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[boogers]

Andy Murray is through to the semi-finals at Wimbledon for the fourth consecutive year. The Scot overcame his nerves and the tenacious tennis of David Ferrer to run out a 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6 victor.

Many of Murray's performances this year have been characterised by slow starts. Today was no exception as the clearly nervous Scot fell a set and a break down before staging a scintillating fightback.

Ferrer has an unwarranted reputation as a clay court specialist; this is a shallow characterisation of a player who's made the semi-finals of two hard court slams. His performance today was admirable and will do much to address this.

Murray was clearly tight from the outset, happy to keep balls in play and wait for an error from Ferrer. The Spaniard was not in a mood to feed this strategy - for much of the first set Murray found himself meters behind the baseline as Ferrer dictated play as. The Scots forehand was misfiring, with more balls finding the net than the court. Break points in the second game were averted with some fine serving, but Murray was unable to repeat the trick in the fourth games as a loose forehand yielded the break.

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Ferrer was serving for the set at 5-3 but the pressure of the occasion seemed to get to the normally unflappable Spaniard. Wayward groundstrokes helped Murray to break back before the Scot served his way into the tiebreak. Murray's forehand - which had briefly spluttered into life - once again broke down again and Ferrer took control of the breaker.

The second set followed the same pattern as Murray offered up an early break of serve before striking back and forcing the tiebreak. This time the Scot held his nerve and, despite slipping 2-5 down, fought through to level the match.

The Scot flirted with disaster at the beginning of the third set but held as his serve - now operating at something close to it's best - saved the day. A crucial break at 4-4 followed by a flawless love service game sealed the set and a 2-1 lead.

Ferrer refused to fold and continued to exert pressure on the Murray service game. Both players fended off break points in the fourth set and the Spaniard looked down and out at 4-4, 15-40. Some audacious shot making was required to avert the danger and establish a 5-4 lead. Murray was unphased and a series of howitzer serves drew the scores level again.

With the set in the balance the heavens opened and the roof lumbered into action. When play resumed both players enjoyed quick fired service games to force the tiebreak. Murray upped his aggression and this, coupled with his serve, proved the difference. An exchange of mini-breaks, a crashing forehand and one ace later  and the Scot was into the semis. Center court breathed a sigh of relief and Murray gestured to the heavens. Is this finally his year?

Nerves aside, Murray handled a difficult opponent with composure and resiliance. To reach the semi-finals for the fourth time is a tremendous achievement and Murray will fancy his chances against Tsonga, who he beat in the quarter finals two years ago.

[jdonald]

What a match Andy played so well so calm and in control. what a differnce. Now Tsonga he will win. Into the finals of Wimbledon the way he is plkayingg comon we must support him.

[Confluentia]

A very mature performance, standing tall when it mattered most. Ferrer is so tough to beat, you can't allow to let your concentration slip for a minute. So happy he did it in 4 sets as well as I guess a 5th set would have been really gruelling...
Well done Andy! So proud of you!! 

[lashurst]

Can you imagine the media hype of him getting into the final? It will be amazing.

I hope Federer is there because from our side he is more beatable but from the perspective of the general public, they still thinks he's the best player and have no idea who this Djokovic guy is.

Fully agree with you there Mark

You kept your promise too. Andy did win.!

[Emma Jean]

Can you imagine the media hype of him getting into the final? It will be amazing.

I hope Federer is there because from our side he is more beatable but from the perspective of the general public, they still thinks he's the best player and have no idea who this Djokovic guy is.

That's a terrible idea or so it seems. If Andy goes down again, then not only he will allow Federer to win another GS but also he'll be losing to Federer 3 times in a row. Quite ironically though, Andy will face either of them in the final if he makes the final as well and he has a losing record against each of them but perhaps, time to turn around things.

Nole has a kind heart or at least he’ll feel sorry seeing Andy going down yet again in a final, so that might hamper his play (I don’t know but it might just happen). Federer will never be kind even he goes on to win 100 more Slams. Neither will Nadal though so Nole is still our best option. Once Andy gets his first, he can then fancy beating Federer in a final. I am guessing Federer will stick around until then.

[janetx]

I agree Emma Jean. And I would rather watch Andy and Nole.

[Quackers]

I think hes got a better chance against Federer ... especially with his bad back .... mwahahahahaaaaaaaaaa

[Emma Jean]

Mark, you are not getting it and be careful what you wish for. The crowd will be a factor for Nole; on the other hand, Federer will thrive in it. Once he makes the final, he will start all sorts of things to intimidate Andy beforehand and will start playing mind games right away. He will do his best to paralyze Andy mentally way before and he will also use the crowd against Andy. Noel won't pull any such tricks. Don’t get too confident now. Anyway, Andy has yet to make the final so I guess this is all a moot point anyway.