Andy Murray closed to within one victory of becoming the world’s top-ranked player for the first time after defeating Tomas Berdych in the Paris Masters quarter-finals.
Marin Cilic had earlier dumped out a struggling Novak Djokovic to pave the way for Murray to supplant the Serb at the top.
But Murray was forced to save seven set points in an extraordinary opening tie-break before clinching a 7-6 (11/9), 7-5 win in just under two hours.
The Briton will meet Milos Raonic in semi-finals knowing that a victory will move him above Djokovic, who has been on top of the world rankings for 122 weeks.
“Before the match there were a few more nerves maybe than there was earlier in the week. But once I got out there, I didn’t feel any different to any other match,” said Murray.
“If it happens this week, great. But if not, I’m not putting any extra pressure on myself this week because I still think I have an opportunity to do it in the future.
“But obviously I’d love to do it tomorrow if I can.”
Neither Murray nor Berdych showed any signs of fragility as the first set went on serve, but the wheels fell off in spectacular fashion for the Czech after he raced 6-1 ahead in the tie-break.
Murray chalked up six straight points to earn a set point of his own, with Berdych then squandering two more before the second seed finally edged ahead. He broke Berdych to start the second set and looked on course to wrap things up, but a lapse at 5-4 saw him require a second chance.
Berdych, who needed to reach the last four to stay in the race for the Tour Finals in London, handed him that opportunity by again losing his serve, with Murray sealing it on his fourth match point.
Feature image source: AFP