LONDON -- For years, Andy Murray would whistle through the draws of majors, only to find a larger-than-life legend waiting for him in the final. Murray lost to?Roger Federer?in all three of their meetings in major finals and lost to?Novak Djokovic in five of seven similar showdowns.But Sundays championship match here at the All England Club featured Murray and Milos Raonic, a 25-year-old Canadian playing in his first Grand Slam final.In the critical moments -- and there were only a handful -- a slightly unsteady Raonic?looked like he was, in fact, playing the most important match of his life. Murray, meanwhile, was masterful, winning 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2).Afterward, Murray stood on Centre Court, bent at the waist, head in hands. Minutes later, he was still sobbing in his changeover chair.Sundays match marked the first Grand Slam final in which Murray was the prohibitive favorite -- and in front of his home fans, no less. Now 29, he has grown into that legend who always seemed to stand in his way when the title was on the line.?Im proud to have my hands on the trophy, Murray said on court. I played really good stuff today.[Its the] most important tournament for me every year. The wins feel extra special because of the losses.It was the third Grand Slam singles title for Murray, his second at Wimbledon, but the first in three years. After losses on the final day in Melbourne and Paris this season, Murray avoided a third consecutive loss in a major final this year.This was a hugely popular victory -- not just for the throng gathered on Henman Hill. Murray, a native of Scotland, has been embraced by even casual tennis fans in this country as one of their own.After his breakthrough here in 2013, Murray was so emotionally spent he said he didnt really enjoy his feat in becoming the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years.It was just pure relief, Murray explained in his postmatch news conference. Yes, its different. I feel happier this time. I feel more content this time.And dont discount the back surgery Murray underwent that fall. This was his fourth major final since that unnerving event, and the first time hes won.Raonic gets credit for doing most of the heavy lifting coming in, beating the guy -- Sam Querrey -- who beat Djokovic in the quarterfinals and dispatching Federer in an emotional five-set semifinal match.The coaches of the two finalists, winners of a combined 15 Grand Slam singles titles and once bitter rivals, were one of the leading plotlines in the London tabloids.Ivan Lendl recently rejoined Murray with the goal of winning this tournament. John McEnroe was added to Raonics team as a grass consultant for the same reason. Both succeeded in getting their charges to be more aggressive, especially in the service game, and to move forward when the openings presented themselves.Murray was philosophical afterward, talking about learning from his previous losses and not being afraid of failing.I do feel like Im able to, I dont know, play a more offensive game style now than when I was younger because I was so worried about the outcome, Murray said. Maybe my game is a little more exciting when I go for shots that I wouldnt have when I was younger.I still feel my best tennis is ahead of me.Raonic ultimately came to the net 74 times, winning 46 of the points. Murray, 17-for-22, was more judicious -- and efficient.McEnroe, also under contract to provide analysis for ESPN and the BBC, did the BBC prematch show on Centre Court and called the match for ESPN.Milos Raonic is in this situation for the first time, McEnroe observed. He has to go for it.And while Raonic made every effort to serve big and come forward early and often, there was a spark missing. Perhaps he was still physically and mentally drained from that rousing, signature win against Federer.This ones going to sting, Raonic said afterward. Its been a phenomenal two weeks at this tournament. I keep plugging away every single day. Theres nothing I want more than to be back here.This set the Royal Box, which was packed with the British aristocracy -- a seriously pro-Murray audience -- ablaze. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate) were on hand, sans their children. Although the Duchess, attending Thursday, revealed that Prince George already has a tennis racket.Prime Minister David Cameron and Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeon were also there, along with actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Hugh Grant and Bradley Cooper. There were even some tennis players: Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg and Chris Evert.At one point in the second set, Raonic, who the London tabloids dubbed The Maple Missile, hit a 147 mph body serve -- and lost the point. He also hit a 124 mph second-serve ace. Murray has now won the past six matches between the two.Murray?still has the worst winning percentage in major finals in mens tennis history, at 3-8 (.273). The good news? Murray is inching closer to the 8-11 (.421) mark of his coach, Lendl. Its not a coincidence that Murrays three major titles have all come with Lendl in the coaching box.This fortnight felt like a bracing blast of fresh air hit mens tennis at the All England Club. It was the first Wimbledon final in 14 years without either Federer, Djokovic or Rafael Nadal. Raonic was trying to become the youngest Wimbledon champion since the 24-year-old Djokovic won his first in 2011.Along with Marin Cilic, Stan Wawrinka and a resurgent Juan Martin del Potro, Murray has been able to break through the Big Four wall, albeit sparingly. But this just might be the event that vaults Murray into the role of a legitimate rival for Djokovic.Murray, who admitted he was very nervous before the match, said the role of favorite didnt feel all that different.No different from the other Slams, really, he said. Just a different opponent on the other side, with different challenges, just like Roger and Novak.I think I handled it OK.It appears he did. Diogo Dalot Jersey . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Romelu Lukaku Manchester United Jersey .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. http://www.jerseymanchesterunitedsoccer.com/womens-timothy-fosu-mensah-manchester-united-jersey/ .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. Marcus Rashford Manchester United Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. Jesse Lingard Jersey . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. The idea of a South African pace pack should conjure up images of fire and fury, speed and snarling, aggression and attitude. Its vinnige (fast) Fanie, angry Allan Donald, dramatic Dale Steyn. Theres not much room for boring, even less for subtle, except now.In Hobart, South Africa showed not just their skills but also the consistency with which they can execute that talent. They have mastered the margins and operate within them with such accuracy that theyve taken 10 wickets for under 100 runs seven times in the last five years. Thats more than any other team. In this series, theyve already done it twice.Their three-pronged pace pack, even without Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, can apply consistent pressure. They bowl on a ten cent piece, Steven Smith, Australias embattled captain, said. They dont give you any freebies. They challenge your defenses.As a collective, they always challenge batsmens defenses, albeit in different ways. First there is Vernon Philander, whose strategy is the simplest. On a surface which offers any assistance, he is doubly effective. He showed it on the first morning: fourth stump, outside off, move the ball a little. He chases the edge and targets the pads, limits the runs but does not search for speed. It doesnt matter if you bowl 115 or 150, he said. He reeled off five successive maidens on the final morning as proof.From the other end, there is Kagiso Rabada, who can send the speed gun soaring towards 150kph and can unleash a yorker as dangerous as his bouncer. Rabada has endless energy, the stamina for long spells and the sensibility to know what to do during them. A thoroughbred, former bowling coach Allan Donald called him. The ace for South Africa in this Test was Kyle Abbott. Coming off the bench, having last played a Test match in January and considering himself outside the first three or maybe even four seamers to play he looked the part. Abbott was picked ahead of Morkel not only because the latter is still searching for match fitness, but also because seam movement was going to be a factor. Abbott more than justified his inclusion. He worked Usman Khawaja over on the final morning by pitching it up and either moving it away or straightening; eventually he cashed in on Khawajas uncerrtainty.dddddddddddd Adam Voges also misjudged the length, underlining Abbotts ability to force the batsmen into a shot.I stick to top of off with the odd bouncer. My theory is always to make the batsmen play, Abbott said.Especially because when they are playing, they can never be quite sure what they playing at. Abbott told the ABC that seam movement is something that surprises him as much as it does the batsmen. I actually dont know when its going to do that. If you watch my seam closely, the ones that nip back - its quite upright, but then when it gets a bit towards second slip to the right-hander it hits the shiny side and goes the other way. Thats a little bit of inconsistency in my wrist but I suppose if I dont know when its coming how the hell does the batsman know? I try and hit the stumps - off, middle, whatever it is - as hard as I can and let the natural variation do the work.It must be noted that discipline of the South African attack has gone up a notch since Charl Langeveldt took over as bowling coach after the 2015 World Cup. He was a relentless bowler himself - not emphatic - but insistent and he seems to be passing on the baton.The skills South Africa have were on display, not on the final morning, but on the third evening. Abbott termed it the investment session when they beat the bat repeatedly but failed to find the edge. Philander showed some frustration but in general, South Africa were gearing up for a protracted battle against batsmen Quinton de Kock said looked determined to hang around. From the start of a Test match, we talk about winning it on the last afternoon, willing to take it deep and be as patient as possible, de Kock said after the days play.Australia did not have the same idea. They collapsed for the third time in the series, against an attack that made it clear they could keep coming at them for as long as it took. Test cricket is a ruthless environment. Its about who can hold those pressure situations most and be ruthless with just wanting more. Its about never being happy with what youve done and always trying to be your best for the team, Abbott said. ' ' '