IT was a return to Grand Slam heartbreak for Andy Murray as world No 1 Novak Djokovic wreaked revenge for his defeat at the Scot's hands just four months ago by blowing him off the court at the Australian Open final in three sets to one.
As the Serb collected the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup trophy for the third time in a row – taking his majors titles to six – Murray's hopes of becoming the first Briton to win the event since Fred Perry in 1934 were dashed. He lost 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 6-2.
His next opportunity to follow-up his historic US Open success and claim a second Grand Slam victory will have to wait until the French Open in May.
Murray appeared to become frustrated by crowd noise and handed control to Djokovic as his mother Judy and girlfriend Kim Sears struggled to watch from the players' box.
It was a disappointing turn-around from the pair's epic five-setter in New York last September, which saw Murray claim his first Grand Slam.
Nonetheless, a clearly an emotional Murray was gracious in defeat, thanking the crowd and congratulating Djokovic.
"His record here is incredible," he added.
Judy Murray also congratulated Djokovic on Twitter, adding: "Incredible athlete. Perfect gentleman."
Speaking afterwards, Murray said: "I played a good second set. I created quite a few chances, but didn't quite get them. That was the difference."
He said a blister "hurt when I ran", but added: "It had no bearing at all on the result."
The agony was shared by fans and family in his home town of Dunblane. Around 40 people were in the Dunblane Hotel bar – many from 8am.
Jennifer Morris, 28, from Dunblane, said: "You could tell, though, through that game he was sweating, he seemed a bit stressed out by it all and then you saw his foot with the blister. Just from the start I didn't think he had it."
James Thacker, 33, from Eyemouth, said: "Obviously, it's really, really gutting. He started well and it looked like he could do it, but as the match went on it just got further and further away from him."
Families and young players also gathered at the Dunblane Sports Club, where Murray and older brother Jamie honed their skills as children.
Michael Welsh, 15, the current gentleman's club champion, said: "Djokovic was too good on the day, but that's Andy's third Grand Slam final in a row. He's a massive inspiration to us."
David Marshall, chief executive of Tennis Scotland, also watched in the Dunblane Sports Club. He said: "A lot of Andy's big matches, he's gone away, developed and come back stronger. I think we'll see him in more Grand Slam finals this year and for years to come."
The star's grandfather, Roy Erskine, a former Hibs footballer said: "There's always disappointment when you don't get a result in a big match like that.
"The quality of Djokovic's last two sets was unbelievable. How well he played after he won the second set to break up his game. His service improved and he wasn't missing. I don't think we were too upset about the result."
First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Andy played a great tournament and put in a fantastic effort. With one Grand Slam and an Olympic title under his belt, Andy is already a Scottish sporting legend."
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