Andy Murray produced one of the best performances of his career to dispatch defending champion Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 and reach his first French Open final.
Those who were lucky enough to snap up a €20 ticket on semi-finals day were in for a real treat as Murray became the first British man to reach the final at Roland Garros since Bunny Austin in 1937.
Ten days ago the Davis Cup winner was two points away from going out of the event to Radek Stepanek but is now in his tenth Grand Slam final and on a ten match winning streak on clay.
Simply, the British No.1 was just far too good. The Swiss star, who stunned Novak Djokovic to capture the title 12 months ago, was outplayed and had no answer to an outstanding Murray display.
With Leonardo DiCaprio in the stands, Murray saved his Oscar winning performance until when he needed it the most and he will need another one on Sunday against world No.1 Djokovic.
Wawrinka had won their previous three clashes, not losing to the Brit since 2012, and more tellingly had won every clay court match they had ever played in straight-sets and their last two meetings at a Grand Slam.
Murray broke for a 2-1 lead in the first two sets and showed he is as hard as nails on the big points when saving three break back points to close out the opener 6-4.
After waltzing through the second in 30 minutes he was looking good but a bouncing pumped up Wawrinka stole a tight third with his only break point in the final game.
His joy didn’t last long. Murray broke straight away in the fourth and dominated proceedings from then on in on Philippe Chatrier.
A slightly emotional figure after, the No.2 seed said: “I knew today if I wanted to win I was going to have to play one of my best clay-court matches.
“Stan was playing better every match and I played one of my best matches. I’m looking forward to the final. I’m extremely proud. I never expected to reach the final here, I always struggled on the clay. I hope I can put on a good match on Sunday."
Stat attack:
- Murray is the first British man in the Open Era to reach the French Open final
- Murray is into his 10th Grand Slam final and has equalled Fred Perry for the most appearances in final by a British man
- Murray has won 11 straight matches on clay,
- Murray is bidding to become the 16th man in the Open Era to win at least three of the four Grand Slam titles
- Murray and Djokovic have now met in the final of all four Grand Slam events