MELBOURNE-- Roger Federer's emphatic Australian Open victory over Andy Murray on Sunday was the perfect riposte to those who have questioned his continued hunger for grand slam success.
The 6-3 6-4 7-6 win shattered British dreams of a first men's grand slam champion in 74 years and dashed the notion that the new husband and father might temper his pursuit of glory after breaking Pete Sampras's grand slam record.
"I always knew I had it in my hand. The question is (did) I have it in my mind and in my legs," Federer told reporters after extending his record to 16 grand slams, two more than Sampras and a whopping 10 more than nearest current challenger Rafa Nadal.
"That's something I had to work extremely hard at. Now I feel like obviously I'm being pushed a great deal by the new generation coming up.
"I think that's also thanks to guys like Murray. They've made me a better player, because I think this has been one of my finest performances, you know, in a long time, or maybe forever."
A year after shedding bitter tears in the wake of his five-set loss to Nadal for the title in 2009, the imperious win left his opponent choking back sobs, having missed five set points in an epic third-set tiebreaker.
The raw emotion that cut Murray's presentation speech short was all too familiar to Federer, who spent months battling to find lost confidence and form last year.
"You know, in a way it was hard to watch, but at the same time I like seeing players who care for the game," said Federer.
"It's nice to see. So you wish only the best for him.
"The next one is not gonna get any easier (for Murray). But his game is so good that I'm convinced he will win one."
The latest grand slam success has not fuelled any new ambitions for Federer, who said simply he hoped his twin girls might join his wife Mirka in the players' box next year.
"My game is not as taxing as other players' games. I also think I have a very relaxed mind when it comes to the game of tennis.
"But off the court, it's a matter of relaxing and enjoying it, you know, seeing friends and families. There's more important things than tennis after all.
"I think that's something I've always had a clear vision of how my life is. I think that's also helped me to go through better and tougher phases, because I know this is an incredible trip I'm on.
"We'll see where it ends, you know. I hope not anytime soon."
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands-- Dutch leaders PSV Eindhoven were held to a 0-0 draw at Vitesse Arnhem on Sunday as Twente Enschede joined them at the top after a 2-0 home win over Roda JC Kerkrade.
PSV stay top on goal difference from Twente. Both have 52 points after 20 matches. Third-placed Ajax have 43 points after a 1-1 draw away at fierce rivals Feyenoord who are fourth on 39 points.
Kenneth Perez broke the deadlock for Twente in the 71st minute and Costa Rican Bryan Ruiz sealed victory a minute later with his 14th of the season.
Ajax went ahead against Feyenoord through Marko Pantelic after 25 minutes after good work from Demy de Zeeuw and Dennis Rommedahl.
Georginio Wijnaldum earned a deserved point for the home side midway through the second half after a defensive blunder from Urby Emanuelson.
MIAMI-- Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans threw two touchdown passes and was named MVP after leading the AFC to a 41-34 victory over the NFC in the annual Pro Bowl game on Sunday.
More than 70,000 turned out at Dolphin Stadium but many drifted away during the second half of what was a light-contact, high-scoring friendly encounter between the league's two conferences featuring 987 total net yards gained.
The game, usually played in Hawaii the week after the Super Bowl, was switched to South Florida, the week before the NFL's biggest event.
The score was level 14-14 at the break, with Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers throwing two touchdowns for the NFC.
Diluted by the absence of many big-name players, the game nonetheles came alive in the third quarter when the NFC grabbed the lead.
Donovan McNabb, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, passed to his team mate, wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who weaved past opponents to run home a 58-yard touchdown.
That prompted two touchdowns and a field goal from the AFC but their victory was not secured until the fourth quarter when Tennessee's Chris Johnson ran home from two yards.
Next Sunday, the NFC's New Orleans Saints take on the Indianapolis Colts of the AFC in the Super Bowl.
