(CNN) -- Roger Federer swept aside Britain's Andy Murray in straight sets to win the Australian Open final and claim the 16th grand slam of his record breaking career on Sunday.

World number one Federer gave fifth seed Murray few opportunities to create an upset on the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne and completed a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (13-11)victory in two hours 41 minutes.

"I have played some of the best tennis of my last in the last two weeks," he told a capacity crowd. "This is very special because it's my first grand slam as a father."

Federer's wife Mirka, who was a constant presence at courtside during the championship, gave birth to their twin girls last summer.

Murray went into the match with high hopes of being the first Briton since Fred Perry in 1936 to win a grand slam tournament and with a 6-4 lead in career meetings with the Swiss maestro.

But Federer, who lost out to Rafael Nadal in an emotional finale last year, was not going to make the same mistake this time and tellingly had beaten Murray in their only other grand slam final meeting at the 2008 U.S. Open.

Federer gained an early break in the opening set but his 22-year-old opponent hit back to tie it at 2-2 and then had chances to move ahead for the first time.

Federer saved two break points to go 3-2 behind and the momentum was now crucially in his favor.

Murray held service for 3-3 but Federer broke him at 4-3 in a run of three straight games which saw him serve out confidently for the opening set in 43 minutes.

The writing was on the wall for the underdog as Federer continued to dominate at the start of the second set and the Swiss ace broke again for an early advantage.

Murray could not force a single break point against the top seed's service and Federer sealed the second set in 46 minutes with a sweeping forehand.

But Murrray showed signs of a revival in the third set as errors crept into Federer's game and he capitalized to break for 4-2, converting his second chance with a passing shot.

However, the Scot was broken back as he served for the set at 5-4 and the match went into a concluding tiebreak, which proved a classic.

Murray had five set points before Federer claimed his fourth Australian Open title on his third championship point as he forced his opponent to net a backhand return.

Murray paid a tribute of his own to Federer, fighting back the tears as he addressed the crowd.

"I can cry like Roger, it's just a shame I can't play like him," he said to huge cheers.

Federer sportingly tried to console Murray. "Andy you're too good a player not win a grand slam, so don't worry about it," he said.