Murray aims for US Open victory

Murray fired up for final showdown

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ANDY Murray believes he can tonight become the first Scot to win the US Open title.

Murray takes on holder Roger Federer in New York still buzzing after his sensational semi-final victory over top seed Rafael Nadal to make his first grand slam final.

Murray said: “I said at the start of this tournament, I want to try and win it.

“I played well enough to beat the number one player in the world over two days and I’ve beaten Roger in the past.

“I think it’s more I have the tennis to compete with those guys. I just have to make sure I do it for three out of five sets rather than for a set and a half, two sets.”

Murray played the match of his life to overcome Nadal in their rain delayed clash in the last four.

The Scot had opened up a two-sets-to-love lead at Louis Armstrong Stadium but was a break down in the third set at 3-2 when play was suspended after two hours and one minute.

When the players returned their contest had been switched to the main show court, Arthur Ashe Stadium, as the sunshine and heat returned to the Big Apple.

Murray was unable to break back in the third set and at a break down and 0-30 in the fourth set, Nadal looked a safe bet to force the match into a deciding fifth set.

Yet the Scot dug deep to turn the match back in his favour, breaking back and winning the match on the Spaniard’s serve 89 minutes after the resumption – his first win in six attempts against Nadal.

Murray said: “I’m obviously delighted. He’s the best player in the world this year because he’s played great tennis.

“I just had to try and stay aggressive and stay focused on getting a the win.”

Murray is now looking forward to taking on Federer, the final starts at 10pm, as he bids to become the first British man to win a grand slam title since Fred Perry won the US Open in 1936.

Federer beat Novak Djokovic in four sets on Saturday, completing his victory before the rain fell in New York.

Murray, 21, admits his winning record against the four-time defending champion will be meaningless tonight. The British No1 has beaten Federer in two of their three previous meetings.

Murray said: “Yeah, I’ve played well against him in the past, but a slam final is different. He’s obviously won over 30 matches in a row here so he’s going to be feeling confident going in.

“I’m going to need to be at the very top of my game.”