2012 Olympics: Andy Murray Exacts Wimbledon Revenge; Wins Gold

Great Britain's Andy Murray conquered his Roger Federer demons, defeating the Swiss and winning gold for his country in the process. /

Exactly one month ago, Andy Murray lost a heartbreaking Wimbledon Finals match to Roger Federer. He succeeded in exacting revenge on Sunday by beating his rival on the highest stage and for the highest honor: Murray defeated Roger Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 to win the gold medal for Great Britain.

Federer blasted out to an early lead, winning the first game of the first match. But Murray, behind what was described by a British journalist as a ludicrously partisan crowd for Murray, stormed back and won not just the first set, but he dominated the second set to go up 2-0.

In the third set, Murray, with the taste of gold on his tennis tongue, won the first two games 6-2, 6-1, but saw his rival Federer stick more closely to him in the set’s third game. Murray again leaped out to a lead but Federer charged back. But in the sets ninth game, Murray overpowered Federer wo take the game 6-4, win the third set and defeat Roger Federer in the same building he lost the Wimbledon title to him a month ago to win the gold medal for Britain.

The crowd erupted like they wanted to a month ago, like they had this pride building but had nowhere to put it. Andy Murray gave them a place to release that pride and show it to the world.

When he won, Murray met Federer at center court and ran up to the stands to share the moment with his fellow Great Britain teammates, his family, friends and coaches.

It’s not just that Andy Murray defeated Federer, it’s how he defeated him. Murray dissected, dismantled and destroyed Federer, making the world No. 1 look foolish.

“I was expecting it to be an incredibly tough match,” Murray said after. “After I went up two-love in the second match I felt more comfortable. No way did I expect the score to be what it was.”

Murray has another chance to bring home the gold, as he and Laura Robson are set to play in their mixed doubles final match today. But he’s got the gold he needed to show the world the that last month’s Wimbledon’s meeting was not fluke.

“I didn’t expect this at the start of the week,” Murray said. “I was a little bit tired after Wimbledon, but I felt so fresh on the court today. I didn’t feel nervous at all, apart from at the beginning of the match. I’ve had a lot of tough losses in my career, and this was the best way to come back from the Wimbledon final. I’ll never forget it.”

He had not beaten Federer in any of the Grand Slam meetings they’ve had, dating all the way back to 2008. But Andy Murray finally toppled his greatest rival to date and managed to do it on the largest scale in the world and his reward is better than any Grand Slam title he’s lost out on thanks to Federer. Today, Andy Murray is walking home with the gold medal.