Thrilled Murray wins tennis gold (From Echo)

Thrilled Murray wins tennis gold

5:01pm Sunday 5th August 2012 in National Sport News © Press Association 2013

Andy Murray claimed Wimbledon glory at last on Sunday, taking the men's tennis singles Olympic gold medal as he beat rival Roger Federer 6-2 6-1 6-4 to deafening applause.

But later on, Murray and Laura Robson were unable to make it two tennis golds for Team GB as they suffered defeat to Belarus' Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi to claim silver in the mixed doubles.

After his gold meadl victory, the 25-year-old climbed into the players' box to embrace his family, including mother Judy Murray, brother Jamie Murray and girlfriend Kim Sears as he became the first Briton to win a men's singles gold medal since 1908 in what he called the biggest win of his life.

The straight-sets victory also comes a month after Murray's heartbreaking loss to the Swiss player in the Wimbledon final.

Hopes had run high as Murray became the first Briton to make it to the men's singles final in 74 years, but he was reduced to tears after the loss just four weeks ago. Murray was spurred on by a raucous crowd on Centre Court, entering to thunderous applause and deafening cheers, and receiving shouts and screams from the partisan crowd.

Spectators chanted "Andy Andy Andy" as he battled against world number one Federer, and were asked several times to be quiet by the umpire. Murray took the first set 6-2, and the second 6-1, sparking standing ovations from fans who decorated centre court with a sea of red, white and blue.

Murray was watched by London 2012 chairman Lord Coe, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt; and International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge as well as "Team Murray" from the players' box, which included his mixed doubles partner Laura Robson.

After his victory Murray sank to his knees, then made his now tell-tale "fingers to the air" gesture, before running up into the players' box to first embrace Miss Sears, followed by other members of his family.