00.06BST Federer wins the match 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 The Swiss drops to the floor at the end of a fabulous exchange in celebration of his fifth consecutive US Open. It was a superb display from the second seed, who answered his critics in the best possible style. Murray has done himself proud and it would have taken a great display from any player in the world to have beaten Federer at his best tonight.

23.59BST Federer 5, Murray 2 (Sets: 2-0) Murray once again proves what a fighter he is, refusing to give up at the end of a fantastic two weeks. He breaks the Swiss and keeps the match alive. The American crowd roar in appreciation of the Scot's efforts.

23.54BST Federer 5, Murray 1 (Sets: 2-0) Murray fights to the last and sends down an ace on the way to his first game of the third set. Federer serves for the match and his thirteenth grand slam.

23.51BST Federer 5, Murray 0 (Sets: 2-0) This will be over in a matter of minutes. Federer is one game away from the title.

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Murray is not your polite public schoolboy. He’s a ferocious stand up and be counted Scot

Simon Barnes

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23.48BST Federer 4, Murray 0 (Sets: 2-0) The four times champion is closing in on his fifth US Open, breaking Murray with ease. Andy's mother, Judy, and girlfriend, Kim Sears, look on from the stands with concern.

23.45BST Federer 3, Murray 0 (Sets: 2-0) Murray takes the world No 2 to deuce, but cannot convert the pressure. He is starting to look a little tired and there is a long way to go if he is to achieve what many would see as the impossible. He must start by holding his serve.

23.40BST Federer 2, Murray 0 (Sets: 2-0) This doesn't look good for the Scot, losing his serve to love. Federer wins the first point of the set with a sublime drop shot, Murray hits the second into the net, before the Swiss sucks the Scot into the net and puts the ball away into the open court. This could soon be all over.

23.37BST Federer 1, Murray 0 (Sets: 2-0) The champion holds easily, now how deep can Murray dig?

23.33BST Federer 7, Murray 5 (Sets: 1-0) Brilliance from Federer. The champion chases down a drop shot from Murray and whips a forehand inside the line to claim the set. He breaks Murray to love and you've just got to sit back and applaud.

23.28BST Federer 6, Murray 5 (Sets: 1-0) Federer holds and all the pressure is back on Murray's serve. You feel he needs to win the game...oh, OK, I'll stop there.

23.25BST Federer 5, Murray 5 (Sets: 1-0) He holds easily, with no sign of any nerves. I'll try to stop being so dramatic...Murray's got it all under control.

23.21BST Federer 5, Murray 4 (Sets: 1-0) Murray loses the game playing aggressive tennis. He hits a stunning whipped forehand from out wide to win one point, but hits another long and one more wide as Federer edges ahead once again. All the pressure is now on the Murray serve. You feel he needs to win the game to have a real chance in this final.