It's said that when the stars align, the near impossible can occur.

Towards the end of the first set tonight at Melbourne Park, with Andy Murray's semi-final opponent Tomas Berdych looking very much the likely lad, one time songster and alleged liposuction proponent, Kenny Rogers made his tentative way into the arena.

Looking suspiciously fresh-faced if a little unsteady on his feet, Kenny is undeniably a star even though with the possible exception of the fabulous 'Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town', his musical oeuvre can generally be categorised under the subheading: duff.

Nonetheless, play was held up for a minute or two whilst the old boy found his seat, an incident which whether by accident or design, coincided with Andy Murray suddenly hitting his straps.

Up until that point, Berdych, an absolute dead ringer for the late Hollywood actor George Peppard, he of The A-Team fame, looked to have the big Scot's measure.

However when the two stars - Rogers and Peppard - unexpectedly aligned, everything changed.

Admittedly, it might have had more to do with tennis than astral happenstance. And there was a bit of personal history at play here too. Berdych's coach used to work for Andy and there was a suggestion before the game that this could be an advantage to the big Czech, giving him a measure of inside knowledge.

It certainly looked that way early doors, with Berdych second guessing Murray's intentions and although it was tight, the first set went to the Czech in a tie-breaker.

As he celebrated and the players passed each other at the changeover, Berdych then mouthed an aside to the Scot. No one courtside could hear exactly what was said, but I think it's safe to assume it was along the lines of 'Up yours Big Man'.

Or words to that effect.

And what an effect it had.

Murray as we know, doesn't mind a bit of needle, in fact, he positively thrives on it. He's Scottish, after all.

Berdych on the other hand, doesn't seem to fancy it all. Needle, it seems, just isn't his game and if he hadn't been so exhausted from finding his seat I'm sure Kenny Rogers could have been tempted to break into a quick chorus of 'Coward of the County'.

As it was Andy delivered Berdych the dreaded bagel in the second set and looked well in command thereafter.

I don't know about the stars aligning, but it has to be said that a few things have gone Murray's way this week.

In addition to both Federer and Nadal falling by the wayside - both were on Andy's side of the draw and hold good win ratios over the Scot - the weather has also done peely-wally Murray a favour.

Untypically, it's been not especially warm in Melbourne this year, not cold exactly, but certainly a long way from the normal 40 degree temperatures January usually provides.

Think a scorching Scottish summer's day and you wouldn't be far off the mark, complete with temperamental winds and periods of sullen cloud.

Andy, like me, would have felt right at home.

As he closed out the game, Murray started to play like we all know he can but doesn't always do.

Rasping forehand winners and a reliable unreturnable first serve ensured a four set win and a two day rest before the final where he'll take on either the perennially impressive Novak Djokovic or defending champion Stan Wawrinka.

Personally I'd prefer Wawrinka, given that Novak has always seemed to have Andy in his pocket in the past but having said that, it's a final and, as all Partick Thistle fans know, anything can happen in a final.

With any luck Kenny Rogers will make an appearance on Sunday although on the basis of tonight's slightly ponderous, kind of doddery effort he might be advised to start making the journey right about now.

I'd put money on Murray on Sunday.

I wonder if old Kenny can still remember all the words to The Gambler?