Day 12 of the Australian Open: Murray vs Raonic semifinal

Andy Murray hailed yesterday as a brilliant day for British tennis after he joined compatriot Johanna Konta in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Murray, making his 18th trip to a Grand Slam semifinal, beat David Ferrer 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday.

That win helped propel Murray to his first Grand Slam crown, and he would add Wimbledon the following year, with an Olympic singles gold at the All-England Club sandwiched in between.

It is the first time that two British singles players – man or woman – have featured in the last four at the same Grand Slam event since John Lloyd and Sue Barker at the 1977 Australian Open.

It will be Raonic’s second grand slam semi-final after his 2014 Wimbledon loss to Roger Federer, who he beat to open his season with a title in Brisbane two weeks ago.

Murray beat Spain’s David Ferrer 6-3 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 6-3 to reach the men’s last four after Konta had earlier knocked out Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai in the women’s quarter-finals.

On that occasion, he lost to Roger Federer.

First, he took exception with the BBC and BuzzFeed News reports that alleged tennis authorities had ignored evidence of match-fixing involving 16 players in the past decade.

Kerber’s victory over the 14th seed Victoria Azarenka was greeted as a surprise.

In announcing the review, ATP Chairman Chris Kermode said the reports had “caused damage to the sport”, which compelled the major stakeholders in tennis – the International Tennis Federation, ATP and WTA tours, and the four Grand Slams – to take quick action to address the issue.

TSN’s live Australian Open coverage also features Canada’s Daniel Nestor competing in the Men’s Doubles Final.

The Canadian will hope to keep the points short against Murray, who has the fitness and speed to match the game’s ultimate baseline hustlers, as Ferrer found to his detriment.

The Sydney-born Konta, who came through a draining three-setter in the fourth round, recovered to oust Zhang 6-4, 6-1 and set up a last-four clash against German seventh seed Angelique Kerber.

Murray liked it with a roof over his head. I feel like I can find my way back. “That’s positive, surely”, said Murray. “I grew up in Scotland where the weather isn’t quite like here and I played most of my tennis indoors”, said the world number two.

“I think he will clean that up and he needs to”, Eurosport pundit Rusedski said.

“I think today was probably the best match I played, especially in the second and third set”.

Raonic is renowned for his booming serve but the 25-year-old realises he will need to be smart too against Murray, who feeds off pace and relishes a counter-attacking game. “I’ll put in a great effort, I can’t wait to make the most of this opportunity”.

Kerber went down a break in the second set before winning five consecutive games and saving five set points before beating Azarenka, her first win in seven matches against the Belarussian.

Ferrer had evened up the contest after a thrilling tie-break featuring rallies of 27 and 31 shots that brought an end to an absorbing 71-minute second set.

“Yeah, like I said, it’s been a very good start to the year [For Milos]”.

The other semifinalists – six-time champion Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska – were determined on Tuesday.