Murray grinds down Raonic to reach Australian Open final

Iron-clad defence triumphed over all-out attack as Andy Murray overran Milos Raonic 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2 on Friday to book another Australian Open final against Melbourne Park nemesis, Novak Djokovic.
World number two Murray came from behind twice to topple the rangy Canadian in the second semi-final of the season’s first Grand Slam.
He was troubled by a leg injury and finally capitulated after playing majestically for most of the four hours and three minutes contest at a flood-lit Rod Laver Arena.
After leveling the match at two sets all, Murray broke Raonic in the opening game of the decider and the flustered 13th seed smashed his racquet in frustration before promptly crumbling.
Four-times runner-up Murray roared to a 4-0 lead before closing out the match with a dismissive cross-court winner to reach his fifth final at Melbourne Park.
“I started to get a slightly better read on his serve later on and that was the key,” Murray, beaten by Djokovic in last year’s final, said in a courtside interview.
“He definitely slowed down in the fifth set for sure, which was unfortunate for him,” the Scot added of Raonic’s injury.
“I obviously got a bit lucky on that, but you just try to focus on your side of the court.”
Murray’s trips to the final have all ended in heartbreak, but he would have taken heart from his fighting comeback and ability to defuse Raonic’s overwhelming power game.
A match pitting one of the game’s finest servers against a returning maestro promised fireworks but few would have tipped Raonic to break Murray to love in the opening game.
The 25-year-old saved three break-points in the next game, and then held the advantage to close out the set with a huge serve down the “T”.
Having missed break point chances at 1-0 and 3-2 in the second set, Murray had to bid his time.
He kicked the door open with a brilliant cross-court passing shot to set up a set point at 6-5.
The Canadian tried a serve-volley but netted Murray’s sharp return and the Scot pumped his fist in delight.
The tension kept rising as the third set went into a tie-break, and Raonic pounced on a weak second serve from Murray to take a 3-1 lead.
Serving masterfully, Raonic nervelessly rocketed a smash that clipped the line to reach 5-2 before closing out the marathon 58-minute set with an ace.
Reuters/NAN.