4 Jun 2016

Djokovic to meet Murray in Roland Garros final

6:15 am on 4 June 2016

Britain's Andy Murray ended the French Open reign of Stan Wawrinka, downing the defending champion in four sets to reach his first Roland Garros final, where he will face the might of world number one Novak Djokovic.

Andy Murray at Italian Open 2016.

Andy Murray at Italian Open 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Breaking his claycourt jinx against the Swiss, second seed Murray also becomes the first Briton to contest the Roland Garros crown since the 1930s -- a landmark he did not think he would achieve.

"I am extremely proud. I never expected to reach a final here," he said courtside after a 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2 victory that cemented his growing reputation on a surface he once mistrusted.

"I knew today if I wanted to win I would have to play one of my best claycourt matches. I played one of my best matches today."

Murray beat Djokovic in May's Italian Open final, their most recent encounter on clay.

But the Briton is likely to have to up his game further to repeat the performance on Sunday night against a man who looked all but unplayable in crushing Austrian Dominic Thiem 6-2 6-1 6-4 a stone's throw away on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

"I think it was the first time in my career I played a semi-final on (Court Suzanne) Lenglen, it was special," said Djokovic, who had to play away from the main show court after terrible weather wreaked havoc on the tournament's schedule.

"I had to play my best tennis on some points," Djokovic said.

"I did not start this tournament the way I wanted but today I played my best match of the tournament," said Djokovic after calling the ball girls and boys to join him for a two-arm salute to the crowd.

"I have been dreaming all year long of reaching the Roland Garros final."

Thiem was playing his first grand slam semi-final, Djokovic his eighth at Roland Garros and experience proved to be paramount as the Serb perfectly handled the important points.

-Reuters