What a week for Andy Murray. He has risen to no 4 in the world rankings and reached the final of the US Open after defeating the World No. 1, Rafael Nadal, 6-2, 7-6,4-6,6-4. in the semi-finals.

It took a splendid performance by Roger Federer, rated by many as the greatest player ever, to halt Murray in the final, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2. The Swiss world No 2 won the US title for the fifth time in a row, matching his incredible run at Wimbledon, which came to an end in July.

Murray is the first Briton to contest a US Open final since Greg Rusedski lost to Pat Rafter in 1997. Murray’s display in the semi-finals against Nadal, the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympic Games champion, was awesome. He played the best tennis of his life, proving that he deserves to be among the top 4 players and a contender for major honours.

Peter Fleming, a multiple Grand Slam doubles champion in partnership with John McEnroe, felt the rain delay on Saturday that carried the match over to Sunday might benefit Murray, who may have struggled to maintain the pace in Saturday’s intense heat. At the same time, Nadal was given a a chance to regroup.

Neither player seemed to have been affected by the delay, however, and we  were treated to some exquisite tennis before the duel ended after a total of. 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Murray demonstrated that he not only had the physical fitness to go head-to-head with the world no 1, but also the mental toughness to overcome the disappointment of losing the third set, then getting off to a poor start in the fourth.

Murray drew Nadal to the net at match point and  pushed a backhand to the back of the court, leaving the Spaniard stranded.

Although Murray was unable to repeat the performance against Federer, he left Flushing Meadows richer in both wealth and experience.

His stirring New York adventure also guaranteed Murray his qualification for the Masters Cup in Shanghai in November.