Andy Murray is hoping history repeats itself when he takes on Rafael Nadal in the semi-final of the US Open.
British number one upbeat on chances of maiden grand slam
Andy Murray is hoping his second US Open semi-final will turn out the same way as the first when he comes up against defending champion Rafael Nadal on Saturday.
Murray reached his first grand slam final with a brilliant victory over the formidable Spaniard in the last four at Flushing Meadows in 2008 before losing the showpiece to Roger Federer.
Nadal has had the upper hand in their recent battles, beating his rival in the last four at the French Open this year and Wimbledon for two years in a row, but Murray believes hard courts offer him the best chance.
"I've beaten him before in the semis, I won against him also at the Australian Open," said the Scot.
"And, when I've won against him, it's always been on hard courts. It's a good surface for me to play him on.
"Obviously at the French I would go into that match not being a favourite, then Wimbledon I've got a chance, but his record has been great there. I think on the American hard courts it's a close, close match-up."
Hectic
Both men will be playing a third match in as many days but they reached the last four in contrasting fashions, with Murray needing almost three-and-a-half hours to battle past John Isner while Nadal thrashed Andy Roddick for the loss of only six games.
But the second seed feels Murray was not far away from getting the better of him at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
"If he's closer, he will beat me because on clay it was very close, and on grass it was a very close match," said Nadal. "He's a fantastic player on all the surfaces and it will be a very tough match for me and hopefully for him, too."
Murray's quarter-final victory over John Isner ensured he became only the seventh man in the Open era to reach the semi-finals at all four slams in the same year, while for the first time since 1992 at the US Open the top four seeds will contest the final stages.
It also happened at the French Open this year, and Murray said: "I think it's good for tennis. Everyone has played great tennis in the slams this year.
"That's, I think, what people would like to see. It's been great consistency and I'm glad to be part of that."
