TENNIS - US OPEN: Andy Murray's US Open title dream was crushed at the hands of Roger Federer, who clinched a fifth straight title at Flushing Meadows.
The Swiss maestro was back to his brilliant best as he ended the Briton's hopes with a 6-2 7-5 6-2 victory in New York.
Federer's win gives him his 13th Grand Slam singles title and he is now just one shy of Pete Sampras' all-time record of 14 - the second seed vowed afterwards: "I'm not going to stop at 13 - that would be terrible."
Few would bet against him on this form.
Murray's only real chance came in the second set when he held three break points to move into a 3-2 lead, but Federer slammed the door firmly in his face.
That opportunity came during Federer's only shaky spell of the match but otherwise he was imperious, his brilliant forehand troubling Murray throughout.
Murray paid tribute to his conqueror, saying: "I had a great tournament but came up against, in my opinion, the best player ever to play the game.
"I got the better of him the last two times we played. He definitely set the record straight today."
Both players started well, Murray showing few signs of nerves in the opening exchanges of his first Grand Slam final.
But from 2-2 Federer took control, his piercing forehand being backed up with some excellent serving - his first-serve percentage in the first set was up at 76.
Murray could not cope with that and duly lost the first set in 26 minutes.
When Murray, looking to become Great Britain's first Grand Slam singles champion since Fred Perry in 1936, lost serve at the start of the second set he must have feared the worst, but he simply produced a superb return game to hit straight back.
With Federer's level dropping after his flying start, Murray was truly in the match at this stage but he missed his opportunity in the fifth game.
Federer netted with a volley to fall down 0-40 on serve. In response, Federer went for the lines and found them - at least according to the officials.
The second break point was saved with the help of a shot onto the baseline. Murray didn't challenge but had he done so it would have gone in his favour.
Federer had come up with his best stuff just when it was required and he did so again as the set reached its conclusion.
With Murray serving at 5-6, Federer came up with a near-perfect game. A smash brought up 0-40 and the first of the set points was taken when Federer ran down a drop shot before steering a forehand down the line.
At two sets down, the Briton was in deep trouble and a fightback proved beyond him.
With Federer attacking his second serve with relish, often charging in behind the return, Murray soon found himself 5-0 down and staring into the abyss.
The 21-year-old, the junior champion here four years ago, at least staged a mini-recovery by retrieving one of the breaks of serve.
He also saved the first championship point before Federer finished him off.
Murray kept the last point going as long as possible with some great defence but eventually could only find the top of the net, leaving Federer to collapse to the court in sheer delight after just an hour and 51 minutes of play.
Afterwards Federer, who becomes the first man in history to win five consecutive Wimbledons and five consecutive US Opens during his career, told the crowd: "This is a very special moment in my career. I had a couple of tough Grand Slams this year so to take this one home is incredible - it means the world to me."
He also paid tribute to Murray, saying: "I'm sure we will see much more of Andy in the future.
"Tennis is in a good place right now. We have incredible athletes out there right now. I'm loving playing on the tour."
Asked what he had learned from his great run, Murray's conclusion was: "I've got a lot of improvement to do if I want to win one of these tournaments."
He added: "I played three matches on Arthur Ashe - it's been the best time of my life."