Andy Murray quickly came to terms with his failure to win the US Open against Roger Federer here last night and allowed the tennis world to see the "real" man behind the scowls and verbal histrionics.

Despite understandable feelings of disappointment at having allowed Federer to triumph 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 in less time than it took Serena Willaims to win the women's final against Jelena Jankovic, Murray showed commendable perspective and a sharp wit; two attributes that will be needed if he is to become Britain's first Grand Slam winner since 1936.

When asked what it felt like to be handed a cheque for $1million for being the US Open runner-up and second-placed player in the pre-Open tournaments in North America, the 21-year-old's face cracked into a smile. "That's worth about £10, isn't it?"

Cue laughter. Not something normally associated with post-match interviews involving the new world No4.

Murray continued: "I would never have even thought about a million pounds which is, sorry, a million dollars, so much money for someone my age. Or for anyone, for that matter.

"That's the biggest cheque I've ever had by a long shot. Hopefully, I'll have a few more of them."

It didn't stop there, as Murray dealt with enquires about what he said at the net after shaking Federer's hand at the end of the contest.

"He told me that it was a great tournament for me, and I said that I agreed with everyone that he's had a terrible year; making the semis of Australia, final of the French, the final at Wimbledon playing one of the best matches of all time, winning a doubles gold medal, and obviously winning the US Open.

"I told him he'd had a phenomenal year, regardless of what anyone said."

Murray has turned 2008 into a landmark season, during which he has emerged from the pack of top players trailing behind Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and shown the skills to be rated up there with the elite.

Significantly, he has beaten those three players on hard courts this year and, despite coming up considerably short of the required standard last night, Murray is equipped to be a serious contender at every Grand Slam, even on the clay of Roland Garros.

There are aspects of his game that need attention but being physically able to slug it out with Nadal or go five sets with Federer and Djokovic is no longer a concern.

The enormously tough fitness regime he followed in Florida last winter will be replicated and even made harder this December as he strives be a better player.

Of immediate concern are the technical weaknesses that Federer exposed in front of 23,000 fans on centre court and Murray acknowledges what needs to be done.

He said: "I hope this will be the start of big things for me but I'm going to need to put a lot of work in to make it happen.

"Physically for seven matches I was pretty good. I can still get better and that's something that in the past might not necessarily have been the case. It's a nice feeling to know that you can last.

"It comes down to the tennis and I believe there are so many things I can improve on. I know what things were breaking down, what things need to get better, and go to work on them.

"First, I want to go relax for a few days and take my mind off tennis, and then I will analyse my game. The biggest thing for me is that when I am serving above 65 per cent on the first serves, and hitting them 125mph and above consistently, then I'm very, very difficult to break.

"When, against the top players, that doesn't happen then they get chances and are going to take them. So that's the one thing I will point out."

Murray's second serve, harshly dealt with by Federer, is another area of concern, along with his delight in the drop shot.

This tactic can often be a major asset but he was pinned so far back from the baseline by the Swiss maestro's thunderous ground strokes that the drop shot became almost redundant.

The British No1 has to get nearer the baseline and have faith in his innate ability to return the ball with power and precision and a happy balance is certain to be discovered.

Federer had not won a hard court tournament all year until it came to the biggest of the lot and he responded magnificently to prove he is still a great player.

Having lost to Nadal in the French Open and Wimbledon finals, Federer used his vast experience of 17 Slam finals to great effect against Murray.

The win gives Federer yet another entry in the tennis history books as the only man to have won two Slams five times - Wimbledon and the US Open.

He is the sixth player to register five triumphs or more in New York and on this form not even Nadal will be confident when the tennis circus pitches camp again at Flushing Meadows in 12 months' time.

Federer came here with his confidence boosted by a gold medal in the Olympics doubles alongside Stanislas Wawrinka.

He said: "It was so inspiring to win the gold medal and I never thought doubles would do it for me. I used to like doubles, then stopped playing it. Now I love it."