After a shaky start, Scotland's Andy Murray booked his place in Sunday's Men's Singles final at the Australian Open when seeing off his Croation opponent Marin Cilic, 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2.
And so Andy Murray survives a shaky openening to book a place in the decider. Pundits will argue that the Scot was not at his best, but as in most sports, semi-finals are oftern ugly and are there to be won.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2 Cilic
Scotland's Andy Murray serving for a place in the Australian Open final. At 15-15, Murray stretches as far as Sydney to deliver a killer point as he closes in on victory. He now has two match points. Serves, but Cilic's return was long. GAME, SET AND MATCH to Murray.
Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 5-2 Cilic*Cilic's first serve seems to have gone to pieces, but as I say that he delivers an ACE. Bad timing from me yet again. Cilic holds his nerve to take the game.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 5-1 Cilic
Andy Murray just has to close out the deal against an opponent who's obviously tiring, but is not quite yet on the floor. However, the quest looks to be a forlorn one, as Murray take this game.
Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 4-1 Cilic*
Cilic is feeling the pace and Murray is making him so hard for his points, though the Croatian is not buckling yet. Has game point here. That's gone now after Murray gets some fortune, courtesy of the net. Avantage with Cilic. Back to Deuce. Avantage with Murray. He achieves the double break and is now two games away from a place in Sunday's final
*Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 3-1 Cilic
The British No 1 from Scotland showed great athleticism to claim a point he should never have won and he takes this fourth game in set four to love.
Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 2-1 Cilic*
Cilic needs a big service game here and he's responding in kind, forcing Murray into errors. As I write, the Croats is starting to crumble of sorts and now there is a break point against him. He double faults and Murray wins a gift of a game.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 1-1 Cilic
Murray will not want to let Cilic get a second wind and he takes this game despite making a double fault - his first of the match. We won't fault him for that after two-and-a-half-hours!
Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 0-1 Cilic*
Cilic in control in the opening game of the fourth set and he wins it with serve and forehand working to good effect.
Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 Cilic*
The view back in the BBC studio in London is that it's not Murray at his very best - but enough that will see him negotiate this hurdle.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 Cilic
Murray tucks away first point in pursuit of the third set. Takes second after a long rally. Tried the spectacular to make it 40-0, but it didn't come off. Wins the next for two set points. Does not both of them and the set is his. Scotland's finest is closing in on a final place.
Murray 3-6 6-4 5-4 Cilic*
The Scot is starting to boss affairs now and cleverly disguised drops shot just sails over the net. He has another break point, this to win the set. He fails to take it however. 30-40. Deuce. Avantage Cilic (Murray's second service return no doubt blew chalk of the line). Cillic keeps his nerve to take game.
Murray* 3-6 6-4 5-3 Cilic
Murray's body language, though not his smile, now exudes a more positive disposition. He's 40-15 up here and Cilic looks somewhat tired. Maybe, Henman was right about the fatigue factor. Cilic consults Hawkeye on a crucial point, but it was ruled out and Murray takes the game.
Murray 3-6 6-4 4-3 Cilic*
Crucial seventh game of the set and Murray hits a fabulous winner to lead 0-30. Had to chance to break but his radar was a way off with an attempted lob. A forehand from Cilic is weak and Murray has break point. He takes the initiative after a superb return of serve.
Murray* 3-6 6-4 3-3 Cilic
Murray holds his serve with not much fuss.
Murray* 3-6 6-4 2-3 Cilic
Both players seem to have gone off the boil a bit. Come on lads, some fireworks please!
Murray 3-6 6-4 2-3 Cilic*
Can Cilic push on again? Well, he's struggling a bit on his service game here. However, Murray does not make him pay. 30-30 as we speak. Game point to Cilic and he subsequently holds serve following this gritty exchange.
Murray* 3-6 6-4 2-2 Cilic
The Croatian needs to steady the ship. Murray's service game here is sloppy and it's 15-40. However, he hauls himself back with big first serves. Yet, Cilic is more than matching them and has break point again. Seconds later and the Croat hits a superb winner and has broken back.
Murray 3-6 6-4 2-1 Cilic*
Murray has a break has errors are creeping in to Cilic's baseline game. Murray breaks him after Cilic's worst service game of the match.
Murray* 3-6 6-4 1-1 Cilic
Murray levels it up to love. His serve has not been tested buy Cilic in the last seven or eight games.
Murray 3-6 6-4 0-1 Cilic*
Tim Henman in London's thinks that Cilic is somehat fatigued and that Murray is now well placed for victory. Well, the real talking will be done in Melbourne. Third set underway with Cilic serving and he's 40-15 up in the opening game after Murray misjudged possible winners. The Croat closes out the game.
Murray* 3-6 6-4 Cilic
Murray has it all his own way so far. He's one point from the set after a delightful drop shot. A slice effort fails to pass the net and Cilis has a point back, but Andy takes the set has Cilic chases shaows on the next point.
Murray 3-6 5-4* Cilic
Cilic in trouble early on here on his first serve. However, he gets it together and sees it out 40-15. Murray, however, can serve out to level the match in the next game.
Murray* 3-6 5-3 Cilic Murray starts next game well and is comfortable on his serve and has game point in no time. He closes it out to love.
Murray 3-6 4-3* Cilic
Murray is now reading the Cilic serve a lot better. It's 30-30 and Murray has had chances, but he has a break now. Murray on a roll? He moves on to his third break point. However, Cilic first serve has delivered consecutive Aces. It's gripping suff. Murray chance to win game - but did not know whether to smash or pass. The ball wrestled in the net. Long game this one. The singlets are getting sweatier. Cilic''s second serve is closed down well by Murray, but the Briton, sorry Scot, still can't get to grips with the first. It's now avantage Cilic and he finishes out the deal having survived four break points.
Murray* 3-6 4-2 Cilic
The Murray fans have found their voice. A brilliant winner down the line has him 40-0. The fist is clenched. Come on Andy give us a smile. Things are starting to go his way.
Murray 3-6 3-2 Cilic*
Can Murray light the fuse and attack Cilic's serve here? He's doing okay. It's 30-30. Murray hits a fabulous return on a second serve and he has break point. Brilliant exchange of shorts sees Murray scamper back with one down the line to break.
Murray* 3-6 2-2 Cilic
The BBC team feel Murray isn't reading Cilic's serve well enough. Let's see how the Scot does on his own. He's 0-15 down already. However, he gets the serve going and has game point and wins it after an intriguing rally.
Murray 3-6 1-2 Cilic*
Cilic takes the first point in the third game without having to move as much as Murray. A bit worrying for the Scot I would say. He's 30-0 up as we speak. Cilic moves to game point as he shows his prowess from the net. He wraps it up with little fuss after a fine passing shot.
Murray* 3-6 1-1 Cilic
Murray is struggling on his serve. Cilic 30-15 ahead. On the next point, Muuray, at last, dictates play from the back of the court. A fine passing shot gives him game point. However, Cilic again wins the baseline duel. Back to Deuce. Cilic had a chance to break again but netted. Murray takes the game and lets out a few grunts.
Murray 3-6 0-1 Cilic *
Cilic continues his first set dominance and wins the opening game to love.
Back in London, Sue Barker and Tim Henman are of the view that if Murray can regain his composure, he will triumph. Second set about to start.
Murray* 3-6 Cilic
As of now, cilic is calling the tune and Murray has to work for his points and he's 0-30 down here. Three set points for Cilic and Andy hits a wayward one. Andy again has to scramble and Cilic seals the first set 6-3.
Murray 3-5 Cilic*
The BBC commentators feel that this match will be a marathon not a sprint. A situation, they feel, will favour Murray. Cilic in command in game eight. He's on game point. Cilic's first ace is confirmed by Hawkeye.
Murray* 3-4 Cilic
Andy's in a hurry and is 40-15 up inthe next game. He wins the game with an ace. Little trouble there for the man who many feel will win a Slam this year. Will it be in Melbourne on Sunday next?
Murray 2-4 Cilic*
Cilic is playing in a very aggressive style. Can he keep it up? He's 30-0 up in game six. However, Murray storms back by upping the pace and now has break point - Scottish resilience to the fore, but Cilic his playing the break points well. Deuce. Avantage Murray as Cilic hits a wild one. I'll do better myself! Only joking. Cilic angled effort gets slowed down by hitting the net. Murray can't react. Deuce again. Cilic make Andy run and run and run in the next service and follows up with a brilliant passing shot to lead 4-2.
Murray *2-3 Cilic
It's a sticky night in Melbourne and Murray is in a liitle bit of bother on his serve. He's 0-40 down and the Croat has a break. The Scots fight and a brilliant lob by Murray over his 6'6 opponent gives him game point. However, Cilic with a brilliant passing shot and he gives Murray the runaround in the next service game for break point. Murray resaponds by slamming home his first ace. Back come Cilic with a superb overhand volloy and the Scot faces his fifth break point and then Murray hits a long one and it's a break for Cilic.
Murray 2-2* Cilic
It's a sell-out crowd in the Rod Laver Arena as Cilic serves in game three. Cilic's first serve is a bit wobbly in this game, but he holds form. He seems to be handling Murray's baseline game well.
Murray *2-1 Cilic
Good morning/afternoon/evening wherever you are. The action is underway in Melbourne and Andy Murray is 2-1 up in the first set. Both players have held their serve without too much bother and have settled quickly into the match.
