Right at the start of the match against Roger Federer in the semifinals of the Australian Open, there was a resolve in Andy Murray, which seemed to say: I will not lose this match.
Murray produced some outstanding tennis, at times leaving arguably the greatest ever player to play the game spellbound, and with little answer.
The Brit, despite a few hiccups, prevailed in five thrilling sets 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-2 against his illustrious opponent, finally banishing all the Grand Slam heartache that he had suffered at the hands of the Swiss master.
"It's always tough against him, especially in the Slam, when he plays his best tennis," Murray said in an on-court interview.
"I think the big match experience I have had helps, especially the win at the Olympics against Roger, but it certainly doesn't make it any easier."
Murray, who will meet defending champion Novak Djokovic in the final, began stronger, looking the hungrier of the two players, taking the first set with a single break.
However, Federer has not won 17 Majors for nothing, and despite not being at his best, the 31-year-old fought his way through some tough spots before forcing a tiebreaker in the second.
Federer is one of the most efficient players when it comes to the breaker, and, egged on by a crowd that wanted to see the match go to its full extent, the great man came through.
The third set was similar to the first, with Murray again looking like the stronger player, and needing just that single break to take control of the match.
With the momentum now swinging the Brit's way, it looked like Murray would go for the kill; but it was Federer who broke his opponent's serve in the fourth game. The world number two earned three break points, converting the third to take a 3-1 lead.
However, just when it looked like the match was going to be levelled at 2-2, Murray, who had 62 winners to Federer's 43, broke his opponent to Love in the eleventh game.
With the match now in his grasp, all the Scot needed to do was hold his serve, but there was some more drama to come.
At 30-40 in the final game, with Federer way out of position, Murray inexplicably hit a forehand wide with the open court at his mercy, and with it giving Federer a break and allowing the set to go to a tiebreaker.
Federer immediately jumped into a quick 2-0 lead, grabbing a mini-break with a nice return on Murray's serve. The world number three got the mini-break back soon after, but the Swiss great got back in front, leading 4-2 at the change of ends.
Federer then dominated the rest of the breaker, ringing in three straight points to take it 7-2 and the set 7-6, forcing a decider.
Murray, seemingly not bothered by his capitulation in the fourth set, stormed ahead 3-0 in the final set, breaking Federer's serve in the second game.
Murray, now 5-2, ahead, earned two break points on Federer's serve, converting the second and with it the match, with Federer slamming a forehand long, much to the relief of the Brit and the disbelief of the Melbourne crowd.
Federer, who made 60 unforced errors in all against Murray's 47, always seemed to be fighting back in the match against the better player on the day, and despite showing moments of brilliance in the final set, like only he can, it just proved one time too many for the great man.
