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Andy Murray beats Marin Cilic 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2; Australian Open semi finals, Thursday January 28 2010
12.15: That'll do for now everybody, thank you for tuning in from all over the world. Special hello to the especially keen follower in Qatar, hope to see you back on Sunday at 8am for the final. If you've stumbled upon this afterwards, head on over to our tennis page to get all the reaction from the match.
Murray expects Federer to win through, but still fancies his own chances: "I would expect Roger to come through and he's so good in slam finals but if I go out there and play my best I think I've got a chance of winning and it's really exciting."
12.00: That victory means that Murray is the first Briton in the Australian Open since John Lloyd got there in 1977. Lloyd lost over five sets in the final to the American Vitas Gerulaitis.
As all tennis fans probably know by now because it has been drummed into us tournament after tournament after tournament, Fred Perry, he of the clothing range for modern kids, was the last British winner of a Grand Slam tournament way way back in 1936. 74 years ago that was, it's almost like that stat about Hibs having not won the Scottish Cup for 5,000 years. Something close to that figure anyway.
11.56: So Murray will take on either Federer or Tsonga in the final on Sunday morning. He now faces two days off before the final, while the winner of the other game will get just one day off, with that semi-final taking place on Friday morning.
Federer was the man of course who defeated Murray in his only other Grand Slam final to date at the US Open in 2008. If they meet again, can Andy use that as motivation for revenge?
Murray on how he will have to play in the final against either Roger Federer or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: "It'll be important to play a solid match. Both of them can go through phases when they play incredible tennis. I'm going to need to not leave the ball short because they can both dictate play."
Murray on Cilic: "He showed incredible guts. He played three five set matches coming into this, and he made it so tough for me. He was clearly tired in the end but we're going to have some more great matches in the future."
Andy Murray wins through to the final of the Australian Open
Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2 Cilic
Andy Murray digs out a sensational shot at the perfect moment that goes round the outside of the net post to make it 30-15. Cilic returned his serve with his last big hitter but Murray goes the extra mile and smashes it back, much to the delight of the crowd and even to his own surprise.
A cute drop shot later and it's match point. Murray serves successfully first time and Cilic's return is long. That's it! Andy Murray wins through to the Australian Open final.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 5-2 Cilic
Cilic digs out an ace in the midst of an error-ridden game by Murray and he isn't going down without a fight. He holds his serve as Murray returns the second serve between the right tramlines. After a short break for drinks, Murray will return to serve for a place in his first Australian Open final, his second Grand Slam final of his career.
Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 5-1 Cilic*
Murray holds his serve with one point dropped and Cilic doesn't even bother charging after the final game winning drop shot. He looks finished when it comes to playing the same style of game and he will have to dig out some big hitters to have any chance of salvaging this. Cilic is serving to stay in the match.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 4-1 Cilic
Andy Murray has other ideas and has Cilic racing all over the court. Needless to say, Cilic is trying to slow this down considerably and still has the ability and shot selection to still cause Murray problems. An unforced error at the net then opens things up for Cilic but Murray responds with a slice of fortune as his forehand clips the net and skids over the top of Cilic's racket to force deuce. Cilic surrenders his first advantage and a fantastic forehand from Murray makes it a double break. He's just two games away from the final now, tremendous stuff.
Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 3-1 Cilic*
Murray holds his serve for love yet again in record time to lead 3-1. Cilic's play is getting sloppier and sloppier and is trying to make his game shorter so that his cross-court exertions are reigned in.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 2-1 Cilic
With Cilic about to hold his serve, a smart little volley rally between the pair sees Murray pick the right shot and on the next, Cilic slices into the net for deuce. There are some signs of tiredness creeping into his game now and he has toned down on the big hitters, making some further errors along the way. One of those hands break point to Murray and he double faults, meaning Murray holds the advantage once again.
Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 1-1 Cilic*
First double fault from Murray after two and a half hours as he looked to serve for love. His next point is much better, with some huge forehands that a scurrying Cilic eventually had no chance with and the Scot holds his serve.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 0-1 Cilic
Cilic gets us underway again for the fourth set of the match. Victory for Murray in this one would put him through to the final, but Cilic could take his fourth match of the tournament to the fifth set. The early omens are promising for the Croat, as he holds his serve.
Murray 3-6 6-4 6-4 Cilic
Cilic loses the battle of the backhand to hand Murray his third set point and he claims it brilliantly with a forehand down the right tramline. After that shaky start and loss in the first set, he is looking much improved. He hasn't reached the heights of the Nadal game quite yet and Cilic will not go down without a fight. Remember, Cilic has played three five set matches already in this tournament. He's got form, but has he got the fitness?
*Murray 3-6 6-4 5-4 Cilic
A smart drop shot following a fizzing two handed backhand makes it advantage Murray midway through the game and he follows that up with a perfect return first time over the net after a lunging backhand by Cilic from the baseline. That makes it set point to Murray but he blows it with an ill-advised lob that didn't have the height or distance on it.
From that promising position for Murray, Cilic manages to hold and Murray will now have to hold his own serve to claim the third set to take a 2-1 lead.
Murray 3-6 6-4 5-3 Cilic*
A challenge from Cilic to stop Murray holding his serve is marginally dismissed, leaving those in the crowd gasping at how close a call it was. Cilic needs to hold his serve now or Murray will take the second set.
Plenty of unforced errors in this match as I mentioned earlier on. Three double faults by Cilic, contributing to 37 unforced errors by the Croatian. Murray has made 22.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 4-3 Cilic
A perfectly placed groundstroke from Murray to go two points ahead but he missed a golden opportunity to hold three break points as he sends back a woefully shallow lob that clears the baseline. A poor forehand swings it back in Murray's favour though and a slice into the net means Murray has broken Cilic again. What was I saying about neither looking like dropping their serve?
Murray 3-6 6-4 3-3 Cilic*
A routine win for Murray again and it's neither player is showing signs of losing another break of serve at this moment in time. New balls.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 2-3 Cilic
Cilic is back in it now and has recovered well from that early break. He's finding his range once again and Andy Murray hasn't got the returns to force any rallying of note. Has Murray lost his momentum a little again? We're just over the two hour mark now as well and predictions that Cilic would tire early on haven't came true... yet.
Murray 3-6 6-4 2-2 Cilic*
Not the best start for Murray and Cilic holds two break points after some poor shot selection from the Scot. He recovers to take it to deuce but two huge shots from Cilic means the Croatian has broken back immediately.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 2-1 Cilic
Break point for Andy Murray after an error-strewn showing from Cilic. The Scot took an early two point lead for Murray as Cilic sliced two returns into the net. After a brief comeback, yet another lengthy groundstroke causes Cilic difficulty and he smacks his return into the net again.
Murray 3-6 6-4 1-1 Cilic*
Murray holds his serve without much trouble, again to love. Andy's groundstrokes are finding real distance and Cilic doesn't have the answers to them right now.
*Murray 3-6 6-4 0-1 Cilic
Cilic to serve at the opening of the third set and Murray's unhappy from the off as his opponent successfully challenges a wrong out call. Looks like the same shirt for Murray too, I know you would have been wondering. Predictably, Cilic secures his first hold of the third set as Murray struggles to return his powerful returns.
Murray 3-6 6-4 Cilic
Immaculate drop shot from Murray to hold three set points. After yet another heavy return from Cilic, he twisted well to drop the ball just over the net, to which his opponent didn't bother trying to reach. On his second attempt, Murray wins the set to level the match up. One set apiece now.
Andy Murray had a very nervy start to the game but he is growing in confidence. Can he maintain his improved levels of performance? Just in case, he's changing his shirt again. What's his third choice outfit, I wonder?
*Murray 3-6 5-4 Cilic
Shades of Todd Carty on Dancing on Ice (I had to ask about that one, honest) as Murray disappears down the tunnel on the third point as he helplessly chased down Cilic's returns all over the court. He came back out to a big reception from the crowd in the Rod Laver, bigger than the one he got the first time he came out. Back to the tennis though, Cilic holds his serve.
Murray 3-6 5-3 Cilic*
Murray holds his serve without dropping a point, serving up one ace along the way. A routine hold for the Scot and now Cilic is serving to stay in the set.
*Murray 3-6 4-3 Cilic
A perfect return to Cilic's first serve and then a thumping forehand groundstroke across the court gave Murray the advantage but Cilic found his game again with a precise backhand to level the scores. Another big hitter from Cilic forces deuce and Murray has three break points which his opponent manages to claw back.
A misplaced lob then gave Cilic the advantage on deuce number five, which he followed up with a winner to hold his serve after a lengthy game.
Murray 3-6 4-2 Cilic*
Another perfect point from Murray at 30-0 down the right tramline and he is starting to find the big shots. Cilic makes the error to hand it to the Scot, who holds his serve for love. Have those nerves evaporated?
*Murray 3-6 3-2 Cilic
A frustrated Murray is holding a dialogue with his coach between points after being tactically outwitted on two points by Cilic. But he responds fantastically with a great break point on the last rally. Drawn into the net, Cilic's lob looked to have done enough but Murray responded with a fantastic turn and shot down the left tramline. We'll be seeing that shot again for a while. He's turned some of that frustration into some improved play and that's more encouraging tennis.
Murray 3-6 2-2 Cilic*
Second feel of the back for Murray which is a concern but he is still finding the power to trouble Cilic, especially on the first serve. He holds his service game again as mum Judy watches on, offering some words of encouragement.
*Murray 3-6 1-2 Cilic
Cilic successfully defends his serve with a routine game. He is being allowed to dictate the play by Murray and the pace of the game is playing right into the Croatian's hands. He is a brute on his forehand and Murray just doesn't have the answers right now.
Murray 3-6 1-1 Cilic*
Murray gets the game underway with an unsuccessful Hawkeye challenge on a shot that was almost halfway between the right trams. After a weak drop shot to go 30-0 down, he responds by attacking the net and dropping a much better shot into an open court. That spurs him on and his next two points see him finally show some dominance from the baseline but he finds the net with an unconvincing backhand for deuce. He holds his advantage first time and the first "come on" screams are heard. Better play from Murray.
*Murray 3-6 0-1 Cilic
Cilic gets us underway in the second set and Murray has changed his blue shirt for a white one for the second game running. It doesn't help though and he drops the first game without a single point with a raft of errors. He doesn't look too happy.
FIRST SET: Murray 3-6 Cilic
Murray is broken again, this time for love, and Cilic takes the opening set 6-3 after just 51 minutes. Cilic is coming on to his game and Murray just didn't have the answers in the first set. Time to compose himself and come out fighting in the second. Andy had his chances early doors when Cilic was looking ropey and he couldn't capitalise. There's plenty of tennis still to play though.
*Murray 3-5 Cilic
Two serve returns into the net by Murray, one down the left alley and then an ace for Cilic means the Scot needs to serve to stay in the set. He needs to start producing some of that Tuesday morning magic here, he hasn't quite got it together yet.
Murray 3-4 Cilic*
Much better play from Murray but he is being outmuscled by Cilic in the baseline rallies. He holds his serve dropping just one point though, with an ace to close out the game. He now needs to take a break point opportunity if one comes his way in the next serve. He's had five so far and taken none.
*Murray 2-4 Cilic
For the second time in the match, Cilic clips the net and sees his shot delicately plop into the court. He looks apologetic as it saves him from Murray's third break point opportunity and he holds his serve with an aggressive forehand from the baseline.
Plenty errors from both again, there's not many points being won so far by good play. Murray is getting pulled all over the court by Cilic at the moment too, but it is being balanced out by some careless forehands from the big Croatian. Apart from that last one mind.
Murray 2-3 Cilic*
Nervous play again from the Scot and he's broken by Cilic. Three break points down, he recovers brilliantly to force a deuce and two perfect shots give him the advantage twice, but Cilic responds impressively to peg him back to hold another break point. Murray then hands it to him on a plate with a lengthy groundstroke.
*Murray 2-2 Cilic
Murray's jammed to the baseline and Cilic is opening him up with some fierce forehand shots into the corners. It's allowing him to grow in confidence and he successfully holds his serve.
Murray 2-1 Cilic*
Andy holds his serve but, on the first point he dropped, he twisted awkwardly when he returned with a forehand and held his back in brief discomfort. Hopefully just a tweak.
*Murray 1-1 Cilic
Two break points and Cilic is looking cagey out there. He was too keen to get into the net, which Murray punished him for with an unstoppable return backhand into the empty space. Great reply by the Croatian though as he responds brilliantly to an awkward clip off the net to lob an advancing Murray and he takes the advantage in the deuce, before holding his serve as Murray's groundstroke goes long.
Murray 1-0 Cilic*
First point goes to Murray and the crowd inside the Rod Laver Arena would have lifted the roof off if there was one. Cilic responds with the next point and there is a polite ripple of applause. After some encouraging play, Murray takes the first game with only one point dropped. He looked in command of that first game but there is a lot of tennis still to play.
08.40: Here we go then, Murray to serve up first. His first serve is into the net. Remember on the old scoring, the asterisk next to the player's name denotes who is serving next.
08.38: Stat attack: Fatigue could play a part in the semi-final and lest we forget Andy Murray’s tired performance at the US Open final in 2008 after his five set heroics in the semi-finals. For that reason, it’s worth pointing out that Murray has been out on court far less and has played fewer games than Cilic in the 2010 Australian Open.
Courtesy of his five set epics on three occasions, Cilic has been out on court for 1088 minutes so far this tournament and has played 224 games. Could tiredness play a factor? Murray on the other hand has played a meagre 601 minutes and has played his way to this stage having played only 132 games of tennis. Clinical.
08.35: For all you stats fans, please allow me to indulge you in a few before we get underway. First up, Murray would be the first Briton since John Lloyd in 1977 to reach the Aussie Open final.
Both players are out on court now and are hitting their practice shots. Not long now until we get underway. Just scanning the head-to-head record again, these two have served up four tiebreaks and there's never been much distance between them.
08.32: Andy's looking nice and relaxed, much like he did before he went out on court against Nadal. If he's got any pre-match nerves ahead of his third Grand Slam semi-final, he isn't showing them.
08.30: Morning all, are you sitting comfortably? Andy Murray has made it to his first ever Australian Open semi-final and he is up against Marin Cilic, the king of the five set matches. It could be a long one, but the thought of Murray making it to his second Grand Slam final of his career makes it seem worthwhile.
Murray overcame Rafael Nadal in the quarter finals on Tuesday morning and was in fantastic form, before the world number two succumbed to injury midway through the third set with the Scot on his way to a straight sets victory. Stood up against his previous form, Murray really looked like he had gone away over the winter and worked on his game. If he can play with the same intensity today against Cilic, he's got every chance.
Cilic hasn't looked too shabby himself though and has overcome the likes of Bernard Tomic, Juan Martin Del Potro and Andy Roddick on his way to this stage. For the record, Murray has seen off Kevin Anderson, Marc Gicquel, Florent Serra, John Isner and Rafael Nadal so far.
Our boy leads the way on the head-to-head record, holding a 3-1 advantage over Cilic. The Croatian's sole victory over the Scot came in the US Open fourth round in 2009, a defeat that is no doubt still a sore point for Murray.
