BRITISH newspapers hailed Andy Murray’s historic achievement in the US Open final on Monday as he ended a 76-year wait for a British men’s Grand Slam champion by beating Novak Djokovic.

The 25-year-old Scot beat 2011 winner Djokovic 7-6 (12-10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 in an epic final at Flushing Meadows to become Britain’s first major champion since Fred Perry claimed his third American title in 1936.

“This fairytale of New York written by Andy Murray was more than just an achievement to savour for itself,” wrote Kevin Mitchell in the online edition of The Guardian, the result coming in too late for the print editions.

“Few sporting voyages have carried such baggage, and Murray’s alone has resembled a flea carrying a piano up a mountain.

“In a single win, hair ruffling his Scottish locks, Murray put a deal of pain to rest.”

Britain’s top-selling tabloid The Sun ran the headline “Yankee Doodle Andy!” on the sports section of its website next to a picture of the British No. 1 in trademark mid-roar.

“There could not be a more deserving champion,” wrote Paul Newman for the online edition of The Independent.

“Murray has worked tirelessly to reach his goal in an era dominated by two of the greatest players in history in the shape of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and, in more recent times, by a man who may also eventually be regarded as one of the sport’s legends.

“The fact that Djokovic had won four of the previous seven Grand Slam tournaments, including the last three played on hard courts, underlined the magnitude of Murray’s achievement.”

Tennis correspondent for The Times newspaper Neil Harman summed up his excitement at witnessing Murray’s historic achievement in a final which lasted four hours and 54 minutes.

“I’m not going to go to bed tonight and do you know what, I really don’t care,” he wrote on his official Twitter page from courtside.

Meanwhile, Andy’s older brother Jamie also gave his reaction on the micro-blogging site.

“What a historic night!” the 26-year-old wrote on his official account. “Tonight Andy achieved his dream. He got the result his talent dedication and perseverance deserved. So proud of him.

“Thank you to everybody for their kind messages and support of Andy :) An amazing night!“ — AFP

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