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LONDON -- For years, Andy Murray would whistle through the draws of majors, only to find a larger-than-life legend waiting for him in the final. Murray lost to?Roger Federer?in all three of their meetings in major finals and lost to?Novak Djokovic in five of seven similar showdowns.But Sundays championship match here at the All England Club featured Murray and Milos Raonic, a 25-year-old Canadian playing in his first Grand Slam final.In the critical moments -- and there were only a handful -- a slightly unsteady Raonic?looked like he was, in fact, playing the most important match of his life. Murray, meanwhile, was masterful, winning 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2).Afterward, Murray stood on Centre Court, bent at the waist, head in hands. Minutes later, he was still sobbing in his changeover chair.Sundays match marked the first Grand Slam final in which Murray was the prohibitive favorite -- and in front of his home fans, no less. Now 29, he has grown into that legend who always seemed to stand in his way when the title was on the line.?Im proud to have my hands on the trophy, Murray said on court. I played really good stuff today.[Its the] most important tournament for me every year. The wins feel extra special because of the losses.It was the third Grand Slam singles title for Murray, his second at Wimbledon, but the first in three years. After losses on the final day in Melbourne and Paris this season, Murray avoided a third consecutive loss in a major final this year.This was a hugely popular victory -- not just for the throng gathered on Henman Hill. Murray, a native of Scotland, has been embraced by even casual tennis fans in this country as one of their own.After his breakthrough here in 2013, Murray was so emotionally spent he said he didnt really enjoy his feat in becoming the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years.It was just pure relief, Murray explained in his postmatch news conference. Yes, its different. I feel happier this time. I feel more content this time.And dont discount the back surgery Murray underwent that fall. This was his fourth major final since that unnerving event, and the first time hes won.Raonic gets credit for doing most of the heavy lifting coming in, beating the guy -- Sam Querrey -- who beat Djokovic in the quarterfinals and dispatching Federer in an emotional five-set semifinal match.The coaches of the two finalists, winners of a combined 15 Grand Slam singles titles and once bitter rivals, were one of the leading plotlines in the London tabloids.Ivan Lendl recently rejoined Murray with the goal of winning this tournament. John McEnroe was added to Raonics team as a grass consultant for the same reason. Both succeeded in getting their charges to be more aggressive, especially in the service game, and to move forward when the openings presented themselves.Murray was philosophical afterward, talking about learning from his previous losses and not being afraid of failing.I do feel like Im able to, I dont know, play a more offensive game style now than when I was younger because I was so worried about the outcome, Murray said. Maybe my game is a little more exciting when I go for shots that I wouldnt have when I was younger.I still feel my best tennis is ahead of me.Raonic ultimately came to the net 74 times, winning 46 of the points. Murray, 17-for-22, was more judicious -- and efficient.McEnroe, also under contract to provide analysis for ESPN and the BBC, did the BBC prematch show on Centre Court and called the match for ESPN.Milos Raonic is in this situation for the first time, McEnroe observed. He has to go for it.And while Raonic made every effort to serve big and come forward early and often, there was a spark missing. Perhaps he was still physically and mentally drained from that rousing, signature win against Federer.This ones going to sting, Raonic said afterward. Its been a phenomenal two weeks at this tournament. I keep plugging away every single day. Theres nothing I want more than to be back here.This set the Royal Box, which was packed with the British aristocracy -- a seriously pro-Murray audience -- ablaze. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate) were on hand, sans their children. Although the Duchess, attending Thursday, revealed that Prince George already has a tennis racket.Prime Minister David Cameron and Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeon were also there, along with actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Hugh Grant and Bradley Cooper. There were even some tennis players: Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg and Chris Evert.At one point in the second set, Raonic, who the London tabloids dubbed The Maple Missile, hit a 147 mph body serve -- and lost the point. He also hit a 124 mph second-serve ace. Murray has now won the past six matches between the two.Murray?still has the worst winning percentage in major finals in mens tennis history, at 3-8 (.273). The good news? Murray is inching closer to the 8-11 (.421) mark of his coach, Lendl. Its not a coincidence that Murrays three major titles have all come with Lendl in the coaching box.This fortnight felt like a bracing blast of fresh air hit mens tennis at the All England Club. It was the first Wimbledon final in 14 years without either Federer, Djokovic or Rafael Nadal. Raonic was trying to become the youngest Wimbledon champion since the 24-year-old Djokovic won his first in 2011.Along with Marin Cilic, Stan Wawrinka and a resurgent Juan Martin del Potro, Murray has been able to break through the Big Four wall, albeit sparingly. But this just might be the event that vaults Murray into the role of a legitimate rival for Djokovic.Murray, who admitted he was very nervous before the match, said the role of favorite didnt feel all that different.No different from the other Slams, really, he said. Just a different opponent on the other side, with different challenges, just like Roger and Novak.I think I handled it OK.It appears he did.Cheap Yeezy 350 V3 .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. Cheap Yeezys Fake . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. http://www.yeezys350cheap.com/cheapest-yeezy-boost-350-v2-lundmark-lundmark.html . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. Wholesale Yeezy 350 . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Yeezy 350 v2 Zebra Online . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games.NEW YORK -- Max Scherzer is headed to the All-Star Game, picked as a replacement for Washington Nationals teammate Stephen Strasburg.Strasburg originally was selected to pitch for the National League team, but he came off the disabled list Sunday and wont participate as a precaution.The Nationals say Strasburg, who is from San Diego, plans to attend the game.Max was excited. Never seen a veteran guy as elated as he to be a part of the All-Star Game, Washington manager Dusty Baker said. I think hes a good representative to show people what a privilege and an honor it is to go.Strasburg started Friday night in a 3-1 win over the New York Mets, his second outing since coming off the DL. He returned from an upper-back strain Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds.Because of Stephens injury that he just came off of, being on three days rest, it would have cost him time again with us, Baker said. So Im just glad that hes going, especially in his hometown. But theres a lot of risk for Stephen since he just came off the DL, and you dont know how hes going to come through this game tonight. So everybody decided itd be better that he doesnt start or pitch.Strasburg is 12-0 with a 2.662 ERA this season.ddddddddddddScherzer is 9-6 with a 3.21 ERA.Major League Baseball also announced Friday that Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders and San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt won the final two All-Star roster spots, elected by fans in online balloting.This is a proud moment for me and my family, Saunders said. Everyone knows that Canada takes care of their own. Im Canadian through and through. Just to feel that support, the best way I can describe, everyones been asking me, is I feel loved by this country. To see the support they gave me is very humbling.Saunders joins the American League team, while Belt gets a slot on the NL squad.Extremely excited, obviously. Its hard to put into words, Belt said. I just cant believe that Im an All-Star this year. Its pretty cool, especially when you step back and think about how many fans voted and how many times they voted, how many messages that I got of how their thumbs were numb. Its pretty overwhelming to think about.The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '