slam match after winning the first two sets ... but in the fifth game of third set Murray engineers a potential breakthrough on Federer's serve ... Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images Photograph: Quinn Rooney/guardian.co.uk The 22-year-old earns three break points and, after spurning the first two, he beats Federer in a truly epic rally ... Federer came to the net and Murray smashed the ball at him, twice, before beating him with a critical passing shot ... Twenty-one shots of stunning tennis! Murray is back in this match; he's 4-2 up Photograph: Jon Buckle/PA Photograph: Jon Buckle/guardian.co.uk In the ninth game, as Murray tries to serve out the set, Federer breaks back ... such disappointment for the Scot, whose fate ultimately hangs in a tie-break Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: William West/guardian.co.uk Murray wastes five set points and Federer two Championship points in a thrilling tie-break ... Photograph: Vivek Prakash/Reuters Photograph: Vivek Prakash/guardian.co.uk Murray is finally undone ... he hits the net on Federer's third Championship point and it's game over ... Roger reigns supreme Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Reuters Photograph: Daniel Munoz/guardian.co.uk Wiping away tears, Murray joked afterwards: "I can cry like Roger; it's just a shame I can't play like him." Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Reuters Photograph: Daniel Munoz/guardian.co.uk No one could deny Federer his prize today ... his finesse in the second set and defensive composure in the third have carried him to victory with consummate ease ... A worthy winner once again Photograph: Andy Wong/AP Photograph: Andy Wong/guardian.co.uk