By Nick Harris

31 January 2010

Roger Federer extended his record as the most prolific winner of men’s Grand Slam singles titles in Melbourne today by beating Andy Murray in straight sets to win the Australian Open. Fereder’s 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11) victory gave him his 16th Slam singles title and left Murray, 22, in tears.

“Sorry I couldn’t do it for you tonight,” Murray told his fans when interviewed during the presentation. “I can cry like Roger, it’s just a shame I can’t play like him.”

Federer, famously a weeper himself in the past, showed no hint of waterworks, playing the seasoned professional by name-checking tournament sponsors as well as his back-up team during his acceptance speech.

“Well done for your incredible tournament,” the 28-year-old Swiss told Murray. “You played fantastic and you’re too good of a player not to win a grand slam, so don’t worry about it.”

Federer’s first prize of Aus$2.1m took his career prize money total above US$55m (£34.5m), further extending his all-time record in that sphere too. His 16 Slam wins extend his lead over Pete Sampras (who had 14). Australia was Federer’s 22nd Slam singles final, so he has also extended his all-time lead over Ivan Lendl (19 finals). An A-list of the all-time men’s Slam singles winners can be found in our features section.

Despite his defeat, Murray remains a strong favourite with the bookmakers to win a Slam singles final at some stage. Ladbrokes price him at 1-3 to do so during his career, 11-8 to win a Slam this year, and 8-15 not to do so this year.

The next Slam is the French Open in May. Rafael Nadal is the odds-on favourite despite ongoing concerns about his knee injury. Federer is favourite for the year’s third Slam, Wimbledon, with Murray the second favourite for that. Federer is favourite for the US Open, followed by Juan Martin Del Potro, Murray and Nadal.