MELBOURNE — Andy Murray's brilliant returning was always going to be a handful for Milos Raonic but it was the quality of the Briton's serve that proved decisive in the world number two's advance to a fifth Australian Open final on Friday.
Murray will meet his Melbourne Park nemesis Novak Djokovic for a fourth time in the title-decider, having fended off an injury-hampered Raonic 4-6 7-5 6-7(4) 6-4 6-2 at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena.
The 13th-seeded Canadian has one of the biggest serves on tour but Murray more than held up his end, if not matching the power of Raonic's rockets or his tally of aces.