Murry overcomes late jitters to reach last four in Dubai

Andy Murray snapped a three-match losing streak against Tomas Berdych to progress into the semi-finals of the Dubai Championships for the first time.

The British number one squandered six match points before eventually closing out a hard-fought 6-3 7-5 victory over his Czech rival.

Murray will now await the winner of the all-Serbian quarter-final between Novak Djokovic and Janko Tipsarevic in the last four.

Murray went into the quarter-final against Berdych playing not only one of the most in-form players at the event, but also a man he has not defeated since 2005.

But the Scot, clearly keen to end his poor record against the world No.7, signalled his intent immediately by reeling off the opening seven points before breaking serve.

That solitary break proved the difference in an opening set which saw Murray save all four break points faced, as well as boasting a first serve per centage of 66.

The second set was a topsy-turvy affair and included no less than five breaks of serve.

Just as he did in the opening set, Murray struck the first blow, seizing on another break-point opportunity at the start when a forehand proved too hot for his opponent.

But this time the third seed’s advantage was short-lived as more Berdych pressure drew a double-fault out of Murray to level the score at 2-2.

Murray was soon back in front, taking advantage of a sloppy game from the fifth seed to move ahead again immediately, but then showed his frustration after an error-strewn game made it three breaks in a row.

Murray appeared to be struggling with pain in his right knee, but he found himself serving for the match after yet another break in the 11th game.

Incredible scrambling from the world number four had pushed Berdych into another error, but after moving to 40-0 three poor backhands saw three match points go begging.

He then had to save a break point, with Berdych furious when Murray was awarded the point after a successful HawkEye challenge, before finally wrapping up victory on his seventh chance.