Sixth seed Andy Murray begins his US Open campaign with a straightforward win against Argentine qualifier Sergio Roitman
But Murray makes hard work of his second round match against France's Michael Llodra before winning 6-4 1-6 7-5 7-6 (9-7)
The Scot also endures a torrid time against Austria's Jurgen Melzer, losing the first two sets of their third-round encounter
Murray is two points away from defeat by the world number 48 but digs deep to win a third set tie-break and keep his hopes alive
Melzer tires and Murray demonstrates his supreme fitness to eventually claim a 6-7 (5-7) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 6-3 victory
After surviving that scare, Murray is in imperious form against Stanislas Wawrinka in round four, racing to a 6-1 6-3 6-3 victory
He later reveals he was inspired by the presence of 'Entourage' star Adrian Grenier in the stands - "It's my favourite TV show," he says
Murray is now in the zone as he faces Juan Martin del Potro, who he accused of insulting his mother at a Masters Series match in May
But Murray shows there are no hard feelings after he triumphs 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-1) 4-6 7-5 to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final
Murray now has Rafael Nadal in his sights, and he storms into a two-set lead against the world number one, who he has yet to beat
However, some very British weather comes to Nadal's rescue and their 'Super Saturday' match has to resume on Sunday
Murray's exploits are now attracting a sizeable celebrity following, including golf star Greg Norman and his wife, tennis great Chris Evert
Oscar winner Charlize Theron and her Irish actor boyfriend Stuart Townsend are also at Flushing Meadows for Murray v Nadal
American three-time Grand Slam winner Jennifer Capriati (left) watches the semi-final match-up with model Christie Brinkley
Hollywood star Glenn Close and Australian actress Rose Byrne join the 23,000 capacity crowd packed into the Arthur Ashe Stadium
American actor and comedian Will Ferrell is also enthralled by the drama as Nadal fights back to take the third set
The hard-hitting Nadal is determined to add a first US Open title to his Wimbledon and French Open triumphs in 2008
But Murray is out to make history of his own by becoming the first British man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Fred Perry in 1936
He wins the fourth set to seal a 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-4 victory to the delight of his mother Judy Murray and girlfriend Kim Sears
Having beaten Nadal, 12-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, chasing a fifth straight US Open crown, awaits Murray in the final
But Murray has to settle for the runners-up trophy as a rampant Federer claims his fifth US Open title in a row in less than two hours
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