Murray lays down Wimbledon marker

Andy Murray became the first British champion at Queen's since 1938 with victory in straight sets over American James Blake today.

Murray felt he produced some of the best tennis of his career to lift the AEGON Championship crown, his first grass court success on home soil.

The Scot triumphed 7-5 6-4 and is now hoping for similar success at Wimbledon.

"I played some of the best tennis I've ever played in my life," said Murray. "I was playing well all week and took my chances when I had them.

"I was quite nervous today because no British player had won here for 70-odd years, so it got the nerves going, especially when I was serving for the match.

"James is a very tough player, we have only met once before so I didn't know what to expect. He had a great week and beat a lot of big servers.

"The only thing left is to try and get a grand slam title in a couple of weeks.

"I've played well this week and now I have to focus on getting ready for Wimbledon.

"I'm a long way from winning Wimbledon but if I play my best, like I have done this week, then I have got a chance.

"But I'm up against two of the greatest players of all time in Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal and it will be tough to get past them."

Blake won his first service game to love, but Murray responded by doing likewise and then claimed the first break of serve when his opponent went long with an attempted pass.

It gave the 22-year-old Briton a 2-1 lead but Blake, who has an English mother and has always received strong support at Queen's and Wimbledon, hit back immediately and then held serve to take a 3-2 lead.

The next five games also went with serve before Murray made the breakthrough, converting a break point when Blake overhit a forehand.

That gave the world number three the chance to serve for the set and when Blake netted on set point, Murray took a huge step towards the title.

The first six games of the second set went with serve before Murray secured the vital break courtesy of a sublime cross-court winner and an unforced error from Blake.

Murray was in dominant mood and easily won the following game with a combination of passing shots and powerful serves.

Blake held serve to stay in the match but it was merely delaying the inevitable as Murray held his nerve to take the set 6-4 and become the first British champion at Queen's since Bunny Austin in 1938, the same year in which Austin reached the Wimbledon final.