Majestic Murray positions himself for one final push

Murray faced a formidable opponent yesterday in relentless Spaniard David Ferrer, and the seventh seed looked to be heading for victory at a set and a break up.

But Murray found inspiration when he needed it most to turn the contest around and triumph 6-7 (7/5) 7-6 (8/6) 6-4 7-6 (7/4) in eight minutes short of four hours, setting up a last-four clash with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Not since Bunny Austin in 1938 has Britain had a men’s singles finalist at the All England Club, while it was two years before that when Fred Perry became the last home player to win it.

Murray said: “There’s obviously pressure there. I think if you think too much about it, and you read the newspapers and you watch the stuff on TV that’s said about you, I think it would become far too much.

“But if you shield yourself from it all and just get into your own little bubble, only listen to the people that are around you, then it’s something you can deal with.”

Producing a home Wimbledon finalist has become a British obsession, with Tim Henman getting to the semi-finals four times but never going further.

Murray has now equalled that tally, but hopes are even higher this year because the man on the other side of the net tomorrow will not be two-time champion Rafael Nadal, who has beaten the Scot the last two years.

Murray’s other major opportunity came three years ago, when he was 22 and the favourite to beat Andy Roddick, only to lose to the American in four sets.

There are parallels, with Tsonga a player Murray has a good record against having beaten him five times out of six, and the Frenchman certainly possesses the weapons to upset the odds.

Murray was reluctant to describe this as his best chance, saying: “I think when I played Roddick in the semis was also a good chance.

“I had a good record against him before the match.

“He did play unbelievable in the semis, and especially in the final that year.

“I’m in a good position, that’s for sure. Whether it’s the best chance or not, I’m not sure. But I’ve been in this position a few times now and want to push on.”

Ferrer went into the match enjoying the season of his life, winning a career-high four titles and beating Murray to reach the last four at the French Open.

He carried that form onto grass, and set another career high by making it through to the last eight at Wimbledon.

The 30-year-old began brilliantly yesterday too, winning the first five points and then forcing Murray to save two break points.

The Scot, watched by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, had two chances to break in the next game but Ferrer held firm, and it was the underdog who drew first blood to move 3-1 ahead.

Ferrer kept his nose in front until he served for the set at 5-3. Murray stepped up a gear on his return and saved one set point before breaking back courtesy of a great backhand pass.

Into the tie-break they went and, from 2-0 behind, Ferrer won the next four points to take control.

Murray retrieved the mini-break but then netted a forehand to go set point down at 6-5, and this time the Spaniard took his chance.

Murray missed a chance to break early in the second set but did well to save three break points in the seventh game. It felt like a big moment but Ferrer redoubled his efforts in the next Murray service game and this time he did break through. That left the 30-year-old serving for the set but for the first time he wobbled, a series of errors allowing Murray to level at 5-5.

A second tie-break followed and again it was Ferrer who took control, winning the first three points and then opening up a 5-2 lead.

Murray fought back to draw level though, and then saved the first set point, this time his sometimes suspect forehand holding firm.

A big serve gave the fourth seed a set point and he took it when Ferrer finally buckled after another brutal rally.

Ferrer had the first chance of the third set when he forced two break points in the fourth game, but Murray managed to stave off the threat.

Another tie-break looked on the cards, but a super forehand return from Murray earned him his first break point of the set in the ninth game and a chance to serve for it at 5-4, which he took, clinching the set with an ace.

The fourth set took on a similar pattern, with Murray saving break points in the eighth game – making it 10 saved from 12 faced – before Ferrer did the same.

There was a brief rain delay shortly before their third tie-break, and this time Murray seized his moment, setting up match point with a forehand down the line and then sealing one of his best grand slam victories with his 18th ace after eight minutes short of four hours.