Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of this year's US Open men's final in New York.
Having lost his first four Grand Slam finals, Andy Murray is no doubt hoping that it will be a case of fifth time lucky inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
However, in Novak Djokovic he will be taking on the defending champion and a five-time Slam winner.
Either way, history will be made tonight. Stay tuned with us to ensure that you don't miss a single shot.
2.19amAnyway, that is about it from us. I hope you've enjoyed Sports Mole's coverage of the US Open as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you. And what an outcome! Here's to even more Slams for Murray in the future! Goodnight all.
2.16amWhat a summer it has been for British sport! Murray, Ennis, Farah, Wiggins, Weir - I could go on all night (or even morning!)
2.14amAnd with that Murray lifts the trophy high above his head. Got to admit that after the fourth set I did not think that we would be seeing that. Fantastic character from the Scot. He's worked so hard from an early age and fully deserves it.
2.12amMurray on Lendl: "He is one of the greatest players to ever play. It's great to have him supporting me in the tough moments."
2.12amMurray: "It was incredibly tricky conditions. After the third and fourth sets it was mentally tough for me."
2.11amHere comes Murray...
2.10amDjokovic: "I gave it all and it was another tremendous match to be a part of."
2.10amDjokovic: "I want to congratulate Andy on his first Grand Slam, he absolutely deserves it."
2.08amAwaiting some reaction from the two players...
2.06amAt last Britain has a male Grand Slam winner. Murray looks like he is in a state of disbelief. He fully deserves it. He has beaten a Novak Djokovic who is quite rightly regarded one of the best to have played the game.
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2 DjokovicGAME, SET, MATCH AND THE CHAMPIONSHIP! Andy Murray!
2.03amDjokovic is still alive! He smashes the ball past Murray like the champion that he is. Two more left.
2.02amTHREE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS MURRAY...
2.01amACE! Murray challenges and gets it by the smallest of margins! What a time for that to happen. 30-0.
2.00amA backhand smash from Murray puts him 15-0 up!
1.59amHere we go...
1.58amMurray's up out of his chair and bouncing around. He looks ready.
1.57amAlthough he is being made to wait for Djokovic, who has called for the trainer. The Serb appears to have some tightness in his thighs. The crowd don't seem to happy.
1.56amREPEAT - MURRAY WILL SERVE FOR THE TITLE!
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 *5-2 DjokovicBREAK! Yes, yes, yes! Murray has broken again. What a player! The 76-year wait for a British male to a win a Grand Slam could be about to end. Murray will serve for the title.
1.54amTWO BREAK POINTS MURRAY...
1.54amWhat a backhand winner from Djokovic! Make that 15-30.
1.53amMurray is 0-30 up on Djokovic's serve...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 4-2* DjokovicACE! At 40-0 up, Murray produces the biggest ace of his career to date! The timing was impeccable. Two games away from the holy grail.
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 *3-2 DjokovicDjokovic holds one of the best games of the match so far. Both players produced stunning winners and poor errors. Biggest game of the night coming up? I think so...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 3-1* DjokovicBREAK! For crying out loud, why is it never simple where Murray is concerned?! He sends the ball wide and Djokovic has a lifeline - not the sort of opponent you want to be dishing those out to.
1.40amMurray saves the first with a powerful forehand winner. Two to go...
1.39amTHREE BREAK POINTS DJOKOVIC...
1.38amDjokovic is currently love 30 up on the Murray serve. Surely not another twist? I can't take it!
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 *3-0 DjokovicBREAK! Oh my lord! Murray has broken again. Djokovic has looked tired all set and finds the net to leave Murray three games away from his maiden Slam. Do not mess this up now Muzza!
1.34amBREAK POINT MURRAY...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 2-0* DjokovicHold for Murray! This is unbelievable tennis. Djokovic has him under siege but he digs deep. Now if he could just wrap this up sharpish, it would be much appreciated. After all, it's way past my bedtime!
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 *1-0 DjokovicBREAK! You wee beauty! Murray's in front with a break. He got a tad fortunate with the clip of the net, but he fully deserves it for the way that he has battled here. Game well and truly on.
1.20amBREAK POINT MURRAY!...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 0-0* DjokovicSET! We are going the distance! Djokovic has showed just why he is one of the best players ever to have played the game in the last two sets. All the momentum is with him. It's going to take a lot for Murray to turn this around.
1.13amSET POINT DJOKOVIC...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 *3-5 DjokovicSome brilliant serving from Djokovic leaves us on the cusp of a fifth set. Murray now serving to keep this fourth set alive.
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 3-4* DjokovicAnother relatively straightforward service game for Murray, which has got to help his cause. He still needs a break though, and quick!
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 *2-4 DjokovicMurray gave it everything, but it wasn't enough as Djokovic claims the game at the third time of asking. That will have hurt deeply. It's a long way back in this set now.
1.00amTHIRD GAME POINT DJOKOVIC...
12.59amBut again Murray lives to fight another day! A stunning rally ends with Djokovic on the floor and Murray sending the ball into a empty court.
12.58amSECOND GAME POINT DJOKOVIC...
12.57amBut he hits long. Murray still alive in a game that he simply has to hold.
12.56amGAME POINT DJOKOVIC...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 2-3* DjokovicShort and sharp from Murray = just what he needed! He holds with minimal fuss and converses some much needed energy at the same time. Now, to try and break again...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 *1-3 DjokovicThat is why Djokovic is a five-time Grand Slam winner. He produces two stunning serves just when he needed them to hold. Murray needs to follow suit and keep in touch now.
12.46amBut not for the first time in this set Murray finds the net. That was a big chance. Deuce.
12.44amBREAK POINT MURRAY...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 1-2* DjokovicAnd hold he does. Boy was it hard work though. Djokovic appears to be getting fresher and fresher at the moment. Murray needs a break of serve, somehow!
12.38amBut Djokovic goes long. This is a must hold game for Murray. Deuce.
12.37amBREAK POINT DJOKOVIC...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 *0-2 Djokovic"Jelly" screams Murray - referring to his legs I assume. Not ideal given the fact that Djokovic is playing like Superman at the moment. The world number two holds impressively.
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 0-1* DjokovicBREAK! Fantastic net play from Djokovic. Murray gives everything he has, but Novak is too smart and volleys beyond the reach of the Scot. Djokovic looking like the favourite at the moment.
12.27amTWO BREAK POINTS DJOKOVIC...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 *0-0 DjokovicSET! And with the most emphatic of smashes, Djokovic wins the third set. I'm going to stick my neck on the line and say that if Djokovic wins the next set, he will win the title. Murray needs to get the job done now.
12.22amSET POINT DJOKOVIC!...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-5* DjokovicBREAK! Great length on the forehand from Djokovic sees the ball fly into the body of Murray, who is powerless. Djokovic is now serving for the third set and it looks a safe bet that he will see it through.
12.17amDjokovic strikes the first one wide. Murray with one more to save...
12.16amTWO BREAK POINTS DJOKOVIC...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 *2-4 DjokovicIt's the stuff of champions from Djokovic. He fights back from two break points down to take the game. Could be a defining moment in this set, maybe even the match.
12.11amAnd a powerful forehand from Djokovic saves the other. Deuce.
12.11amThe first of which goes long. One left...
12.10amTWO BREAK POINTS MURRAY...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 2-3* DjokovicThat'll do nicely for Mr Murray! He serves out to 15 and produced a couple of forehand winners that had so far eluded him in this set.
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 *1-3 DjokovicAnother hold from Djokovic. He's looking fresher and more inventive than Murray at the moment. Murray's got to be careful now. He cannot afford to go two breaks down.
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 1-2* DjokovicBREAK! A jaw-dropping return of Murray's serve from Djokovic leaves the Scot back-peddling. He reaches the ball, but can only fire wide. Novak looks pumped! Ominous signs for Murray perhaps.
11.55pmTWO BREAK POINTS DJOKOVIC...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 *1-1 DjokovicDjokovic holds with the best point of the match yet! He plays the cutest of drop shots following a brilliant rally to leave Murray treading water. The way he celebrated that, you'd have thought he'd won the tournament! Will that kickstart the comeback?
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 1-0* DjokovicWow! What a way to get out of trouble from Murray with powerful serve. Pressure back on Djokovic.
11.45pmAnd Djokovic goes long with the second. Deuce!
11.44pmMurray saves the first. One more to go...
11.43pmTWO BREAK POINTS DJOKOVIC...
Murray 7-6(10) 7-5 DjokovicSET! Even a challenge can't save Djokovic! He fires wide and Murray is two sets to the good! Stunning. The Scot is just one set away from his fist ever Grand Slam! How are the nerves?! I won't lie, mine are shot to bits already!!
11.35pmHe nets the first one! One more to go. Nail biting stuff.
11.34pmTWO SET POINTS MURRAY!...
11.34pmWe're currently at 15-30 in Murray's favour. He's two points away from a two-set lead...
Murray 7-6(10) 6-5* DjokovicMagnificent hold for Murray! It wasn't pretty by any means, but he keeps his hopes in this set alive. Djokovic, now with pressure, serving to stay in this second set.
Murray 7-6(10) *5-5 DjokovicDjokovic holds with the most beautiful of lobs. Things that were landing in for Murray earlier in this set are now going wide. Vice-versa where Djokovic is concerned. Murray MUST hold here if he is to win this second set.
Murray 7-6(10) 5-4* DjokovicBREAK! The wind gets involved and Murray hits long. Oh dear, oh dear! He's blown a two-break advantage here. We're now back on serve, although Djokovic is serving to stay in the set. You get the impression the defending champ will be buzzing now though.
11.19pmDjokovic goes long with the first. Still two more for Murray to save...
11.18pmTHREE BREAK POINTS DJOKOVIC...
11.17pmMurray is currently 0-30 down! A break here could really change the course of this match.
Murray 7-6(10) *5-3 DjokovicA routine service game from Djokovic brings up his third game of the set. It's all about Murray now though. He's serving for the second set.
Murray 7-6(10) 5-2* DjokovicJust what the doctor ordered for Murray there. He produces the perfect game - serving to love to leave him just one game away from taking the second set.
Murray 7-6(10) *4-2 DjokovicDjokovic holds and lives to fight another day. Real pressure on Murray's serve now. Biggest game of the match coming up - no question.
11.07pmBut a stunning wide serve from Djokovic forces deuce.
11.06pmBREAK POINT MURRAY...
Murray 7-6(10) 4-1* DjokovicBREAK! Game on! It's poor from Murray in truth as Djokovic gains one of those breaks back. Still a long way for the Serb to go, but it's a start.
11.01pmTWO BREAK POINTS DJOKOVIC...
Murray 7-6(10) *4-0 DjokovicBREAK! This is looking far too easy at that minute. Murray is not missing anything. He's made just one unforced error in this set. Serving for a 5-0 lead.
10.57pmTWO BREAK POINTS MURRAY...
10.55pmTweet from Michael Owen: "Struggling to stay awake. Hoping to wake up at 6am to the news that Murray has won The US Open Tennis. Night all." No staying power Michael!
Murray 7-6(10) 3-0* DjokovicMurray opens up a healthy advantage. Djokovic provided stern resistance in that game but it wasn't enough to throw Murray off his stride. Big service game coming up for the Serb.
Murray 7-6(10) *2-0 DjokovicBREAK! And that just got even better! Murray has broken Djokovic to love for a 2-0 lead. The Serbian seems to be wilting at the moment.
10.48pmTHREE BREAK POINTS MURRAY...
Murray 7-6(10) 1-0* DjokovicPerfect start to the second set from Murray, who holds for a 1-0 lead. Djokovic seems to be struggling with his trainers at the moment. He's spending a lot of time on the floor!
Murray 7-6(10) DjokovicSET! YES! At the sixth time of asking, Djokovic returns a Murray serve long and the Scot is a set to the good. Not sure my nerves could handle another four sets of this! Fantastic and poor tennis at the same time from both players.
10.36pmSIXTH SET POINT MURRAY...
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray *11-10 Djokovic
10.35pmACE! What a time for Djokovic to find the perfect serve. Ten points each!
10.35pmFIFTH SET POINT MURRAY...
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray 10-9* Djokovic
10.34pmAwful from Murray - there is no other word to describe that shot. He's passed up FOUR set points. Surely he can't afford to waste many more.
10.33pmFOURTH SET POINT MURRAY...
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray *9-8 Djokovic
10.31pmAgain Djokovic survives! A poor lob from Murray goes wide after an unbelievable rally.
10.29pmTHIRD SET POINT MURRAY...
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray 8-7* Djokovic
10.28pmBut the Scot finds the net with the most routine of backhand shots. A big chance wasted. Seven apiece.
10.28pmSECOND SET POINT MURRAY...
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray *7-6 Djokovic
10.26pmA smash from Djokovic saves it! Six each in this gruelling breaker.
10.25pmSET POINT MURRAY...
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray 6-5* Djokovic
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray *5-5 Djokovic
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray *4-5 Djokovic
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray 3-5* Djokovic
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray 3-4* Djokovic
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray *2-4 Djokovic
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray *2-3 Djokovic
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray 2-2* Djokovic
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray 1-2* Djokovic
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray *0-2 Djokovic
FIRST SET TIE-BREAK:Murray *0-1 Djokovic
Murray 6-6* DjokovicWe're heading into a breaker! Have to say that at this moment Djokovic is forcing Murray to do a lot of work, but the world number four is holding on.
Murray *5-6 DjokovicEasy hold for Djokovic, forcing Murray to serve to stay in the set for a second time in recent minutes. More pressure on the Scot, whose best hope is now forcing a tie-breaker.
Murray 5-5* DjokovicHe forced to do a lot of running, but Murray stays in the set with a hold.
Murray *4-5 DjokovicStunning stuff from Djokovic sees him claim a love game. Big pressure on Murray now, who is serving to stay in this set.
Murray 4-4* DjokovicBREAK! Murray provides some brilliant defence but he is unable to prevent Djokovic from breaking back for a second time. Great stuff from both players.
9.52pmDjoko goes long with the first. He still has two left though...
9.51pmTHREE BREAK POINTS DJOKOVIC...
Murray *4-3 DjokovicDjokovic keeps himself in contention with a hold. Murray pushed him hard though, taking him all the way deuce.
Murray 4-2* DjokovicMurray holds! He's now two games away from taking the first set. That was a huge hold.
9.40pmWHAT A RALLY! The pair just play out a 54-shot rally! Stunning stuff. Djokovic comes out on top in the end to lead 15-30 on Murray's serve.
9.37pmAnd Djokovic is not happy with himself! He smashes his racket down twice as he makes his way back to his chair.
Murray *3-2 DjokovicBREAK! Gotcha! Novak double faults to give Murray his second break of the set. Real chance for the Scot to make a move for the first set now.
9.35pmTWO BREAK POINTS MURRAY...
Murray 2-2* DjokovicGreat hold from Murray. He had Djokovic dancing all round the Arthur Ashe court there. Two each in the opener.
Murray *1-2 DjokovicGreat hold from Djokovic, who fought off four break points. Murray must follow suit now.
9.24pmBut again Murray slices into the net. He's done that three times already today. Deuce.
9.23pmFOURTH BREAK POINT MURRAY...
9.23pmGreat save from Djokovic as he smashes the ball beyond Murray's reach. Big chance squandered from a Murray point of view though. Deuce.
9.22pmAnd the second goes into the net with a lazy looking shot. One left for Murray.
9.21pmMurray goes long with the first. Two more for Djokovic to save.
9.21pmTHREE BREAK POINTS MURRAY...
Murray 1-1* DjokovicBREAK! All that hard work from Murray in the opening set goes to waste. Having saved two break points, he slices into the net. All square.
9.18pmAnd another bites the dust as a superb wide serve from Murray forces Djokovic to fire into the tramlines. One more to go.
9.17pmMurray saves the first with an emphatic passing shot down the line. Two left.
9.16pmTHREE BREAK POINTS DJOKOVIC...
Murray *1-0 DjokovicBREAK! When Andy Murray went to bed last night he will have dreamed of a start like that! He's broken at the first time of asking to love. Djokovic seemed to be struggling with his length in that opening game.
9.12pmTHREE BREAK POINTS MURRAY...
9.10pmDjokovic gets the men's 2012 US Open final underway...
9.09pm"Time" says the umpire. Moments away from the start now...
9.05pmHe must be pretty confident though! He's won the toss and elected to receive the Djokovic serve first. Hoping for an early break by the looks of it.
9.03pmHave to say that during those interviews Murray came across the more confident of the pair. Counts for little I know!
9.01pmHere come the players...
9.00pmMeanwhile Djokovic responds with: "Very few points and details will decide the winner. Let's have a good match."
9.00pmMurray says during his pre-match interview that it is "going to be a tough one". Not half!
8.59pmA former coach of Murray's, Miles Maclagan, has been discussion the 25-year-old's chances on BBC Sport: "He's going to need to be prepared to leave blood and sweat on the court. They are two of the best athletes in the game and there's no easy way through either of them. If Andy keeps knocking at the door he's going to break through eventually, but logically you have to say Djokovic is the favourite."
8.54pmOne man that is firmly backing Murray to win his first Grand Slam title is our very own Jack Prescott. Read his preview of the encounter here.
8.51pmMeanwhile, Murray looked relatively comfortable in the heavy breeze during his final four encounter against Tomas Berdych. Clutching at straws? Perhaps! We'll see.
8.50pmOne thing that could enhance Murray's chances is the fact that it is extremely windy at Flushing Meadows today. Djokovic struggled with the gales during the opening part of his semi-final against David Ferrer. It wasn't until the pair returned the next day when conditions were calmer that Djokovic turned on the style.
8.47pmDjokovic has faced Murray on 14 occasions, winning eight of those. The last time they met at Grand Slam level was at this year's Australian Open in what turned out to be one of the best matches in recent memory. Djoko eventually ran out a 7-5 winner in a deciding fifth set.
8.42pmOf course this match is not all about Murray. After all his opponent is the defending champ and a five-time Grand Slam winner!
8.41pmHowever, it may be worth noting that Murray's coach Ivan Lendl also lost his first four finals before he eventually won the US Open in 1985. There's no doubt that Lendl has had a positive impact on Murray's game. Has he done enough to turn him into a Grand Slam champion though?
8.39pmAnother defeat today will see the Scot write a little bit of unwanted history. Should Djokovic emerge victorious then Murray will become the first man in the history of the sport to lose his first five Grand Slam finals.
8.37pmIt would be fair to say that the omens do not look good for Murray. He's lost all four of the Grand Slam finals he's competed in - including a defeat to Roger Federer in New York back in 2008.
8.35pmThis year's US Open final sees Great Britain's Andy Murray take on defending champion Novak Djokovic - but you'd have to have been living in a hole over the last 24 hours not to know that!
8.32pmEvening all. So after 14 days we have reached arguably the biggest match of any Grand Slam event - the men's final!
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
