Published on 12:00 AM, June 06, 2014

Andy plots Rafa fall

Andy plots Rafa fall

Novak to face Ernests in 2nd semi

Andy Murray will on Friday attempt to become the first British man in 77 years to reach the French Open final but eight-time champion Rafael Nadal is standing in his way.
Bunny Austin was the last Briton to get to the men's championship match in 1937 while Fred Perry was the country's last winner in Paris two years earlier.
But Murray is making a habit out of shredding the history books -- his Wimbledon triumph last year ended Britain's 77-year wait for a men's title winner.
The 27-year-old lost to Nadal at the same stage in Paris in 2011 without winning a set.
In fact, Murray, who has 5-14 career record against Nadal, has lost all of his five meetings on clay with the Spaniard.
Despite the facts and figures stacking up against him, Murray believes he has the mental and physical weapons to shatter the Nadal legend.
Murray defeated the last French hope Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-0 to reach semifinals on Wednesday.
Nadal, in turn, has eight titles in Paris, has won 64 matches against just one defeat and is attempting to become the first man to win five Roland Garros crowns in succession.
The world number one recovered from dropping his first set of the tournament to record a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-1 win and set-up a clash with British Wimbledon champion Andy Murray for a place in Sunday's title match.
Friday's second semifinal sees world number two Novak Djokovic, who needs a French Open title to become just the eighth man to complete the career Grand Slam, tackle outspoken Latvian Ernests Gulbis who will be playing in his first semifinal at a major. Djokovic is playing in his fourth successive French Open semifinal having been runner-up to Nadal in 2012.