* Federer claims 16th grand slam title

* British wait for men’s grand slam title goes on

MELBOURNE, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Roger Federer claimed his 16th grand slam title when he beat Britain’s Andy Murray 6-3 6-4 7-6 in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday.

Murray had been attempting to become the first British man to win a grand slam since Fred Perry captured the 1936 U.S. Open.

The world number one, however, was ruthlessly efficient in dismantling the Scot’s game, racing into a two-set lead after he broke serve twice in the opener and once in the second.

Murray held a 5-2 lead in the third and with the crowd finding their voice for the 22-year-old, he seemed to be on the verge of mounting a fightback.

Federer though upped his game to level at 5-5 and then forced a tiebreak which he eventually sealed 13-11 when Murray’s backhand hit the net.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury, editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)