Andy Murray will play Novak Djokovic for the fourth time in an Australian Open final after he came from behind to win a five-set epic against Canada’s Milos Raonic.
Murray’s pursuit of a third grand slam title looked doomed when he twice trailed by a set but the Scot proved his resilience again on Rod Laver Arena to win 4-6 7-5 6-7 (4/7) 6-4 6-2.
It means Murray goes through to face Djokovic in Sunday’s showpiece, when he will have to record only his second win in 12 meetings against the Serb to clinch a first Melbourne crown.
How much the semi-final, lasting four hours and three minutes, will affect Murray remains to be seen but it is a problem he will be glad to have after Raonic gave him an almighty scare.
The world number 14 shot 23 aces during the match and 72 winners but a combination of a niggling leg injury and Murray’s iron will ensured it was the Scot who finally came through.
“He has one of the best serves in tennis,” Murray said.”It’s frustrating when you don’t have much say in the points but I started to get a better read on his serve as the match went on. I made a few more returns and that was the key.”
On his opponent’s injury, Murray added: “He definitely slowed down in the fifth set for sure which was unfortunate for him.”