Andy Murray sets up French Open semi-final clash with Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray defeated David Ferrer 7-6 6-2 5-7 6-1 at the French Open
Former Wimbledon champion remains unbeaten on clay this season
British No 1 will play Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals at Roland Garros

Published:
17:38 GMT, 3 June 2015

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Updated:
21:00 GMT, 3 June 2015

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Andy Murray hauled his way into a second straight French Open semi-final on Wednesday with an impressive takedown of arch Spanish scuffler David Ferrer.

But the scary thing is that this was the easy bit. Now comes the ultimate test in tennis, trying to prevent Novak Djokovic claiming his first title at Roland Garros.

Murray successfully reversed his result against Ferrer at the same stage of this event three years ago by winning 7-6 6-2 5-7 6-1 in three hours and 16 minutes. It was his tenth win over the Spaniard but his first in five attempts on clay.

Andy Murray reacts after setting up a semi-final showdown with Novak Djokovic at the French Open

Murray pumps his fist en route to a 7-6 6-2 5-7 6-1 victory over David Ferrer at Roland Garros

The British No 1 maintained his impressive unbeaten record on clay this year

A ball girl rushes to offer No 7 seed Ferrer a towel as he toils during the quarter-final clash

Murray failed to convert a match point for a straight sets victory before coming through against the Spaniard

Murray stormed through the fourth and final set for the loss of only one game

The world No 3 is in the semi-finals here for the third time in his last four starts – an impressive record on what is considered to be his least favourite surface. He will now have to somehow try and reverse his terrible record against the all-powerful Serb, who has beaten him the last seven times they have met.

‘It’s going to be extremely tough, and I hope I can play high quality tennis,’ said Murray. ‘Novak must have played very well to beat Rafa in straight sets. It will be very difficult.

‘I knew it was going to be a hard match against David. The first set was very important but he fought back in the third and then I had to fight in the fourth.’

Murray especially profited from his aggression on Ferrer’s second serve, piling the pressure on it by standing well inside the baseline to receive.

Murray equalled his personal best by reaching the last four in Paris for a second consecutive year

Murray will have to be at his best again if he is to get past world no 1 Novak Djokovic in the last four

Ferrer towels off as he tries to figure out a way to stop in-form Murray during the opening two sets

The 28-year-old chases down as shot as he won over the French crowd with a fine display

As against Jeremy Chardy, his opponent had issues with his ball toss and Murray was eventually able to capitalise, after he had come through a desperately nervy first set. Looking in control at 4-3 up with a break, he ended up needing to save two set points to take it into a tie-break.

Ferrer, still stewing from his missed opportunities, started it terribly and Murray held solid to race to a 6-1 lead, eventually claiming it 7-4.

Having chuntered his way through the early stages of the second set he sprinted away to 3-0 in the third with Ferrer complaining about the clicking of cameras as he served.

But he never gives in and took advantage of Murray briefly letting his guard down to level. In the eighth game of the third Murray was leading 30-0 against serve when he called out ‘No!’ in the middle of the rally and was called under the ‘hindrance’ rule and lost the point.

It was a fair enough call from US umpire Jake Garner but somewhat ironic in an era when players are allowed to omit lingering grunts or shrieks on every point with impunity.

Murray’s wife Kim Sears was again at courtside to watch her new husband in action

Sears makes her away out of the stands after watching her beau come through in style

Sears had one of her less nerve wracking experiences as a spectator as Murray eased through

Murray shouts during the match, although his typical outbursts were kept to a minimum

Clay court specialist Ferrer managed to win the third set before Murray stepped up a gear

Murray left one woman spectator concerned after nearly crashing over the advertising hoardings

Murray forced a match point at 5-4 but Ferrer dominated the point and smashed away a winner. The disappointment got to the Scot and a loose game thereafter took the match into a fourth.

Once he got the early break the stuffing was, finally, knocked out of the Spaniard by two brilliant backhand winners and the set was done in a relatively quick 32 minutes.

But you wonder how much of a favour Ferrer had done Djokovic by doggedly elongating the contest, and how much Murray had to leave out there.