Ace in the pack: Murray makes history as he serves up the 16th gold for Team GB

After losing three times to his Swiss nemesis in grand slam finals – including Wimbledon less than a month ago – Murray swept to a straight sets win in which Federer won just seven games.

And after the Scot grabbed the glory in the afternoon it was the turn of Jamaican sprinting superstar Usain Bolt to take centre stage last night by winning the 100 metres in the second fastest time in history. Bolt stormed to victory in just 9.63 seconds, a new Olympic record.

Earlier Murray, who picked up Team GB’s 16th gold medal, sank to his knees in the moment of victory then climbed into the family box to embrace his girlfriend Kim Sears and proud mother Judy.

Asked about the scale of his achievement, Murray said: “It’s number one for me – the biggest win of my life.”

Murray’s 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win in just under two hours represented Federer’s heaviest defeat at the All England Club. It was also Britain’s first Olympic men’s singles title since 1908.

Murray, who sang the national anthem at the medal ceremony, said he took inspiration from the crowd and from other British success.

“They were unbelievable. It’s not just here but all of the events I’ve watched,” he said.

“I watched the athletics last night and it was amazing.

“The momentum I think the teams have from the last couple of days has been so good.”

Murray was later unable to add another gold in the mixed doubles but still picked up silver with his mixed doubles partner Laura Robson after a narrow defeat by Belarusians Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi.