Agencies
Melbourne, January 29
Andy Murray is through to his fourth Australian Open final after fighting back from a set down to beat Tomas Berdych in Melbourne.
The British No 1 recovered from an early set-back and injury scare to win 6-7 (6-8), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 to book his place in Sunday’s final against either top seed Novak Djokovic or defending champion Stan Wawrinka.
Murray looked in trouble early on as Berydch held his serve with ease, while the world No 6 appeared to be limping while mouthing the word “calf” to his box.The Scot recovered to hold serve and leave the first set level at 3-3, before he lost his next two games to leave Berydch serving for the set.
Murray unleashed the first of his trademark celebrations after breaking back and taking the set to a tie-break, Berdych saving a set point on his way to winning the opener 8-6.
That was just the second set Murray had lost in the championship, but he quickly set about ensuring the Czech would lose his first one of the fortnight in return.
Within 30 minutes, the Scot had made three breaks of serve, including a run of 10 straight points, to take the second set 6-0 as momentum switched away from Berdych.
Murray claimed a vital break in the sixth game of the third set, after a double fault from Berydch when 40-0 up was followed up another saved break point and two clean winners.
With a 4-2 lead in the set, Murray consolidated his advantage by holding to love and after Berdych reduced his deficit, the world No 6 held again to take the third set 6-3.
Berdych looked to have no way back into the match but made a real fight of it in the fourth set, forcing two break points on Murray's serve in the sixth game.
A tie-break seemeed the likely outcome, before a double fault from Berydch and a backhand long helped Murray take the ascendency in the 11th game and a break.
Serving for the match, Murray won the 12th game to love, with a 14th ace completing a win in three hours and 26 minutes.
