Murray blows Berdych away in windswept New York to breeze into US Open final
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Andy Murray overcame Tomas Berdych and 'some of the hardest conditions I've ever played in' to reach his fifth grand slam final at the US Open.
A storm delayed the start of play and, although the rain cleared, an extremely strong wind blew the whole way through the match, disrupting play on numerous occasions and making life extremely tough for both players.
Roaring success: Andy Murray reached his second US Open final and fifth grand slam showpiece
But, although Murray lost a tight first set, it was he who coped with the conditions better, surviving a fightback in the fourth set from Berdych to win 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (9/7) in three hours and 58 minutes.
It will be the 25-year-old's second consecutive grand slam final after his Wimbledon loss to Roger Federer and his second US Open final, with his first experience of a major showpiece coming here in 2008, when he also lost to Federer.
Beaten: Berdych lunges in vain as a shot from Murray whizzes past him
Talking about the conditions afterwards to CBS, Murray said: 'You have to focus for every point. The chairs were flying onto the court, it was hard to serve.
'It's some of the hardest conditions I've ever played in and I come from Scotland so that's saying something.'
Cool it: The umpire appeals for calm as Murray and Berdych argue at the net after the Scot's hat was blown off his head
He added: 'From the end of the first set I was in control. At 3-0 in the fourth I had three break points, but from the far side of the court it was very tough so I got broken in the next game. I just tried to hang in there and I did a good job at the end.'
The result also means Murray will overtake Rafael Nadal to become the new world number three, but most importantly it gives him the chance to claim his first grand slam title.
Nice finish: Murray wins a point with a cool shot at the net
Murray will meet either defending champion Novak Djokovic or Spain's David Ferrer in the final and, asked if he feels this is his time after winning Olympic gold, Murray said: 'I hope so. You can never say for sure, I know how hard these tournaments are to win. David and Novak are top, top players.
'When the conditions are like this, anything could have happened. I'll give everything in the final.'
On the attack: The powerful Berdych won the first set, but Murray's nous won through
Serving up a treat: Murray's craft and guile was there for all to see across four compelling sets
All smiles: Ivan Lendl shares a joke with Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears
Blustery: Berdych observes as chairs and debris are sent in all directions by the wind
Windswept: Ball boys rush to pick up players' paraphernalia as strong winds take hold
Keeping cool: Sean Connery was an involved spectator
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2200400/US-Open-2012-Andy-Murray-beats-Tomas-Berdych-reach-final-New-York.html#ixzz25ujyMcuL
