Edging closer to his historic accomplishment, Raonic opened up the fourth set with a love service game. After three games of play, he left the court to receive an injury timeout to treat a right groin issue.
Returning to the court, the world No.14 appeared more tense as Murray level to 2-2 with ease. Murray sensed that it was time for him to attack his weakening opponent as he raced to 40-0 in the seventh game of the set against Raonic’s serve. The break was sealed after the world No.14 hit a forehand into the net to allow the Brit to move ahead 4-3. Skating on thin ice, the second seed edged his way to one game from levelling the match. The Brit had the chance to clinch the fourth set 6-3 after a scorching backhand down the line gave him a set point, but he failed to capitalize on the break point as he turned to serving for the set in the following game. Taking the match into a deciding set was far from straightforward for the Brit. Fending off two break back points, Murray fired a serve down the line to level for the first time in the match.
The damage inflicted by Murray on his injured opponent intensified in the final set. As Raonic struggled around the court, he handed Murray the early break in the decider following a double fault. The break infuriated the Canadian as he received a warning from the umpire for destroying his racket.
The closeness between the two players disappeared further as an unforced error from the fading Raonic handed Murray a double break in what was a virtual match point. It was a straightforward end to a roller coaster match as Murray sealed the victory with a forehand crosscourt winner.
Andy #Murray is through to the #Ausopen final! Watch more https://t.co/Ek545Zh2D9 https://t.co/gcWHtmWzo2
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2016
During the mammoth encounter, which lasted five minutes short of four hours, Murray produced 9 aces (14 less than Raonic), 38 winners and 28 unforced errors.
The British No.1 will now play in his 9th Grand Slam final. His semifinal victory is Murray’s 45th win in Melbourne, putting him joint-6th on the list for the most Australian Open wins in the Open Era. Awaiting him in the final will be world No.1 Novak Djokovic in what will be a repeat of last year’s final. The Brit currently trails the head-to-head against Djokovic 9-21.
