Andy Murray, of Britain, returns a shot to Rafael Nadal, of Spain, during their semi-final match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York yesterday. Murray won 6-2, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4. - AP

NEW YORK (AP):

Andy Murray finished a stunning, rain-interrupted victory over Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-4 at the US Open yesterday to reach his first Grand Slam final.

Top-ranked Nadal's 19-match winning streak at Grand Slams also came to an end in the semi-finals.

Trying to become the first British man to win a Grand Slam since Fred Perry at the 1936 US Open, Murray will face four-time defending champion Roger Federer in the final today.

The sixth-seeded Murray won the first two sets against Nadal and was down a break at 3-2 in the third when play was suspended on Saturday because of Tropical Storm Hanna.

"Tough to sleep," Murray said.

As should surprise no one, the generally indefatigable Nadal made a stand yesterday, taking the third set and going ahead 3-1 in the fourth. But Murray took five of the last six games, breaking Nadal twice and ending the Spaniard's bid to make his first final at the US Open.

Murray never before made it past the quarter-finals at a major and never had defeated Nadal in five previous tries. Nadal, meanwhile, won 54 of his preceding 56 matches and took the titles at the French Open, Wimbledon and Beijing Olympics.

But Murray, the 2004 US Open junior champion, was up to the task this time.

Volley winner

He won a 22-stroke point with a volley winner to get to match point, leaving Nadal bending over behind the baseline, chest heaving. Then Murray completed the service break to end the match, easily chasing down Nadal's drop shot and smacking a winner.

Murray immediately turned to his private box, closed his eyes and leaned backward. With the crowd cheering, he threw his two wristbands and white baseball cap into the stands.

During an on-court interview afterward, Murray described himself as "very relieved" to have won and to have reached the title match at his "favourite tournament" - which might draw some winces in the land of Wimbledon.

He explained, though, that he was thrilled to have seen his favourite comedic actor, Will Ferrell, in the stands yesterday, and was also excited to have spotted members of the cast of the TV show Entourage at the tournament.

"That's awesome," the 21-year-old Murray said. "You don't get that back home."

Others might be star-struck staring across the net at Federer, who will be attempting to win his 13th Grand Slam title while Murray chases his first.

Greatest player ever

But get this: Murray owns a 2-1 career mark against Federer.

"He's probably the greatest player ever, so to get the chance to play against him in a Slam final is an honour," Murray said. "But I've played well against him in the past and hopefully ... I'll do that again tomorrow."

Nadal was hoping to become only the fourth man in the 40-year Open era to win three consecutive Grand Slam titles, joining Rod Laver, Pete Sampras and Federer. But Nadal has never had as much success on the hard courts of the US Open as on the clay of Roland Garros or the grass of the All England Club.

He beat Federer in the finals at both of those arenas this year and surpassed him atop the rankings last month.

On Saturday and yesterday, though, Murray exhibited precisely the sort of winner-evaporating defence that Nadal usually employs to wear down opponents.

Andy Murray (left) of Britain chats with Spain's Rafael Nadal after defeating him in four sets in their semi-final match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York yesterday. - AP