Murray grinds down Raonic to reach Australian Open final

Andy could have lots to celebrate in the next couple of weeks, as he is due to compete against reigning champion Novak Djokovic in the finals of the Australian Open on Sunday.

Four-time runner-up Andy Murray has another opportunity at an elusive Australian Open title after outlasting Canada’s Milos Raonic on Friday in an epic five-set semifinal.

No. 2-ranked Murray had a 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2 win over No. 13-seeded Milos Raonic in a momentum-swinging match that finished just before midnight. No matter that it was 1:10a.m. on the morning of his own Australian Open final, in which he’ll face No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

“I think obviously if you play a quick match on the Friday, it doesn’t really make a huge difference”, Murray said.

The Brit lost in the men’s doubles final at Wimbledon and the US Open previous year with John Peers but finally went one better with his new partner in the first Grand Slam of 2016.

Raonic was bothered an upper right leg injury late in the third set that needed a timeout, and in the fourth set had work done by a trainer. But I’ve obviously played very good tennis here.

“I guess that was sort of just the whole frustration of everything sort of getting out”, he said.

Murray and his Brazilian partner kept their composure and made the crucial break in the fifth game of the second set, with the remainder going the way of serve to force the match to a decider.

World number two Murray also lost to Roger Federer in the 2010 final and is looking to become the first man to lose four finals at a grand slam before finally winning the title.

Raonic, who has gained composure and goal under the coaching of Carlos Moya, began confidently, breaking Murray to love in the opening game of the match, and he went on to take the first set in 36 minutes.

Raonic nearly claimed it back in the next game but Murray saved two break points, falling to one knee and roaring “Yes!” “I felt good. I sort of dipped a little bit too much on my return”.

If Murray does have one thing going for him here, it’s the impending arrival of his first born.

It is the first time two brothers have made separate finals at the same major since Lawrence and Reginald Doherty achieved the feat at Wimbledon in 1906.

Murray finally broke the Canadian in the second set to steal it, but Raonic’s winners and aces allowed him to take the third set when Murray could not keep his composure in the tiebreak.

Of Djokovic having an extra 24 hours to recover for the showpiece following his four-set win over Roger Federer on Thursday, Murray added: “It’s worked both ways for me. I have to be proud of that achievement”, Murray said.

For Murray, whose brother Andy will compete against Novak Djokovic for the singles title tomorrow, the victory marks his maiden Slam title after previously being a losing finalist twice. “She has always been my rock and I can’t wait to see her when I get home”.

“It’s unfortunate, it’s probably the most heartbroken I’ve been on court”, Raonic said of his injury.