Murray defeats Berdych to move into Australian Open final

Andy Murray is one game away from a third Grand Slam title after beating Tomas Berdych in four sets to move into the Australian Open final.

The Scot fought back from a set down to blow away his Czech rival 6-7 (6/8) 6-0 6-3 7-5 at the Rod Laver Arena on Thursday.

 

Murray will face either world number one Novak Djokovic or defending champion Stan Wawrinka in Sunday's showpiece.

It is the fourth time in six years the 27-year-old has reached the Melbourne final.

Murray has yet to take the title down under, but will hope to finally do so this weekend having looked impressive throughout the tournament.

He did not have it all his own way against Berdych early on in their encounter, however, suffering an injury scare on his way to losing the opening set on a tie-break.

It was just the second set Murray had lost in the championship, but that only served to fire him up and he quickly set about ensuring Berdych would lose his first one of the fortnight in return.

Two breaks of serve in the first four games, aided by a run of 10 straight points, helped Murray charge into a 5-0 lead and there was nothing Berdych could do to stem the tide.

Murray broke for a third time in the set to take it 6-0 and after a first set lasting 77 minutes, it had taken the Scot just 30 minutes to get back on level terms and leave Berdych looking for a plan B.

The first five games of the third set went with serve and it looked certain that the sixth would as well as Berdych moved 40-0 up.

However, back-to-back double faults allowed Murray back into the game and after seeing one break point saved, the world number six produced two clean winners to gain the vital break.

Murray consolidated the break in ideal fashion by holding to love and after Berdych had reduced his deficit, another service hold gave Murray the set 6-3 for a two sets to one lead.

Berdych looked to have no way back into the match but did make a fight of it in the fourth set, forcing two break points on Murray's serve in the sixth game.

Murray saved the first before being given a time violation warning by the umpire, who seemingly did not realise Murray had delayed serving due to the reaction of his fiancee Kim to the previous point being replayed on the big screen.

Murray pointed that out after saving the second break point to level at 3-3 and eventually was able to force break points of his own on the Berdych serve, the Czech serving a crucial double fault to fall 15-40 behind.

That made it six double faults for the match compared to just five aces and when he hit a backhand long on the next point, Murray had the vital break and served out to love with his 14th ace sealing a dramatic 6-7 (6/8) 6-0 6-3 7-5 win in three hours and 26 minutes.