Roger Federer beat Andy Murray 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 in Monday's men's final at the U.S. Open to become the first man to win the event five straight years.

Roger improved to 13-4 lifetime in Grand Slam finals and moved to within one of all-time leader Pete Sampras (14-4). He also became the first player in history to win two Grand Slam tournaments (Wimbledon, 2003-07) five consecutive years.


"I mean, it's nice to compare five Wimbledons to five US Opens, no doubt," said Federer. "Not many guys, nobody can do that, you know. So it's quite nice and I'm quite proud obviously of my achievement. It takes a lot out of a player, always trying to go from one tournament to the next and trying to do your best, but I mean, it's been a tough summer."


It was Federer's third title of the season (Estoril, Halle), the first on hard courts. The last player to win the US Open without winning a hard court title during the year was Pete Sampras in 2002.

"I was always positive and I knew that if things go my way, and this year hasn't always been the case," added Federer. "I lost quite a few matches I should have never lost, and they hurt. Now, getting the fifth US Open, it really means a lot to me. I really thank the fans, as well, the crowds. They were great. I mean, from the beginning, that's really what I was hoping for. And losing my No. 1 ranking, that's also what meant a lot to me this season. So to bounce back straightaway after losing the No. 1 ranking, this is the best scenario ever."

After the Murray’s final shot into the net, Federer fell to his knees and rolled onto his back.

“I always knew that if I were to get one Slam under my belt, especially the last one, things weren’t looking that bad, like everybody was talking about,” he said.

“Sometimes, to a point, a bit annoyed because all sorts of crazy people started writing me and trying to reach me, telling me I need some help either mentally or physically,” he said. “You’re laughing, but it’s the way it goes. People come out of the closet and think they can start helping me now. It’s just a pain.

“For me, this sort of puts them to rest a little bit and calms down the phones at my parents’ a little bit, which I’m happy about,” the Swiss ace said.

It was Murray's first Grand Slam final and he was trying to become the first British man to win the U.S. Open since Fred Perry in 1936.

"I came up against, in my opinion, the best player ever to play the game,” Murray said. “He definitely set the record straight today.”

“He told me that it was a great tournament for me. I said that I agreed with everyone that he’d had a terrible year,” Murray kidded.

“Making the semis of Australia, final of the French, the final at Wimbledon — playing one of the best matches of all-time—winning a gold medal, and obviously winning the U.S. Open,” he said. “I told him that he had a phenomenal year, regardless of what anyone said.”


(source Yahoo Sports, photo/Jim McIsaac/Getty Images, Al Bello/Getty Images)

Roger Federer wins fifth straight US Open