• What the Deuce

Murray's big chance passes him by

Andy Murray is yet to win a set in three grand slam finals © PA Photos

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When Andy Murray first burst onto the scene, the strawberry-munching British public were stunned. Who was this young, surly Scot threatening to replace 'Tiger' Tim Henman as British No. 1?

Tough, gruff and aggressive; Murray was everything that Henman was not. While not as instantly likeable as the well-spoken middle-class Henman, Murray soon began to win over the hearts of the British fans, and Andymonium took over from Henmania on Murray Mount, the location formerly known as Henman Hill.

Perhaps this young, feisty Scot could accomplish what Henman, the perennial Wimbledon semi-finalist, could never quite manage - ending Britain's grand slam drought. John Lloyd, Henman, Greg Rusedski had all lived under the shadow of Fred Perry - the last British grand slam winner back in 1936. They all came close, only to fall at the last.

Murray took on the mantle as the great British hope, and when he reached the 2008 US Open final at the age of just 21, we began to believe that he could do it. He didn't, but he came up against Roger Federer - four-time defending champion and fell in straight sets 6-2 7-5 6-2.

It would be another 16 months before he reached another final at the Australian Open, but this time he was stronger, mentally tougher and more mature. But once again he fell to Federer in the final, falling 6-3 6-4 7-6(11).

Murray must have been licking his lips as the draw opened up his route to the final in 2011. First to topple was fourth seed Robin Soderling, then David Ferrer disposed of Rafael Nadal. And then Federer, the man who had twice denied him his maiden grand slam, was dumped out by Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

With Federer out of the way, many believed Murray would make it third time lucky. He had beaten the Serb the last three times the pair had met, although not played since March 2009. Both have played second fiddle to the Roger-Rafa show for so many years, but while Djokovic had the advantage of already having a major title under his belt, Murray had the hunger to join him on the trophy.

Or did he? It was only the third final since June 2004 that did not feature either Nadal or Federer, perhaps the best chance Murray will ever have. Tennis fans across Britain forfeited their Sunday morning lie-in to tune in to watch Murray end Britain's drought.

Murray may not get a better chance to win a grand slam © Getty Images

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But his challenge melted in the Melbourne heat and he limped to defeat - though his words reflected his frustration, his body language suggested he simply wasn't up for it. And he stood quietly disappointed as Djokovic accepted the Norman Brookes trophy.

A year ago, Murray struggled to keep hold on his emotions, famously saying, "I can cry like Roger, it's a shame I can't play like him." But despite the defeat, there was little doubt that Murray would break his duck.

"We've seen today's champion in Roger Federer and we've seen tomorrow's champion in Andy Murray," Geoff Pollard, president of Tennis Australia, said, while Federer added: "You are too good of a player to not win a grand slam, so don't worry about it."

But the longer the monkey is on Murray's back, the heavier it will get. While the expectation of the British public will only add to the burden, the greatest pressure should be that which Murray places on himself. Deep down only he knows whether he has what it takes to win a major, and judging by his comments after his defeat, the omens are not good.

"It's not something that I lose sleep over at night," Murray said after the final. "It's going to be tough for a few days but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. I train very hard, I take tennis very seriously, but I love my life away from tennis."

Not really the fighting talk we have come to expect from the feisty Scot from Dunblane. It's only a game, and all that.

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