Wimbledon: Andy Murray in cruise control as he thumps Tomas Berdych

Tomas Berdych on his way to defeat against Andy Murray (Picture: Tim Ireland/PA Wire).

The Centre Court crowd are used to being put through the mill by the world No 2 at this stage of the tournament, but he was simply far too good for the 10th seed and eased to a 6-3 6-3 6-3 victory.

Murray has been the favourite for the title ever since Novak Djokovic’s shock defeat by Sam Querrey in round three and for the first time in 11 grand slam finals he will not have to face either the Serbian or Roger Federer, who lost a five-set thriller to Canada’s Milos Raonic in the first semi-final.

For the second time in three days, Murray walked out to a near-deserted Centre Court as the fans took a breather.

Berdych was one of Murray’s most tricky opponents earlier in his career, but the Czech had had no success since 2013 against Britain’s leading player, losing their previous four encounters.

Murray could not have made a better start, breaking for 2-0 when Berdych double-faulted, but the Czech seized on some short balls from his opponent to hit straight back.

Murray broke again in the eighth game, which left him serving for the set and he clinched it with an ace.

Berdych was looking to reach a grand slam final for the first time since here in 2010.

Murray began to probe again in the fifth game of the second set but some big serving from Berdych saw him fight off two break points.

The Scot then withstood two break points and took his chance in the next game, piling the pressure on Berdych, who dumped an attempted drop shot into the net.

The Czech, who had lost his previous 17 matches against top-two opponents, looked bereft of ideas and Murray nailed a passing shot down the line to make it four games in a row and take the set.

Murray was in cruise control, but the same could have been said on Wednesday, when he led Jo-Wilfried Tsonga by two sets before eventually coming through in five.

The grip Murray had on the match gave the occasion an oddly low-key feel but Berdych could do nothing to generate jitters, missing with his forehand time and again.

Another one gave Murray the first break of the third set to lead 3-1 and, with less than two hours on the clock, he soon found himself serving for victory.

He clinched it with a forehand that Berdych could not get back.