Murray regards self-belief as crucial to hopes

Murray beat Nadal in their last match but recognises the man from Majorca is a worthy favourite ahead of their 11th career meeting.

The British No 1 played one of the best matches of his career in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in January to lead Nadal by two sets and 3-0 before the Spaniard retired with knee problems.

Murray then overcame Marin Cilic to reach his second grand slam final only to again come up short against Roger Federer, as he had in his previous major final at the US Open two years ago following a semi-final victory over Nadal.

Success today would make the 23-year-old the first home player to reach the men's singles final at Wimbledon since Bunny Austin back in 1938.

But he is under no illusion about the size of the task against Nadal, who is on a 12-match winning streak at the All England Club having won the title in 2008 then been unable to defend it last year because of injury.

Murray said: "He will definitely be the favourite for the match with his results here the last few years.

"He obviously didn't get a chance to defend his title last year, but he's played three finals in a row and now he's in the semis here.

"He's obviously a very tough player on any surface but he plays great tennis here. Psychologically I need to believe that I can win the match. That's the most important thing."

After a season dogged by injury problems in 2009, Nadal has firmly re-established himself at the top of the game, going through the clay-court season unbeaten and reclaiming the No 1 ranking from Federer.

The 24-year-old has not looked entirely convincing this fortnight, however, needing five sets to see off both Robin Haase and Philipp Petzschner, while he trailed Robin Soderling 5-0 in the first set of their quarter-final before recovering to win in four.

Murray, who yesterday hit with left-handed British youngster Liam Broady by way of preparation, certainly knows what to expect from Nadal, having played him 10 times, winning three of those meetings.

Their only previous match at Wimbledon came in the quarter-finals two years ago, which Nadal won easily. It was that defeat which persuaded Murray he needed to work much harder on his fitness.

The physical side of the game is now one of the Scot's big strengths but he knows he will need more than just fitness if he is to fulfil his Wimbledon final dream.

"You need to serve well and you need to play great tennis," said Murray. "You don't want to leave the ball in the middle of the court to his forehand, because you'll do a lot of running.

"You've got to serve well, try to keep a good length and play really, really, really well."

The dry court conditions could play their part, with Nadal joking on Wednesday that there was "a lot of clay behind the baseline", but Murray is not worried it will push the odds further in the second seed's favour.

He explained: "I definitely wouldn't describe the courts here as similar to clay. They're more like a hard court because the ball's bouncing pretty high.

"I think it's a pretty fair court for both of us. Hopefully I can play well because when I have played him on hard courts before, I've always felt like I've had chances against him. If I serve well and play like I have been, I've got a chance."

Nadal, for his part, is determined to keep Murray waiting for his first grand slam title.

Murray has won three of his last five matches against the world No 1 and has also dropped only one set on his way to the last four this fortnight.

The Spaniard said: "He is ready to win a grand slam and one day he will. But let's hope it will not be this one."

Despite being two sets and 3-0 adrift in Australia against Murray when forced to retire, Nadal still has positive memories from the occasion.

"I was very happy about my level in those two sets," he said. "I lost both, but I was ready to win both, too. I was a break up in both sets, I think."

He seems certain to attempt to impose his belligerent style on today's occasion.

"I am happy how I'm playing, so I am going to try to play my own game," Nadal said. "My game is trying to play aggressively. The important thing is to serve well. I'm sure that the styles of Murray and Soderling are completely different. But at the same time I have to still be playing at my best level if I want to have chances to win.

"So we will see what happens. I don't want to change a lot of things. I'm happy with how I'm doing."