Andy Murray
Murray defied the serving power of Janowicz to book his place in the final against Djokovic. Reuters

Andy Murray stands on the bribk of history after booking a second consecutive Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic after outwitting Jerzy Janowicz in four sets at SW19.

Murray won 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-3 over Janowicz, the first Polish male to reach a grand slam semi-final, to reach a sixth major final as he seeks to avenge defeat by Roger Federer 12 months ago and become the first British male to win the Wimbledon singles' title in 77 years.

Janowicz meanwhile did his reputation as the tour's emerging talent no harm and after taking the first set looked on the brink of causing an upset before a succession of serving errors at 4-1 down in the third set allowed Murray to cruise into Sunday's final.

Any fears that the 22 year old from Lodz, playing in his first grand slam semi-final, would be overawed by the occasion were quick swatted away in the opening exchanges as the Pole went toe-to-toe with the British No.1 with his daunting serve providing early problems.

Murray did miss a break point in the fourth game after miss-hitting a Janowicz second serve and the world No.22 required similar nerves of steel in the 10<sup>th game as he saved two set points with a pair of booming serves.

Such was the serving power of both, the match inevitably went into a first set tie-break, and after Murray was outdone in the opening rally, Janowicz opened up a 4-2 lead at the changeover and then benefited from a double fault from the Brit to clinch the first set.

Janowicz took his eye off the ball momentarily at the start of the second set, allowing Murray to secure the most priceless of breaks after two double faults from the Polish player.

Further signs of Janowicz's wavering concentration were clear to see in the fifth game as a spate of wayward forehands gave Murray two break points, but a netted forehand and an unreturned ace got him out of jail.

Those missed opportunities almost came back to haunt Murray in the next game, slipping to 0-30 before Janowicz missed an open court forehand with a break-back there for the taking.

His forehand was in working order in the next game as he hung in the second set, resilience that paid off ahead of the eighth game as Murray's long forehand set up more break-points, but an ace and an unreturned serve denied Janowicz, who was continuing to encroach on his opponents' second set dominance.

But Murray defied Janowicz to take the second set 6-4 and level the match.

The US Open champion's authority appeared to be only temporary when faced with two break-points at the start of the second set, but three aces helped him hold serve.

If Janowicz's serving prowess came as no surprise coming into his maiden grand slam semi-final appearance, then his touch around the net was less apparent but he proved just able, breaking Murray with a beautiful drop shot.

A running forehand gave Murray the break back to spark euphoric scenes around centre court while Janowicz's concentration again appeared to slip amid continued requests for the roof to be closed and displays of frustration.

Murray won 10 points in a row to set up three break points and despite another crafty Janowicz drop shot, a long forehand put the Briton ahead before a nervy hold gave the world No.2 a two sets to one advantage and one foot in his second Wimbledon final.

To Murray's consternation the roof was closed with the evening drawing in, forcing a delay of nearly 30 minutes and upon the resumption Janowicz provided evidence the break had improved his eye, breaking a sequence of losing five successive games.

A rapid-fire service game from the Olympic singles gold medallist pilled the pressure back on Janowicz and he subsequently wilted, finding the net from a regulation forehand to give Murray the break.

And when a second break came in the ninth game Murray had confirmed his place in his second Wimbledon final, in what will be his fourth grand slam final appearance.