Andy Murray survives Milos Raonic epic to make final

The Scot showed all of his famed spirit as he somehow prevailed 5-7 7-6 7-6, coming through an incredible deciding set tie-break 11-9 to secure a career-best 23-match winning streak.

It was hard on Raonic who had deservedly taken the opening set before breaking back on each occasion as Murray twice served for the contest. The Canadian saved three match points but eventually went down to an eighth straight defeat to the Brit in an encounter that broke the record as the longest in the tournament's history at three hours and 38 minutes.

Murray now faces the prospect of a potential winner takes all encounter against five-time champion Novak Djokovic on Sunday, with both the title and the end-of-year No.1 spot on the line.

Raonic had his own target heading into this tussle and knew a win would secure the world number three spot for the first time in his career. The Canadian had lost finals to Murray at Queens and Wimbledon earlier this year, and was eager not to lose a third high-profile encounter in London.

He started with real intent and grew as the first set wore on, posing all of the question and rarely looking troubled on serve. Murray fought valiantly to keep him at bay, saving break points in the fifth and ninth games before finally handing Raonic the breakthrough in the 11th with a trio of forehand errors and a double fault. The Canadian showed a few nerves serving it out but got it done with a big first serve on the last of three set points.

Murray had a chance to get a foothold in the match but couldn't break in the second game of the second set, despite some woeful serving from Raonic. The number four seed then punished his opponent by securing a break in the very next game as Murray cracked a tired forehand into the net after fighting hard to make deuce.

Everyone in the Arena, including Raonic, must have thought that was a killer blow but Murray unleashed those trademark fighting qualities to break back to love and follow up with a rare, simple hold.

The world number one had chances to extend his purple patch to move 4-2 ahead but couldn't convert on two break points, missing a pass down the line that he would normally dispatch with ease.

Both players had openings at the business end of the set, but it went to a nervy tie break where Murray came through 7-5. An improvised drop volley at his feet as well as an angled volley to tee up the set point off Raonic's serve were the crucial moments.

The momentum was with Murray but it was Raonic who should have made a breakthrough in the second game when his opponent showed that trademark grit to fend off the number four seed's eighth and ninth break points of the match.

It was a gruelling battle and Murray just about clung on at times before springing forward and breaking to love to lead 5-4. The Scot then served for the match but Raonic broke back immediately with a crunching overhead smash as a more consistent third set exploded with drama.

Murray earned the chance to serve it out for a second time but the number four seed hit back in an astonishing run of four consecutive breaks to take it to a tie-break decider.

It looked like Murray had the edge at 5-3 but the rollercoaster continued as Raonic saved three match points and earned one of his own before the world number one finally saw off the brave Canadian.