5 Jul 2013

Andy Murray into Wimbledon final for second year

Andy Murray is through to his second consecutive Wimbledon final where he will face Novak Djokovic on Sunday after beating Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz in four sets, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

Andy Murray plays Poland's Jerzy Janowicz in the Wimbledon semi-finals. (Getty)

Another Wimbledon final awaits the British number one after a day of high drama and stunning tennis at the championships.

Andy Murray came through in four sets against new kid on the block Jerzy Janowicz who was competing in his first grand slam semi-finals.

The power-playing 22-year-old from Poland showed no sign of nerves on Centre Court as he took the first set on a tie-break.

Murray levelled the match by winning the second but got himself into trouble again going a break down in the third. He broke back to level the set at four-all during a golden phase of flawless serving and blistering groundstroke accuracy.

He pumped his fists and urged the crowd to cheer even louder as he powered through to take the third set 6-4.

I’m delighted with that. A very tough match today. The third set was huge – after that the momentum was with me. Andy Murray

But it, quite literally, became a match of two halves when officials decided to close the retractable Centre Court roof just after 8.45pm in anticipation of fading light.

“It’s not even dark! I don’t understand these rules!” Murray audibly complained, raging at a decision he claimed was down to repeated requests from his opponent.

The players went off for just under half an hour, with Murray fans fearing the pause would halt Murray’s winning streak.

But the speeding Murray train could not be derailed and the second seed came out under the roof and picked up where he left off.

He broke early and never looked like letting the advantage slip, securing his place in a second consecutive Wimbledon final.

After the match Murray said: “I’m delighted with that. A very tough match today. He’s a very unpredictable player.

“The third set was huge – after that the momentum was with me.”

To go one better than last year, when Murray lost in the final to Roger Federer, the Briton must overcome world number one and top seed Novak Djokovic on Sunday afternoon.

The Serb outgunned Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in the first semi final – a five-set encounter which saw both men playing their best tennis of the tournament.

Afterwards Djokovic said it had been “one of the most exciting matches” in which he’s played in one of the “most exciting Wimbledons” ever.