08/09/2008 9:22 AM
Andy Murray has stunned world number one Rafael Nadal in four sets on Monday morning to reach the US Open final.
The British star won 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-4 to set up a meeting with defending champion Roger Federer on Tuesday.
Murray resumed his rain-interrupted match with Nadal two sets to the good but a break down in the third.
And when play restarted Nadal raised his level as both players produced some sensational tennis.
In particular, there were some amazing forehand exchanges from the baseline as Murray looked to finish off the top seed.
Serve dominated to 5-4 at which point Murray forced the first break point of the day only for Nadal to save it with an ace. It was not the last time the Spaniard would produce his best stuff at the key moments.
Nadal served to take the match into a fourth set and there was a dramatic start when the duo played out an epic second game.
Murray forced seven break points - a superb forehand from Nadal and another ace the pick of the Spaniard's defence - but he couldn't make the breakthrough.
It seemed Murray had missed his chance and he duly lost his own delivery to love in the very next game.
A final set beckoned but Murray hit back in the sixth game to level at 3-3.
Murray pushed a backhand long on break point in the next game as he continued his assault before Nadal cracked for the final time.
Serving to stay in the match at 4-5, Nadal saw the net cord work against him twice as Murray got to 30-all.
Nadal then missed a game point to take the score on to deuce.
Murray brought up match point after some more sensational forehands from the back court and when Nadal threw in a poor drop shot, Murray produced the pass which took him into his first Grand Slam final.
Murray is the first Briton since Greg Rusedski - in New York in 1997 - to reach a Grand Slam singles final.
He will now face Federer, a player he has beaten in two of their three meetings to date, in the final.
Men's Singles, US Open Semi Final
6-Andy Murray (GBR) def. 1-Rafael Nadal (Spain) 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-4