Novak Djokovic has booked his place in the final of the French Open after coming through a five-set epic with Andy Murray.
After moving two sets ahead, the world number one appeared to be coasting through to the final before a Murray fightback and impromptu storm halted his charge.
The British number one got back to two sets all, but he couldn't build on his momentum and Djokovic eventually prevailed by a 6-3 6-3 5-7 5-7 6-1 scoreline.
Read below to see how Djokovic moved through to a showdown with Stanislas Wawrinka.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the conclusion of the French Open semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
For the majority of their match last night, Novak Djokovic looked a near certainty to wrap up his semi-final against Andy Murray in straight sets. However, against the odds, Murray produced a storming comeback to extend the contest into a fourth set, which reached 3-3 before a storm ended play for the day. Murray had the momentum when the bad weather set in, but can he continue his form this afternoon?
As far as the weather is concerned, we are fine. It's as if that storm never happened! Roland Garros is accompanied by bright sunshine and clear skies, and there is no danger of this match not being completed.
The organisers seem eager to get this one done and dusted too. The players are already half-way through their warmup and we will be getting underway in just a few minutes.
As you probably already know, the winner of this match will play Stanislas Wawrinka after the Swiss saw off the challenge of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets. You can read our report of that match here.
Right then, here we go. It will be Novak Djokovic to serve first.
It's a fast start from Djokovic, who uses his forehand to force Murray to attempt back-to-back lobs, which both fail. A huge serve down the middle brings up three game points before a love hold is completed in majestic style as the world number one dinks a drop shot over the net in response to Murray's heavy slice.
Djokovic looks so sharp in the early stages and Murray is lucky to survive after the world number one goes for a tad too much on a lob with Murray beaten. Murray then catches the line with a forehand to move to 30-0 before Djokovic goes long with a backhand. Murray seals the hold to love by outlasting Djokovic from the baseline and it's a phenomenal start to the second stage of this match.
Djokovic replies with two big first serves to open up a 30-0 advantage before executing a one-two behind his first delivery. This is perfect tennis. A love hold is sealed when Murray catches the net cord which takes a forehand wide of the line. Murray will now serve to stay in the match.
Murray takes the opening point when Djokovic wilts first during a baseline rally before the Scot executes a sublime drop shot to extend his lead. Murray creates three game points but Djokovic remains alive with a drive volley into the corner. Murray responds with an ace out wide to stay in the match.
BREAK! The physicality of some of this points is outrageous. Djokovic takes the first point but Murray prevails from a 32-shot rally that ends with the Scot beating Djokovic with a drop shot. Murray then catches out his opponent with a smart backhand for 15-30 before two break points are created when Djokovic goes wide. Big moments here. The first is saved with a commanding point that ends with a smash but Murray breaks through when Djokovic blazes a forehand long.
SET! A forehand winner gets Djokovic off to the perfect start but the score moves to 15-15 after the Serbian goes marginally long with a backhand. Murray ups the tempo to force another mistake out of Djokovic for 30-15 before the world number hooks another backhand wide of the line. It's two set points to Murray, but the first goes begging after he sends the ball into the net with a forehand. Huge point coming up. Murray takes it! Djokovic goes long and we are heading into a fifth!
Djokovic is well and truly on the back foot, but that's when he is at his majestic best. He powers to the opening two points of this decider but Murray halves the deficit when Djokovic nets. The world number one hits back for two game points but he then double faults for just the second time in the match. Murray is miles behind the baseline but he is gifted deuce after a backhand error from his opponent. Djokovic improves through with two tactically-perfect points and he holds.
BREAK! This feels like a huge game as far as Murray is concerned and he doesn't begin well. Djokovic is taking the initiative in the points and it forces the Scot into two mistakes. Another unforced error from Murray hands Djokovic three break points, but the first is saved after the Serbian misses out down the line. However, Murray tamely hands Djokovic the advantage by netting a forehand. It's going to be tough from here.
At 15-0, Murray hits back with a thunderous forehand down the line that forces Djokovic to go wide, but the third seed can't take advantage and nets with a backhand. Djokovic creates two game points with a testing smash but Murray remains in the game when his opponent hooks a backhand wide. The next point is smartly played by Djokovic, and he's left with an easy forehand after a kicker-serve out wide. Murray must hold serve in the next game or this match is pretty much done.
Murray is gifted the opening point after Djokovic frames a shot from the baseline before he opens up a 30-0 lead with a big first serve down the middle. Three game points are created after a clever forehand played behind Djokovic but the world number remains in the game after failing to handle a powerful return from his opponent. He takes the game though, and he needed that. He could do with breaking here...
Murray is so unlucky with a forehand down the line after chasing down a smash, but that's the small margins that could cost him a place in the final. Djokovic extends his advantage to 30-0 before he crushes a forehand into the open court. Too good. An easy smash confirms the game and he is two away.
BREAK! As the clock ticks past the four-hour mark, Djokovic just misses out with a ridiculous drop shot before he tamely nets after pressure from Murray. Back comes the world number one, who connects with a return that leaves Murray floundering on the baseline. The score moves to 30-30 after Djokovic takes control of another exchange and that soon becomes break point when Murray hooks a backhand wide. He must take this next point, but he can't. Djokovic stays patient before nailing a forehand winner on the line and he will now serve for the match.
MATCH! Djokovic has the ball on a string right now and two drop shots force the mistakes from Murray. The Scot falls three match points behind after sending a return long, but he saves the first when Djokovic nets what appeared to be a simple backhand conversion. He takes the second match point though with an ace out wide and Murray's dream of an appearance in the French Open final is over.
It's taken him a lot longer than he would have imagined, but after four hours and eight minutes, Novak Djokovic finally sees off the challenge of Andy Murray in five sets. Murray was outstanding during the first 30 minutes after the restart but at the start of the fifth, Djokovic took over and deservedly sealed his place in the final.
That will be all from Sports Mole's coverage of this match but we hope to see you again in 45 minutes time for the women's final between Serena Williams and Lucie Safarova. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
