Live Commentary: Tomas Berdych vs. Andy Murray - as it happened

Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Australian Open semi-final between Tomas Berdych and Andy Murray.

It doesn't seem so long ago that we were kicking things off in Melbourne 10 days but already, we are readying ourselves for the first of the men's semi-finals, and what a contest it should be. Berdych, who is yet to drop a set in this tournament, is looking to reach his second Grand Slam final, against Murray, who has finished runner-up at this event on three occasions.

The players have just walked out onto the Rod Laver Arean so we are around 10 minutes away from the start of the match. I should add that the temperature in Melbourne is currently 20C, which is several degrees cooler than it has been throughout the tournament. There is also a bit of a breeze about, so it will be interesting to see which player adapts to the conditions.

Before we get started, let's take a quick look at the route to the semi-finals for each player. From Berdych's perspective, he has enjoyed the perfect tournament, winning all five of his matches in straight sets. The big-hitting Czech has faced some quality opposition too, with Alejandro Falla, Jurgen Melzer, Victor Troicki, Bernard Tomic and Rafael Nadal all being dispatched.

As for Murray, he was able to warm into the tournament before coming up against Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round. It was probably the most testing draw for the top eight seeds but the 27-year-old overcame the shot-making of the Bulgarian to run out a four-set victor. His victory over Kyrgios was much more routine, but it was the manner in which Murray constructed the points and ultimately neutralised the strengths of the Australian that saw him praised on Tuesday.

Anyway, enough of the buildup. As the Melbourne sun begins to go down, it will be Berdych to serve first, game on!

Berdych starts the match well, swinging out a wide first serve on the first point and forcing the error on the second. Murray is very much on the defensive and after netting a forehand, he finds the ball flying past him as Berdych wraps up a love game with an ace.

Wowzers. There are plenty of nerves from Murray. He's just completely shanked a second serve. He follows that up with a neat one-two behind his first serve before he sends a serve out wide, also out of the reach of the Czech. He opts for the middle with his next serve and it brings the same result for two game points, but after providing Berdych with a tame second serve, the seventh seed is all over it. That could be something that we see on a regular basis. Berdych gets to deuce with a beautiful forehand winner down the line but a miscued forehand and some phenomenal defensive work helps Murray level the score.

The wide serve of Berdych is already proving an effective weapon and it's allowing him to dictate the points. Maybe that was something that Murray's former coach Dani Vallverdu advised his new charge to do against the Scot? Murray gets his first point on the Berdych serve when his opponent nets, but after an extended rally, Berdych holds to 15 with a backhand volley.

What's noticeable from Berdych is his variety of shots and it's flummoxing Murray to some extent. After the opening two points are shared, the Czech powers a backhand towards the corner and it's enough to force the error from Murray. However, Murray replies with a similar shot of his own before a timely first serve gets him to game point. The Scot throws in a second double fault of the match but he comes through with the hold.

It's easy to see why Berdych has defeated Murray in six of their 10 meetings. He's winning a lot of easy points on his serve and he has the measure of the Scot's returns. After coasting to 40-0, Berdych directs a forehand into the corner to secure him the game.

There's no fluency to the Murray forehand and two successive errors hand 0-30 to Berdych. He's looks on course to fall down three break points but he makes up a huge amount of ground to flick a backhand winner cross-court. A flat ace out wide helps Murray get to 30-30 before Berdych misses by small margins with a forehand. Again, Murray is drawn into a dog-fight to hold onto his serve, but after two game points go begging, he takes the third when a backhand down the line from Berdych goes wide.

Berdych starts the game well, but he makes an unforced error when attempting to put away a routine forehand. He is overpowering Murray though, and he edges to 30-15 with an uncompromising smash. A confident one-two behind his serve bring up two game points, before Murray nets a return. This is extremely impressive from the Czech.

BREAK! A fourth ace for Murray gets him up 15-0 but Berdych's forehand is too much for the Brit to handle and he soon falls 15-30 behind. Murray's second serve is nowhere near up to scratch right now and it's two break points for the Czech when he hits a backhand return winner. The following point is a longer duel, but Berdych prevails when he unloads cross-court on his backhand and Murray nets. He will now serve for the opening set.

BREAK! Murray is encouraged when he scores with a return and although Berdych takes the next point, the Czech nets to give Murray 15-30. It's a minor chance but he'll take it. That chance improves when a flat forehand from Murray brings the error from Berdych and it's two break-back points. Murray wastes an opportunity on the first, blazing a backhand long on the baseline, but he breaks through on the second with some amazing defence! We are back on serve.

Three mistakes occur at the start of the 10th game - two from Berdych, one from Murray - but that becomes two errors wach when Murray nets a backhand. 30-30, big point coming up. Berdych has a look at a second serve but he can only find the net, which he finds when in a position to get to deuce. Solid hold from Murray.

Berdych is on the back foot right now but he plucks a remarkable volley out of nowhere to take the first point. However, he then concedes his first double fault, but redeems himself with a powerful one-two off his first serve. Murray spends much of the next point well inside the court and his pressure finally pays off for 30-30, but Berdych finds the big first serve for 40-30. However, Murray is mixing his shots up nicely and a tremendous backhand slice creates a break point, but he misses out with a cross-court forehand. That was makeable. After an issue with the tennis balls, Berdych powers down a huge delivery down the 'T' but we are back to deuce after an unforced error. Murray gets a look at a second break point but he nets off the back foot. Again, that was makeable. Berdych eventually survives and that was a big game to win.

Murray wastes little time in advancing into a 30-0 advantage, but Berdych comes up with a huge cross-court backhand to halve the deficit. Murray replies with a one-two, but he dumps a forehand into the net to give Berdych a sniff at 40-30. That becomes more of a sniff after another forehand mistake and we are at deuce. Nervous times for the Scot. Berdych has a clear look at a drop shot but he hooks a forehand long, although he remains in the game with more aggressive work from inside the court. Murray comes through with the hold but he had to work hard for it, much like Berdych. On to a tie-break we go.

Some superb play from Murray is completed with a backhand volley for the early mini-break but he immediately gives it up after some aggressive hitting from Berdych. Murray replies with a sharp volley at the net, before finding great length to force the Czech to net on the next point. Berdych finds his second ace of the match to reduce the deficit, and we go to the change of ends level after a broken string makes Murray go long.

Berdych takes the lead and the mini-break with a strong forehand down the line, but the seventh seed frames a second serve to see the score return to 4-4. Berdych is all over the next point, with a second smash getting the job done, but Murray serves out wide to get to 5-5. This is a HUGE point. Berdych looks in control but he nets to hand Murray a set point, but it's a superb reply from Berdych, who steps in to put away a volley.

SET! Wow. Berdych fires an ace down the 'T' to bring up a set point of his own, and he takes it when Murray lashes a forehand into the net. That could be huge. That set lasted 77 minutes.

When the two players returned to their seat, it appeared as though Berdych said something, and Murray has told the umpire. Schoolboy stuff? Mental stuff? Either way, it's not particularly required. Murray responds well though with a love hold, which included a blistering cross-court winner that got a reaction from the crowd.

BREAK! Berdych coasts into a 30-0 lead but Murray gets his opponent on the run with another of his trademark lobs. Berdych then goes wide with a forehand to give Murray encouragement before Murray connects with a flat backhand for break point. A Berdych shot is called out, and although he challenges, hawk-eye confirms that it went long. Good response from Murray.

Berdych's level has dropped a little now and it's up to Murray to capitalise. He does so in efficient fashion, blasting his way to a love hold. That's eight points in a row for the Scot.

BREAK! Murray takes the first point after a backhand slice makes Berdych slip and he's down again on the next! Murray has 0-30, but Berdych successfully challenges an out-call to register an ace, and a net cord helps Berdych get back to 30-30. However, it's break point to Murray after a well-directed backhand makes Berdych volley into the net, and it's taken when Berdych can't handle a cross-court backhand.

Berdych is doing a lot of running but it pays off on the first point as Murray hits a weak backhand into the net, but the Scot plays a couple of smart points to gain the lead. Berdych gets back to 30-30 but a drive volley from Murray brings up game point, which he takes with his sixth ace.

SET! Berdych will be keen to serve first in the third, but when Murray opens up a 0-30 lead, it doesn't look on the cards. However, Murray twice misses by fine margins to allow the Czech back to 30-30, before an aggressively-minded Murray blasts into the net. The sixth seed fights back to set point though, and Murray secures the bagel when Berdych sends a forehand just long. In comparison to the opener, that set flew by!

That's the first set that Berdych has lost in this tournament.

After both players leave the court for a bathroom break, Berdych returns much more composed, and he comes out on top after one of the longest rallies of the match. He makes an error on the next, but he looks strong here, and he strikes his way to 15-30. Murray replies with a flat first serve out wide, before Berdych fires a backhand just long. That was a chance. Murray retains his momentum with a beautiful point that is ended with a drop volley into the open court. Berdych will feel slightly better though. He made some headway in that game.

Berdych needs to hold here and he's well on his way when Murray misses with a backhand down the line to hand him 30-0. A fine forehand return halves the deficit, but Murray misses with a forehand to give Berdych the chance to stop the rot. At 40-30, Murray has a look at a second serve but he disappointingly finds the net. Poor shot. Berdych wins his first game in eight.

The pair engage in a ferocious rally that ends with Berdych slicing wide before Murray swerves an 103mph ace past the racquet of the Czech. Berdych halves the deficit, but again, Murray finds the line with an ace down the middle. Berdych successfully challenges an out-call but Murray remains composed and drills a forehand down the line to edge back in front.

Berdych comfortably takes the first two points, which is exactly what he needed, before he puts away a volley at the net. A love hold is completed with a one-two behind his first serve and Murray has something to think about again.

Berdych should be 0-15 ahead but he misses out and Murray capitalises to edge 30-0 ahead with a solid shot into the corner. Again, Berdych should win the point but he sends a routine backhand into the tramlines. It's Murray's turn to miss on the next point, but he fires back to take the game.

BREAK! It's an impressive start to the game from Berdych, who follows a winner with an effective second serve. A comfortable one-two brings up three game points but he stops his streak of points on serve with a double fault. A second successive double fault follows, and all of a sudden, it's 40-30. He then sends a forehand wide of the line and Murray has deuce, and that becomes break point when Murray makes a second-serve return. It's such a gutsy reply from Berdych though, who catches the line with a forehand. The confidence is back with the Czech and but Murray brings up another break point with a forehand winner. The next point is enthralling, but Murray hits a stunning forehand winner down the line and is reaction is telling. He's in full-on street-fighter mode.

Murray is pumped here and he swings out a first serve to get to 30-0. He's making Berdych cover so much ground and a forehand out wide secures three game points. A big first serve seals the love hold.

Two big first serves down the middle see Berdych ease into a 40-0 lead, but like in the last game, Berdych concedes a double fault. Berdych takes the game though after Murray nets a drop shot. Big game coming up.

SET! Murray starts well with a swinging serve out wide, but he misses an opportunity for 30-0 when hitting a forehand wide. Turning point? Not so far. The next point is an ace - his eighth of the match - before Berdych sends the next return long. It's two set points for Murray, but Berdych survives the first with a well-constructed point. He can't save the second though - a huge ace out wide earns him a 2-1 advantage.

Berdych needed a comfortable hold at the start of the fourth and he's got one. Murray reduces the deficit but a weak backhand into the net sees the Czech go ahead.

Murray ghosts in to put away a volley on the opening point, but he dumps a forehand into the net for 15-15. He can't afford to drop his level here. He replies with a one-two behind his first serve before a 10th ace earns two game points. An 11th - this time out wide - seals a hold to 15.

Murray needs to keep Berdych working for his points, something he doesn't do during the first two points. Berdych gets to 40-0 for the fourth successive game with a good first serve, but Murray stays in there with a return winner. It's the Czech's game though when he powers a flat first serve towards Murray's backhand.

Berdych has definitely improved in this set and he prevails after a lengthy baseline exchange for 0-15. Murray responds with a stunning forehand winner, but he's fortunate to survive when Berdych misses with a makeable return. A 12th ace takes Murray to two game points before he's perfectly accurate with a backhand down the line.

Murray constructs a fantastic point to go 0-15 ahead, but Berdych finds one of his biggest serves of the match to level things up. An excellent second serve sets up the easy forehand winner for Berdych, but Murray replies with a smart forehand down the line. It's 30-30, but Berdych ties Murray up with a second serve to the body before sealing the game with a drive volley. Important hold there.

A well-executed slice forces a mistake out of Berdych on the first point, before another Murray ace creates 30-0. A Berdych forehand is far too good though as he halves the deficit, and a solid return makes Murray go long. It's 30-30, which soon becomes break point to Berdych after another forehand error from Murray. It's his first since the opening set, but Murray comes up with a sensational cross-court forehand to get to deuce. Murray gets a time-violation warning and it disturbs him as he hits a backhand into the net. Second break point to Berdych, but it's saved when he goes long with a return. It's Murray who is having to dig deep here, and he saves the game when Berdych goes long. That could be huge...potentially.

We are through three hours in this captivating contest. This could still go either way.

Murray gets a look at a second serve at 0-15 but he can only find the net. He looks out of the next point but he fights back to drill a stunning forehand winner into the corner. It's a terrific reply from Berdych though, who finds the line with a first serve before smashing his way to game point. Murray gets his racquet on another smash but Berdych hangs tough to register an impressive hold.

A hooked forehand from Berdych goes wide to give Murray the first point, but he connects with a second-serve return to get to 15-15. He looks zoned in here, but he makes an error off a third successive Murray second serve. He makes no mistake on the next as he crushes a forehand return winner and the Scot needs to find a first serve. He misses for a fifth successive time but Berdych fails to capitalise. Murray finally finds a first serve and it's enough to make Berdych go long.

Berdych should go 15-0 ahead but he misses a routine forehand, but a successful challenge sees him record an ace for 15-15. Unlike Murray, he is finally first serves on a regular basis, but at 30-15, Murray reads one to nail the return. It's 30-30, but Berdych comes through with a forehand winner and when he follows that up with a big first serve out wide, he forces Murray to serve to try to stay in this fourth set.

Murray takes plenty of his first serve to ensure that it goes in and Berdych makes the unforced error. Murray made several superb lobs against Nick Kyrgios the other night, but none were as good as the defensive one that helps him to 30-0. Amazing accuracy. A 14th ace brings up 40-0, but he nets a backhand from the baseline to keep Berdych interested. That interest increases when Murray nets again, and things are getting nervy. A second serve only just drops in but he is able to take control of the point and Berdych goes long.

BREAK! Berdych opens with a forehand error and he's fortunate to avoid falling 0-30 behind after framing a smash. However, Murray has 15-30 after a net-cord helps his return, before a wild double fault gives Murray two break points. Berdych gets into next rally but he eventually goes long to hand Murray the break!

MATCH! A superb one-two off his first serve gets Murray off to the perfect start, before he takes some speed off his first serve down the middle to draw the error from Berdych. A third huge serve sets up the point that sees him to three match points. Can he make his first Grand Slam final since winning Wimbledon? You bet he can! With an ace!

Despite losing the first set, Andy Murray reaches his fourth Australian Open final. Let's hear what he has to say!

After talking about the match, Murray has this to say about coach Amelie Mauresmo, who he linked up with last summer.

"A lot of people criticised me for choosing her, and I think that we had shown so far this week that women can be good coaches too. Madison Keys has reached the semis this week and she is coached by Lindsay Davenport, and I see no reason why tennis can't move forward like this in the future. I'm very thankful for Amelie for doing it, it was a brave choice for her to do it, and hopefully I can repay her in a few days."

On that note, we are ending our coverage of this match, but we hope to catch you again at the same time tomorrow when Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka go toe-to-toe. That's surely going to be a classic, isn't it? Goodbye for now.