1812 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 6-4
Murray starts as he means to go on with another ace to go 15-0 up.
However, he hits the net to allow Rafa back in.
The Beeb commentator tells us a six-year-old in the crowd which the camera cuts away to 'still believes'- please!
Break: A fine crosscourt winner from Nadal puts him out to 15-30. Huge pressure on Murray. A heckler shouts 'Do it for Beckham!' Murray responds by levelling at 30-30. Murray then hits the net on a forehand to give Nadal his matchpoint: Murray forces hard to put Nadal under pressure. The Scot delivers a massive first serve which has Nadal stretching to dig it out. He does and crosscourts to Murray. The Scot returns before Nadal plays a return down the line. Murray hammers a backhand to the right corner, but it is too long and out. The ball is out and Murray is out. Nadal was just too experienced, too classy, too good and too much for Murray. Back to the drawing board for the English tabloids as they search for another great white hype to pin their hopes upon. Game, set and match Nadal.
1812 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 5-4
Superb rally is won by Nadal with a cracking crosscourt forehand. Murray should have been expecting that, poor from the Scot.
Nadal takes another quick point as the Pearl of Manacor smells the blood of a Scotsman on his hands. He moves to 40-0 with little trouble and then seals the set. Murray must now serve to stay in the Championship.
1812 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 4-4
Nadal comes to the net to challenge Murray. This pressure pays off and Murray lobs too far. 0-15.
Once more Nadal has Murray scampering and the Scot hits the net with his effort from the baseline. But Murray responds with tenacity: he comes to the net and forces Nadal to hit the net: 30-30.
Nadal comes to the net again, this time he fires a winner to the left hand-corner. Break point Nadal: the Spaniard overhits a baseline lob, we're at deuce.
Break: Murray goes to advantage after pushing Nadal into a crosscourt forehand that was too much for him. A drop shot to win the game is fluffed by Murray. David Beckham grimaces in the crowd - the Beeb getting in probably the 20th shot of Goldenballs and his son so far today. Murray is finally broken as his his first serve lets him down.
1804 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 3-4
Nadal almost wins the game at 40-0 up, his crosscourt backhand was ever so slightly wide. Murray follows up with a superb return to make it 40-30. But in the end it is all in vain as Murray pushes an effort over the baseline. This is great tennis from two evenly-matched gladiators.
1801 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 2-4
Murray Mound - or Becker's Bump, as it was once known - errupts as the camera pans across to reveal the Scotsman's faithful willing their hero on.
Murray races to 30-0 ahead. After a long rally Nadal overcooks another baseline effort which leaves him at 40-0 up. Murray then secures the game with a pitch-perfect forehand down the line.
1757 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 2-3
A simple net shot would have put Murray level at 15-15 a piece. As it was he clipped that shot into the net. Nadal follows up with an ace at 40-0 to win the game.
1754 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 1-3
Andy Murray chomps down some banana - he will need plenty of potassium to win this match.
Superb play from Murray puts him 40-15 up. He is turning the tables on Nadal at present and peppering shots around the court. Nadal miscues a backhand and puts it into the tramlines - game Murray.
1750 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 1-2
Nadal is not in a generous mood in his next service game and eats Murray alive. At 40-0 up he aces to win the game. The next game is going to put massive pressure on Murray.
1748 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 0-2
Murray struck his 11th and 12th aces in this encounter to go to 40-15 ahead, he follows that with a facile point to win the game. Murray has his head above water here.
1740 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 0-1
It's a long way back for Murray. How he may rue that missed set point in the tiebreaker. When push comes to shove Murray just doesn't seem to have the kicker card to trump Nadal.
Break: Yet he builds three break points in Nadal's first service game. On the crucial point Nadal is run ragged by Murray. Eventually Nadal pushes his shot wide into the tramlines. Crucial break for Murray.
1740 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 7-6 (8/6)
Superb cross court forehand gives Murray a 2-0 lead. Nadal plays a beautiful array of shots to make it 2-1 on his own serve.
Fantastic forehand to the corner makes it 3-2 Murray. He has tried that shot many times this set and it has failed, but it finally came off when he needed it there.
On the next point Murray tries a crosscourt forehand to vary things - it doesn't come off: 3-3.
The most common sight today has been Murray digging out lost balls in the corners, he does it again, but Nadal responds by hammering home a smash winner. Murray hits back with two aces - brave play. 4-5 Murray.
Murray once more scampers to a Nadal drop shot and this time makes it. Amazing get, but Nadal lunges for Murray's cross court return and wins the point. 5-5.
Nadal double faults to make it give Murray set point. His first serve hits the net. On the second Murray smashes a forehand down the line, but Nadal lunges and backhand crosscourt volley wins it. 6-6. Set point saved.
Nadal wins the next with power - his backhand almost burns a hole through Murray's racket on the way to winning the point. Nadal has his set point and wins it by sending Murray to the right corner where the Scot can't reach the shot. Set to Nadal.
1719 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 6-6
Murray goes 30-0 down as the Scot forces a forehand too far down the line. Nadal then has Murray scampering again, before playing a drop shot to the right corner, which Murray was never going to be able to reach. We will go to a tie-breaker.
Nadal takes an early point, before overhitting the next effort. Murray edges his nose in front with an ace. Nadal pulls level at 30-30 as Murray fails to deal with Nadal's routine drop shot. Yet an ace gives Andy his opening at 40-30. Nadal has a chance to pull level once more with an inside-out forehand at the net, but he undercuts it into the net. Game Murray - he got away with that last point.
1719 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 5-5
Murray hits the net from the baseline to give Nadal a 0-30 lead. Nadal hits a superlative looped backhand with loads of topspin to the right corner, before winning a facile point to take the game.
1717 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 4-5
Stan Smith - the man behind the coolest running shoes in the history of tennis is in the crowd.
Murray once more takes his service game with ease. Murray has been the better in this match so far, but he cannot convert his chances.
1714 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 4-4
Murray has a mini-chance at 15-30. A marvellous backhand loops long and high and hits the baseline with no space to spare, Nadal tries a lob in return but it is too long. Break point: Murray turns his return into the net.
30-40: Murray tries to repeat his lob ball; however, this time he overcooks and puts it too long - 40-40.
Nadal goes to advantage with a cross-court forehand winner. But Murray gets a great return on Nadal's serve and after pushing Nadal into the right corner, Murray swings play across to the left corner for the winner. He follows up by trying to play a two-handed forehand down the line, but hits the net with his effort.
Nadal then secures the game on the next point. Murray is pushing Nadal but he can't get string enough points together to get that break he needs.
1705 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 3-4
Murray makes Nadal work around the court for a change, eventually wrong-footing him to make it 30-15. Nadal is once more worked and then overhits a baseline backhand to put Murray 40-15 ahead. Murray's moonballing technique was boring Nadal and the Spaniard decided to belt it. Lack of patience there.
1701 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 3-3
Murray is in so much control on his own serve and is pushing Nadal hard on his own - he needs a breakthrough now though. Going 2-0 down on sets would give his confidence a massive dent.
Not this game though. Nadal races to 30-0 up with Murray looking a little jaded. However, a baseline rally from both players sees Nadal overhit a forehand and let Andy back in: 30-15.
A massive Nadal serve is too hot for Murray to handle and he puts the return long and out: 40-15.
Nadal hits the net on the first serve and after a five-shot rally hits the net to allow Murray another point: 40-30. More unforced errors creeping in from Nadal. Murray hits a winner to make it deuce.
Nadal goes to advantage as he slips yet still reaches a drop shot, before seeing Murray over hit a lob with Nadal in no man's land.
Murray brings it back to deuce as he now overhits a forehand down the line. Nadal once more wins an advantage as he plays a fiery ball down the line with his forehand to win the point. The game is won as Murray drop shots then leaves too much space down the line for Nadal to hammer a winner home. Great game.
1651 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 2-3
Murray aces to make it 40-0, then wins the game by coming to the net and forcing Nadal to attempt a lob which is wild and wide.
1651 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 2-2
Boris Becker informs us that is three hours since the players had a plate of spaghetti, so they are bound to be hungry.
Nadal overcooks a baseline shot which puts the score at 15-30. Nadal looked angry at himself after that one. He recovers his composure to hit two superb volleys to either side of the court before drop-shotting a winner. Another quick point leaves it 40-30. Murray digs out a corner shot from Nadal which he forehands across court way out of Nadal's reach. 40-40.
However, he then attempts a forehand down the line which he fails to give enough height and hits the net: advantage to Nadal. The Spaniard serves and smashes Murray's return home to win the game.
1644 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 1-2
Nadal hits a poor net shot this time to give Murray a 15-0 lead. From here Nadal fails to ignite for the rest of the game. Murray takes the game without breaking much sweat.
1642 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 1-1
Nadal slices a backhand which gives Murray first blood. Murray could have gone 30-0 ahead, but hits the net after a smashing rally from both players. Nadal faults on his first serve at 15-15. Once more Murray fails to capitalise on the second serve, directing a two-handed backhand into the net - Nadal was out of position too.
Nadal wins the game with a huge serve that Murray simply cannot deal with.
1638 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4 0-1
Murray, as in the first set, storms ahead in his first service game. 40-0 and he secures the game.
1635 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4
That was harsh on Murray. He played well in the set. The Scot needs to control the game more and prevent Nadal from directing the pace of the match so much.
1635 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 6-4
Set: Nadal takes an easy opening point. On the next, Nadal attempts another inside-out forehand with loads of top-spin. Murray reaches it, but his effort at a drop shot hits the net.
Another quick points leaves us at set point: Murray pulls one back. Two set points remain. An excellent backhand winner makes it 40-30, Murray is fighting hard for this first set. Murray tries to moonball it the baseline but hits it too long. SET NADAL.
1627 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 5-4
Break: Murray double faults to bring Nadal level at 30-30. Then Murray lets Nadal in with a weak first serve. Nadal stretches Murray to his right, before winning the point with a corner-directed forehand. Break point: Nadal once more forces Murray to run everywhere around the court and finally the pressure tells as Murray forces a cross field backhand into the tramlines.
1627 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 4-4
Nadal is making Murray do a huge amount of leg work on the Spaniard's serve. After sending Murray scurrying he directs a winner into the corner which Murray had no chance of reaching. At 40-30 Nadal's serve is too good and Murray returns to the net. It's early days here, but these two look so evenly-matched it may take the full five sets to separate them.
1622 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 3-4
Murray is taking no prisoners on his serve. A huge forehand which is directed into the very corner of the court followed by a massive serve wins it for Murray. Impressive from Murray.
1619 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 3-3
Murray wins the opening point as his baseline backhand trickles over the net. He almost goes 0-30 ahead but his return hits the lip of the net and levels the scores at 15-15.
Nadal tries his inside-out forehand twice to bamboozle Murray, but the Scot digs out a deep baseline shot twice, the second is a point winner: 15-30.
Nadal uses power over placing for the next point to level at 30-30 with a massive smash. An overcooked Murray forehand puts Nadal 40-30 ahead, before Nadal wins the game with an easy point.
1611 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 2-3
A lovely cross-court drop shot from Murray sends him 30-0 up. He follows up with a superb serve which Nadal returns into the net. Nadal pulls one back when Murray hits the net from the baseline himself. Nadal claws back to 40-30 with a smashing crosscourt winner. Murray composes himself to deliver an over-the-shouder backhand to send Nadal hopelessly scurrying across the baseline in a failed attempt to dig out the return.
1609 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 2-2
Nadal does much the same on his own service game, storming into a 40-0 lead and then forcing Murray to turn his return into his net. Game Nadal.
1605 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 1-2
Murray dismantles Nadal in this one, winnning the game 40-0. The last point was a lovely chi from Murray over Nadal from just outside the service box. Both Nadal and Murray are out full guns blazing.
Boris Becker: 'The Royal Box is the place to be this afternoon.'
1605 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 1-1
Nadal hits a let on his first serve. His second attempt hits the net. He gets his second serve away, but Murray's forehand is strong again and Nadal can't match it as he send a baseline return into the net. Nadal calmly drop shots over the net to make it 15-15.
Nadal once more lets, then is forced to a second serve. A superb rally has Nadal on top as Murray scampers around court like a Scottish terrier, but his forehand is not powerful enough to damage the Spaniard - 30-15. It's very much baseline to baseline play as Nadal's power forces Murray into another forehand into the net: 40-15. Nadal quickly finished the game. A lot of early running for Murray.
1600 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 0-1
A fine first serve leads Murray to 30-30 after conceding some early points. His first ace of the match followed by a forehand down the line off Nadal's return gives Murray the first game.
1556 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray 0-0
Boris 'Boom Boom' Becker is out of the broom cupboard and into the commentary box for this one. Let's hope he delivers his usual firebrand mix of inane comments and bizarre German humour.
1553 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray
Katherine Jenkins is in the crowd to lend Murray some much-needed Celtic support. Former Olympic triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards is also in attendance, doing his best David Beckham impression in black suit and shades.
1546 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray
Greg Rusedski feels it is Murray's time for glory. Henman thinks the key for Murray is dictating the pace from the baseline.
1545 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray
David Beckham has decided to make an appearance. He is kitted out in a black suit and white shirt for those fashion-minded of you who wish to know.
Murray makes his way onto Centre Court. He is carrying his traditional four bottles of yellow-looking liquid in plastic bottles. Lord knows what delicious concoction has been mixed up for him.
1535 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray
The Beeb are building this up as much as they possibly can: cue Rocky IV style montages of Murray pulling a wooden sleigh through the Scottish highlands while his mother sits atop cheering him on! Well, not quite that creative, but nearly!
I'll give Murray two things: 1) He plays a great brand of tennis and 2) he is certainly a calm and collected type figure. I get the feeling he will handle the British public's expectations far better than Tim Henman did in his day.
1530 Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray
So Berdych is in the final, who will he meet? Murray Mound will be eagerly anticipating the arrival of the most hyped man in British sport. So will we.
Fair play to Berdych, he is reviving the glory days of Czech tennis. The central European nation has not seen such a high point since Ivan Lendl was seen racing around Wimbledon in his Mizuno whites.
1529 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 6-7 (9/11) 3-6
Berdych stretches Djokovic with probing baseline shots to push into a 30-0 lead. Another poor Djokovic return off a serve allows Berdych to push a forehand to the baseline corner. Three match points: Djokovic saves the first by saving a shot which clipped the net and smashing home. He is not so lucky with the second. Berdych's serve is too good and Djokovic's return simply hits the umpire's seat. GAME, SET AND MATCH.
1521 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 6-7 (9/11) 3-5
Break: Djokovic looks knackered out there, the question is can he galvanise himself and have one more lash at Berdych. At the moment my instinct would be to say he cannot.
A gust of wind pushed a Djokovic baseline effort an inch too long. At 15-30 Djokovic needs to second serve: he does so well and after an eight shot rally wins the point with a backhander down the line. Sublime shot to make it 30-30. A double fault gives Berdych break point. John McEnroe states Djokic is on the edge of a cliff right now: he decides to jump, as a double fault makes it 5-3 to Berdych. The Czech to serve for the Wimbledon final.
1521 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 6-7 (9/11) 3-4
Easy for Berdych on his own serve. Two aces in a row win the game. The Serbian Djokovic can't compete against Berdych's power.
1518 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 6-7 (9/11) 3-3
The BBC commentators are talking about Berdych's coach smuggling salmon across the border in the Iron Curtain days. All that Omega 3 must have helped the Czech-man.
Djokovic starts this set leaping across the court like a salmon. He turns Berdych inside and out, winning a superb cross court point and an ace to make it 40-15. Then he overhits a routine forehand to allow Berdych back in at 40-30. Berdych has a chance to kill Djokovic on a poor drop shot, but his smash hits the net from a yard away. Game Djokovic.
1514 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 6-7 (9/11) 2-3
Another Berdych ace makes it 30-0. Djokovic hits the net from the baseline to make it 40-0. At this point there looks like just one winner. Berdych smashes a second serve at Djokovic and Novak fails to return. Game Berdych.
1512 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 6-7 (9/11) 2-2
Djokovic would love to break early in this set to give his some mental respite from Berdych's domination. First point of the game is to Berdych as Djokovic can't reach a Berdych backhand down the line. A quick return from a serve with no power makes it 0-30. Djokovic hits back with a cross-court smash to pull a point back, before levelling at 30-30 thanks to an over-hit lob from Berdych. Berdych puts Djokovic under more pressure with a massive return, then backhand winner. Djokovic hits an ace to make it deuce. Djokovic accounts for Berdych with a lovely crosscourt forehand. Superb winner.
1506 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 6-7 (9/11) 1-2
At 15-15 Berdych must go to a second serve, but it's a well-placed delivery which Djokovic can't handle at all. His return is outside the tramline. Another two strong first serves from Berdych sees out the game. Djokovic's last two returns lacked any sort of conviction. He looks out of sorts and weak mentally. He will have to dig deep to salvage this.
1503 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 6-7 (9/11) 1-1
Djokovic wins two points in quick sucession to go to 40-15 up. The second was a lovely net-point winner. He sealed the game when Berdych delivered a poor return which dropped lamely over the baseline.
1459 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 6-7 (9/11) 0-1
Berdych has secured his own service game to claim the opening game of the third set. He is in real control of this tie heading into this crucial set.
1453 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 6-7 (9/11)
Djokovic, shouldn’t that be Chokervic? An enthralling tiebreak goes the way of Berdych. The Czech player conspired to throw the second set away and Djoker arguably played the better tennis. But two unforgivable double faults - one on set point - hands a jittery Berdych the second set. The Serb smashes his record in frustration and pick up a code violation, but that’s the least of his problems.
1435 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 6-6
Break Djokovic breaks back to force a tie-break. The Serb’s court coverage was crucial to the break back. The Djokovic clan aren’t the most loved family on tour and it’s easy to see why. Djoker’s pesky youngest brother, who has already incurred the wrath of Roger Federer in his time, cheers at a most inopportune time as Czech daggers are fired towards the Serbian entourage.
1428 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 5-6
Break Berdych puts himself in with a massive chance of winning the second set and the match with a sensational break. The Czech builds up three break points and while Djokovic saves the first one, the Serb fluffs his lines in a major way on the second when sending an overhead smash long.
1424 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 5-5
Berdych holds.
1420 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 5-4
Djokovic holds as Berdych gifts him the ninth game of the set with a poorly executed drop shot.
1416 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 4-4
Forget everything you know. It’s hard to believe Berdych is a man whose career has been dogged by mental frailty. His progress to the semi-final of the French Open and his defeat of Roger Federer seem to have acted as catalysts in a sudden transformation.
What’s going on in the box? Andrews Castle and John McEnroe are on commentary duty for the Beeb and a rather unnerving aspect of their early analysis has been the sound emanating from an anonymous heavy breather. We’re talking Darth Vader meets Frank Booth here. Castle eventually puts us at ease by assuring us that the wheeze is coming from an out-of-shape ball boy who hovering over an on-court mic. I’m not convinced.
1412 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 4-3
Djokovic is serving at 83%, yet he’s been second best in this contest. The upset is very much on.
1410 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 3-3
Djokovic offers precious little resistance in the face of the Berdych serve.
1405 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 3-2
Djokovic holds, despite Berdych taking the Serb to deuce.
1401 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 2-2
A Berdych time violation and an unsuccessful Djokovic challenge feature in a game that the Czech eventually holds. The highlight was another ferocious inside out forehand from Berdych at break point. Real conviction from a man not exactly renowned for that particular trait.
1352 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 2-1
Djokovic holds to love.
1350 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 1-1
Berdych motors through his first service game of the second set.
1348 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6 1-0
Djokovic holds as he bids to regain a foothold in the match.
1343 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-6
Everything’s coming up Berdych as the Czech wins both a challenge and, more importantly, the first set. His final point featured a massive inside out forehand that left Djokovic stranded at the baseline.
1339 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 3-5
An impressive service game, featuring two aces, means Berdych will have to serve to close out the set.
1335 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 2-5
Berdych holds as Djokovic is forced to serve to stay in the first set.
1332 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 2-4
Break Berdych lands the first major body blow as he breaks the Serb. Berdych’s big groundstrokes earned him two break points before Djokovic dumped the ball into the net to hand his opponent the early initiative.
1327 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 2-3
Berdych does the necessary, but Djokovic is the first man to bring the server to deuce. Two aces ensures Berdych snuffs out the danger.
1320 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 2-2
Djokovic holds to love as both men struggle to settle into the match. Loads of empty seats on Centre Court. This particular match-up doesn’t appeal to the jingoists.
1318 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 1-2
Berdych hammers down a couple of massive serves as he holds to 15. The 12th seed lost just 13 points against Roger Federer when he got his first serve in and that weapon should prove hugely potent again today.
1315 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 1-1
The Djoker holds, but not in absolutely convincing fashion. A double fault and an errant forehand blemish his opening service game.
1313 Novak Djokovic v Thomas Berdych 0-1
Berdych concedes just one point on his massive serve in the opening game, highlights of which included a big ace from the Czech and a deft drop shot from Djokovic.
The first semi-final on Centre Court features Novak Djokovic and Thomas Berdych, while the main event between Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal gets underway in the immediate aftermath of that one.
Alliteration and Aorangi Terrace have always gone together like strawberries and cream, and the dreaded Henman Hill becomes Murray Mound for another afternoon as the masses get behind their man.
The Scot’s lack of ‘watchability’ means most at RTÉ.ie are in the Nadal corner today.
