Andy Murray knows he will have to be at his best again if he is to defeat Stan Wawrinka and reach the French Open final for the second consecutive year.
The pair also clashed in the last four a year ago, when Murray gave probably his best ever performance on clay to win in four sets before going on to lose to Novak Djokovic.
From unpromising beginnings, Murray has played his way into form and is through to a 21st grand slam semi-final.
"I came in playing garbage." @andy_murray & @stanwawrinka talk defying the odds for their @rolandgarros SF. Read: https://t.co/g3EulIl4VY pic.twitter.com/GDL9qs4kra
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) June 8, 2017
While the world number one has dropped three sets, including the opener to Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, Wawrinka has romped through the draw.
The 2015 champion lost only seven games against in-form Marin Cilic in the last eight and has once again reserved his best for the biggest tournaments.
Murray said: “When we played last year, it was a similar situation coming in. I think Stan had played really well.
The last 4️⃣ remaining at #RG17. See you Friday! ????
????????Wawrinka vs ????????Murray
????????Nadal vs ????????Thiem
Preview: https://t.co/XC3ZxMOfoj pic.twitter.com/og8mx4zMK6— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) June 8, 2017
“I had struggled in some of my matches during the event last year, but I played one of my best clay-court matches that day to get the win. I need to do the same again.
“He’s obviously played extremely well the last few years at the French, and he’s confident. It’s going to be very tough.
“But I can learn some things from last year. I’m sure he will, as well, and will try to change some things. It should be an interesting match.”
???? Come on! @andy_murray reaches a 4th consecutive #FrenchOpen semi-final after beating #Nishikori 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-1 #BackTheBrits ???????? pic.twitter.com/EJX931d9Hz
— British Tennis (@BritishTennis) June 7, 2017
After winning the tournament two years ago, Wawrinka fancied his chances of a repeat 12 months ago only to run into Murray at his most tactically and technically astute.
Wawrinka certainly gave the impression in Wednesday’s press conference that he does not expect the same to happen again.
The 32-year-old, the oldest semi-finalist here since Jimmy Connors in 1985, believes Murray’s shaky form prior to arriving in Paris can make this year a different story.
Wawrinka said: “I think he’s probably a bit less confident. He’s a bit more hesitant. Hopefully I can take advantage of that and find solutions to beat him.
Entering semis with a little fall ????????????????♂️????????????????????????????♂️????????????????????????????????????????????????????☀️????????????????!????C.Dubreuil /FFT pic.twitter.com/l7KqUp0FAC
— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) June 8, 2017
“When you have a lot of wins behind you and confidence with your game, you can go for more. That’s what he did last year, for sure.
“I expect him to try to do the same because that’s always how he is trying to play against me, to be aggressive.
“But I think I will answer with my game. I think I’m playing better than last year, also. It can be only a big challenge and hopefully a good match.”
The second semi-final pits nine-time champion Rafael Nadal against Dominic Thiem, fresh from his upset of defending champion Novak Djokovic.
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