Andy Murray failed to overcome Roger Federer and win Britain's first men's Grand Slam title in 74 years, but he earned the applause of the Australian media Monday for his fight against the Swiss master.

Amid soaring expectations from the British public, Murray lost Sunday's final in straight sets but his journey to centre court has revived hopes that Britain can finally end its long drought.

"Given the manner in which Murray fought for his life in an epic third-set tiebreaker — the longest in the tournament's history — a breakthrough win in a major mightn't be far away for the 22-year-old," the Daily Telegraph said.

Murray himself said he put up a better fight against the brilliant Federer, who took his 16th Grand Slam title, than in their previous Grand Slam encounter in the final of the 2008 US Open.

"Obviously I'm getting closer," the Scot told a postmatch press conference after breaking down in tears during the trophy presentation. "I mean, my results in the Grand Slams would show that. ”