Not for almost forty years has Great Britain been represented by both male and female grand slam semi-finalists in the same tournament. On that occassion, John Lloyd would progress to the final whilst Sue Barker would fall to Australian Helen Cawley. However, in 2016, Andy Murray's win in four sets over David Ferrer ensure Britain has a chance for redemption, as he joins Johanna Konta in the semi finals.
Murray too good for Ferrer
In their 19th meeting on the tour and first meeting at the Australian Open since 2011, where the Scot also won in four sets, Murray looked the better player throughout. On that occassion, Murray recovered from losing the first set to go on and swashbuckle his opponent.
This time he would be the one who snatch the early ascendency as he secured the sole break in a slug fest of a first set, devoid of any real quality, and looked on course to reach his sixth Australian Open semi final.
However, he was not having it all his own way and in a long and ardous second set, which would last over an hour on its own, the two traded breaks and break opportunities before finding themselves in a tie break.
A tense affair ensued, with both players producing a mix of quality and nervousness. However, Ferrer would snatch the mini-break and level the match at a set all. It was the first time since Wimbledon 2012 that Murray had lost in a tie break to the Spaniard.
But this would not deter Murray, as he came freshly and sharply out of the blocks at the start of the third set and had all of the momentum as he stole a break early on. His momentum would only be further enhanced when the decision was taken to stop play to close the roof on the Rod Laver Arena with heavy rain forecast. Ferrer bemoaned the decision and seemed to never fully recover mentally from the blow.
Murray saw out the third set with ease, fully dominant and breaking his opponent twice.
A tense fourth set swings both ways before Murray takes control
The fourth set would produce tennis of the highest quality, befitting the world number two and the former number three, with lengthy rallies, battling defences and real moments of splendour. The highlight of this was at 4-2 up, and Murray with the break, when they became involved in a lengthy rally.
For the most part, Murray looked the overwhelming favourite to win the point as he forced Ferrer onto the defensive. However, Ferrer seemingly defied physics in swinging the rally towards himself, sending Murray chasing a long cross-court forehand to the edges of the court.
Whilst he did this, Ferrer raced to the net and greeted Murray's return with a delicate volley which should have killed the match, and given him the break back in the process. But, Murray is the world number two for a reason, sprinting back to the court at lightning quick pace, before firing a stunning passing shot which whistled past a stranded Ferrer at the net.
At that moment, the writing looked on the wall for Ferrer, and despite holding his own serve in the next game, he failed to break Murray, who secured his progress into the next round.
In doing so, he joined Konta, who had defeated qualifier Shuai Zhang of China, earlier in the semi-finals. Lloyd and Barker had also acheived their feat at the Australian Open some 39 years ago. 'Konta has done unbelievable,' Murray would say after the match, reflecting on a successful start to the year for the Brits. This has only been enhanced further by Jamie Murray and his partner Bruno Soares reaching the semi-finals of the Men's Doubles.
'I'm very proud (of Jamie).' And in becoming one of the first British brothers to ever reach the semis of the same grand slam in the Open Era, so he very well should be.
Murray next faces the winner of the contest between Milos Raonic and Gael Monfils, as he looks to finally end his Australian Open hoodoo.
Result
Andy Murray (2) d David Ferrer (8) 6-3 6-7 (5) 6-2 6-3