Andy Murray of Great Britain kisses the U.S. Open championship trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles final match on Day 15 of the 2012 U.S. Open on Monday, September 10. Murray defeated Djokovic 7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2. Check out images from the Women's U.S. Open Final. 
Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles final match on Monday. 
Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles final match on Monday. 
Andy Murray celebrates after gaining a point against Novak Djokovic on Monday. 
Novak Djokovic reacts during his men's singles final match against Andy Murray. 
Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts during his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Monday. 
Fans of tennis player Andy Murray react as they watch his U.S. Open men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic in the bar of The Dunblane Hotel on Monday in his hometown of Dunblane, Scotland. 
A fan of tennis player Andy Murray reacts as she watches his U.S. Open men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic in the bar of The Dunblane Hotel on Monday in Murray's hometown of Dunblane, Scotland. 
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts on court against Andy Murray of Great Britain during the 2012 U.S. Open men's singles final match on Monday, September 10. 
Andy Murray returns a shot against Novak Djokovic on Monday. 
Spectators inside Arthur Ashe Stadium watch the men's singles final match between Andy Murray of Great Britain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Day 15 of the 2012 U.S. Open on Monday, September 10. 
Novak Djokovic returns a shot to Andy Murray on Monday. 
Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates getting set point after the first set during his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Day 15 of the 2012 U.S. Open on Monday, September 10. 
Novak Djokovic drops to the floor as he returns a shot on Monday. 
Andy Murray looks on during a break in his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic on Monday. 
Andy Murray reacts during his match against Novak Djokovic on Monday. 
Novak Djokovic returns a shot against Andy Murray on Monday. 
Andy Murray serves during his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Monday, September 10, day 15 of the 2012 U.S. Open. 
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot at the 2012 U.S. Open on Monday. 
Andy Murray of Great Britain returns a shot during his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Monday. 
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot on Monday. 
Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves during his men's singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on Monday. 
Andy Murray of Great Britain wipes his face with a towel during his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Monday. 
Andy Murray of Great Britain returns a shot against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Monday. 
- Andy Murray becomes the first British man to win a Grand Slam in 76 years
- The Scot won the five-set thriller despite surrendering a two-set lead
- Murray won the Gold medal earlier in the summer at the London Olympics
- Murray will now replace the injured Rafael Nadal as World Number 3
(CNN) -- Andy Murray became the first British man to win a Grand Slam final since Fred Perry in 1936 after defeating Novak Djokovic in the final of the U.S. Open.
The Scot even surrendered a two-set lead during a five-set thriller that lasted almost five hours, before he regained his focus to win 7-6 (12-10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2 in swirling winds at Flushing Meadows.
It proved to be fifth time lucky for the Olympic champion, who -- like his coach Ivan Lendl -- had lost his previous four Grand Slam finals.
Murray will now replace the injured Rafael Nadal as World Number 3 in the official men's rankings.
'Shocked' Williams wins U.S. Open final thriller
"It was incredibly tricky conditions and in the third and fourth sets, it was really tough because Novak is really strong and fights all the way," said Murray after the match.
Can Murray win first tennis grand slam? "It was close to five hours. I have always had tough matches with him."
With his support team in New York swelled by fellow celebrity Scots, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and actor Sean Connery, the 25 year old singled out his coach, three-time U.S. Open champion Lendl, for praise.
"He was one of the greatest," Murray said. "He has helped me through the tough times as have all of my team. It's the best feeling for me, I've had an unbelievable summer."
After narrowly losing the first two sets, Djokovic proved why he was the defending champion, as he battled back to take the third and fourth sets with apparent ease as far as the scoreboard was concerned -- though in reality both players fought tooth and nail for every single point.
Though the momentum appeared to be with Djokovic, Murray refused to give up and summoned his earlier verve and aggression to put his visibly tiring opponent on the back foot once again.
Not even a late pause for treatment on the Serb's cramping leg could prevent Murray from closing in on the prize British tennis has coveted for 76 years, much to the delight of the crowd inside the cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium.
With Murray clearly stunned by events, Djokovic was quick to pay pay tribute to his great friend and rival.
"It wasn't to be and I want to congratulate Andy on a first Grand Slam. He deserves it," he said.
"I tried my best and I gave it my all. It was another tremendous match and I am proud to have been part of it. It went to the last moment."
