IN NEW York anything is possible and for Andy Murray the thought of winning his first grand slam title is no longer just a pipe dream.
Click here to view a slideshow of Murray's victory Click here to watch video coverage of the US OpenThe Scot beat Rafael Nadal last night, winning 6-2, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 in the rain- delayed semi-final.
From being two sets to the good on Saturday, he was left with a sleepless night as Tropical Storm Hanna washed him off court and back to the city.
Somehow he had to keep body and soul calm and controlled to come back to Flushing Meadows and finish off the job yesterday.
That he did as 20,000 New Yorkers cheered him on to victory.
"I'm just very relieved to come back after yesterday," Murray said. "It was tough to sleep on it but I'm so glad I came through that match.
"It was tough but the atmosphere was unbelievable today. They only got a set and half sets worth of tennis today and I know they wanted to see a fifth set, but they were unbelievable today and that really helped me.
"This is my favourite tournament and I've said that since I was a junior. I had the guys from Entourage, which is my favourite TV show, here the other night and Will Ferrell, who is my favourite comedian, was here today – it's awesome, you don't get that at home.
"Roger Federer is probably the greatest player ever, so to get the chance to play him in a grand slam final is an honour but I've played well against him before and hopefully I can do that again tomorrow."
Murray did not appear to have missed a beat when he was allowed back on to his favourite Arthur Ashe Stadium. Moved on to the biggest centre court stage in the world, the Scot was determined to put on the show of his life and he did not disappoint.
He was already a break down in the third set, but with a two-set advantage, he still had the sort of cushion that could settle the nerves and allow the Scot to play his game his way. The only problem was Nadal.
The extra hours of rest had given him a new lease of life and he was ready to push Murray to the absolute limit as the Spaniard refused to give up his chance of reaching his first US Open final.
Moving well and trying to keep to the original game plan – keep Nadal out of his muscular comfort zone – Murray kept pressing and forcing break points but Nadal was managing to keep the Scot at bay.
When the Spaniard came through a marathon 15-minute, 22-point game the start of the fourth set, saving seven points and just about holding on, the omens did not look good for Murray.
He dropped his serve in the next game and looked deflated for the first time in the match.
It was only a momentary lapse and, back on his toes, he got the break back to level the scores up at 3-3 and then snatch the result on his first match point.
Murray had beaten the form books, the world No1 and the United States Tennis Association who had made a complete hash of scheduling the semi-finals around the hurricane.
Even CBS television, who pay $35million for the rights to show the tournament, had spotted that Tropical Storm Hanna was about to hit New York on Saturday afternoon.
They were happy to have Federer as their live match and to record Murray's endeavours, wherever and whenever they took place, and show them on tape delay.
At least that way the tournament would finish on time.
The USTA, however, panicked. Having sold their very expensive corporate hospitality suites to the blue-chip companies and sponsors, they did not want any argument if the suits in the suites did not get the two matches in the main stadium they had paid for. So the USTA waited.
More than 90 precious minutes of dry weather were wasted as Murray and Nadal were kept waiting. Hoping that Federer would win in straight sets, the USTA finally had to admit defeat when the Swiss dropped the second set.
That was when they called Murray's match to play in the Armstrong Stadium, the next biggest arena in Flushing Meadows, and kept everything crossed that he and Nadal would wrap things up in double quick time before the storm arrived.
Murray did his very best for them, too. He played brilliantly to take a two-set lead over the Spaniard. In five previous attempts, he had never been able to get the better of Nadal and in four of those, he had failed to take a set. But on Saturday he was at his cleverest, canniest best.
Giving Nadal no rhythm, he mixed up delicate slice with thundering power and baseline sparring with serve and volley attack.
And he was serving aces to a band playing, racking up 17 in the first two-and-a-half sets.
Breaking serve in the third game of the first set, Murray was in the driving seat and never let Nadal come close to threatening him.
Nadal suddenly looked very tired. He may be the most physically imposing figure on the circuit but not even he is superhuman.
A long and profitable summer had taken its toll and hitting his aching legs with his racket, he could not get his feet to move fast enough to keep pace with Murray's charge.
Only the rains could save him on Saturday. Nothing could save him yesterday.
The full article contains 961 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
