ANDY MURRAY says his desire to achieve new goals is motivating him to reach a first French Open final.
The world number two overcame Richard Gasquet in four sets yesterday to set up a semi-final date with defending champion Stan Wawrinka.
Murray's performances on clay have dramatically improved recently and after reaching nine Grand Slam finals during his career, he revealed that he is still driven by wanting new achievements.
"At this stage of my career, to do things that I have never done before is nice," he said.
"That's one of the things that motivates me and drives me. That's why my results on clay over the last couple of years have been really special to me because I never expected that really.
"So if I was able to make the final here it would be big for me. But I'm here to try and win the tournament, not make the final. That's my goal for the next few days."
The Scot will have to get past the Swiss Wawrinka first, a man who marked his 12th Roland Garros win in a row yesterday with a straight-sets win against Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Murray leads their head-to-head 8-7 but has lost the last three and hasn't taken a set off Wawrinka since 2012.
He's also been beaten in straight sets every time that they've faced off on clay, although the last of those defeats was three years ago.
"Obviously the last two years here (Wawrinka) has played great tennis," said Murray.
"After he got through the tough first round here against (Lukas) Rosol he's played very well.
"He's been at the top of the game now for a number of years and is still improving. He's been a little bit inconsistent this year, but he won the tournament last week (in Geneva) and has been playing better with each match here.
"It will be obviously very tough. He plays well on that court, so I'll have to play great tennis to beat him."
Meanwhile, Wawrinka denied the suggestion that he's at the same level as the 'big four', having won the same number of Grand Slam titles as Murray.
"I think he is well ahead of me," said the 31-year-old.
"Now that I've won a second Grand Slam people say I'm closer to him because I have won two and he's won two as well.
"But if you were to compare our two careers, he's well ahead of me given all the titles, the finals, number two in the world, and he has so many Masters 1000 (titles), as well.
"Therefore, as I keep on repeating, he's in the big four. There is a reason for this. Maybe he has fewer titles than the other big three, but he's always been with them during the semis, the finals. His career is very, very impressive."
"I think (last year's win) gives me more confidence, for sure, and less pressure, because I won it. So I have a different mentality this year. I'm feeling way better.
"(The quarter-final) was a really good match. I played some really good tennis. I was really focused out there. I am moving well.
"I'm really happy with what I'm doing so far and being in the semi-final again, it's something really good for me."
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