Semi-Final: Murray v Raonic - Part 2 Tennis: World Tour Finals

At this point we welcome viewers on BBC One to this genetic semifinal in

the ATP world time -- World Tour Finals. Andy Murray is digging deep

against the man mountain from Canada, Milos Raonic. It is a repeat

of the Wimbledon final. Andy is desperate to hold onto his world

number one ranking it is two games to one in Raonic's favour. If you

are on BBC Two and want to continue watching the tennis, switch over to

BBC One. COMMENTATOR: Andy Murray is steeped

in this third set. 1-2 down against Raonic.

CROWD: Come on, Andy! COMMENTATOR: 22 match winning streak

stretching other two months up to the Davis Cup loss to Juan Martin

Del Potro. He is now at the very top of the world rankings.

APPLAUSE As Sue Barker was saying, a repeat

of the Wimbledon final won by Andy Murray in three straight sets,

including two tie-breaks. And repeat of the Queen 's final

which Murray won after being a set and a break of serve down, as he was

here. Just what the doctor ordered at this

moment. Solid service came from Murray.

After two hours and 41 minutes, quite keen to keep an eye on

Raonic's movement. He has done such a good job, held his own baseline

exchanges when you thought Murray would be clear favourite.

People still heading back into this cavernous O2 Arena. The trouble is

it is a quick changeover after one game, they do not sit down, people

can get back in after taking a break at the end of the set only after

three games. Just talking about the crowds coming

in. This was interesting, going for a drop shot quite early in the

rally. Murray going for the notebook down the line, trying to bluff

Raonic into thinking it was a cross-court poke.

Time and again Raonic has shown he is not just about a big serve, his

footwork has been impressive. And his ball striking clean.

Another efficient service game for Raonic but he doesn't want to let

Andy Murray get back to deuce. It has happened a couple of times in

the second set. Frustration coming out, he let

Murray have a look at that game, but safely put away. He's very

soft-spoken, Raonic. Physically, very tall, you consider muscles, the

legs, he looks like he should be ferocious, but he is a very gentle

bloke. He has done it proud. Still some way

to go. Grand Slam finalist tissue, semifinalist at Australian Open, as

well. He could end the year world number three, very consistent.

Sometimes when players make a big breakthrough, the next year is hard

to back it up, there is the pressure and expectation from within and also

the opposition start to work out your game, strengths and weaknesses,

but he has got the firepower to dominate virtually everyone with his

game. When he first came out on tour he was very big news because when

you have a serve that can reach around 140, 145, and his coaches say

it can go over 150, that is a weapon. The dancing footwork to the

forehand, covering the backhand side, Basti improved, as well, so

that is the opponent Murray is trying to deal with today -- vastly

improved. He wins 99% of his service games. That gives you a great

platform for the rest of your game, and it doesn't put such stress on

your return game because you are confident about holding your own

server and it frees you up to be aggressive. John Eisner has the most

dominant serve, but it is where it fits into the rest of your game is

where it really counts. -- John Isner.

30-0 back to 30-30, and he needed that good first serve and the good

forehand into the open court. John Smith who captained Andy Murray

to that famous Davis Cup triumph in 2015, but losing out to Argentina

this year in Birmingham. Their next match is against Canada in Ottawa in

February after the Australian Open and these two could face each other

again if they are both fit and playing.

For leaving behind your opponent. Making them change direction as well

is keeping a good length, that is really following the rules. That was

the question asked and that was the answer -- volleying behind your

opponent. What you know about volleying? Well, lots. LAUGHTER

Poor concentration therefrom Raonic, we saw in the previous point how

capable he is of following game, and he is capable technique but he

switched off there. -- he has capable technique.

Yes, he's picked him off this time to keep it at 30-30. And to win a

point against the Raonic first serve is appointed against the head. And

it is a boost. -- is a point against the head. He changed it up and drove

it down the line. Well, that was a second serve.

Goodness gracious. Into the body. Deep. This is a lovely match.

Exhaustion is playing its part at this point, approaching three hours

in this world tour semifinal. To hang onto the number one ranking,

Murray has got to keep pace with Djokovic will stop if Djokovic goes

further than him in the tournament, he will go back to world number one.

Djokovic is playing in the second semifinal at eight o'clock tonight.

Djokovic against Nishikori. It is still in Murray's hands at this

point, whether he finishes the year at the world number one, but your

mind plays tricks at this stage in the game, the physicality and the

strain. Yes, as fatigue sets in, there's the physical and mental

elements and you have got to do a good job of focusing on the basics.

This is where it is hard for Murray, he has the dialogue which goes back

and forth with the box. Much harder for him to stay focused and to

concentrate on the next point. Ivan Lendl, former world number one

himself on many occasions. The announcement was made at Queen's

Club when the Grand Slam the -- the former grand champion came on board.

Jamie Delgado also has done well, but the credit ultimately goes to

Murray himself. 45 wins from 48 matches since the French Open. In

other words, from Queen's Club onwards, an amazing record.

Well, we spoke about the point against the head of the previous

game, and that was a fine sir. Hammered back. -- fine serve.

Did you see the line judge catch that one?

Automatic flash setting on these cameras, it needs to be disabled.

Andy was distracted by the wire camera moving above the court.

Well, that is a tennis point. After three hours ... Well, this was

exhausting. Easy to lose control of your game and you're thinking deep

into a rally like that. Heartrate up, staying balanced. This is why

you train. One of these lads is going to have

to do this all again tomorrow, probably against Djokovic. It is a

long weekend. Well held, sir. From 0-30 at 3-4 in

the decider. Finishing with the ripped 130 mph.

That is conditioning! Can Murray use this crowd as the

12th man to get him over the line? It sounds like you expect that.

A net cord from Raonic, Murray, moving forward, had to change

direction and completely mis-hit the approach shot. As you can see, a

pretty close encounter. Raonic has to pull himself together

now. At the moment, he is a bit of a goner. He could use this serve.

It is away. Out, anyway. This is a big moment. The reverse forehand was

out. 0-40. Having been sero-30 on his own serve moments ago.

That's it! He has broken a lob, 5-4, he is a game away. And new tennis

balls. It is the first time he has broken serve since he was a set and

a break down, that is ideal timing. He only has to holds the wants and

is home. A couple of weak points from Raonic at the beginning of that

service game, but all credit to Murray. Where there is a will, there

is a way. But he keeps hanging in there. Giving himself the

opportunity to serve for a place in tomorrow's final.

Even their music has gone all a bit. -- the music. Raonic must feel very

alone on the court. He was two points from Victor Read and a place

in the World Tour Finals with a tie-break in the second set. -- two

points from victory. But Murray, his determination to get the job done,

to get the victory. It almost looks like it destroys him at times, his

loathing of losing. He wants to get the job done. Lights

up, whenever you are ready. Just satisfying commercial

regulations around the world. And when they come back from their

commercial breaks, and this is being taken in tens of countries all over

the planet. It disappear they have taken rather longer. There you go!

Somebody found the switch! Easy sitting here, but a little bit

of a safe first serve. Didn't find the corner, was in the hitting zone

for Raonic. Can you believe the return dropped

in? Murray had to play it. He would have challenged it if he felt there

was any chance, and he had the best view in the house. It was good.

And he has broken back. Credit to the man. There will be much

disappointment for British tennis fans but, while, Raonic. Murray

played Raonic into the net. The drop shot was not good enough, he will

take that position all day long. Murray has just smacked a ball out

of the arena. Again, you take your hat to the man.

Raonic stuck in there. I guess the nature of this match, this week,

this tournament, this year, was never going to be straightforward

from Murray. -- for Murray. Oh! That is a ball that he enjoys.

He loves to club of those, normally. -- to clobber those.

Furious that he did not serve out. To make it 6-4.

That is a third double fault in this set. What a terrible time.

Three breaks of serve in a row. STUDIO: What a match this is turning

out to be, we are staying with the tennis here. If you are expecting to

see the news, that will follow the conclusion of this match. Carry is

making some headlines here this afternoon and he will be serving for

it once again -- Murray is making some headlines. COMMENTATOR: Change

of pace on the backhand side, the slider down the line and Raonic not

able to get his feet in place. The evidence of Andy Murray's effort, he

does have a tendency to punch his strings when he loses his serve, he

takes the skin off them, it is horrible, but he won't be feeding

back pain right now. What has he got to do in this game? -- he won't be

feeling that pain. He has got to do a good job of concentrating on the

first couple of points, the first point of the game, where does he go?

He was a bit safe with the first one when he was serving at 5-4. Does he

go for the body, does he go up the middle? What ever he has got to

commit to it and establish himself in this game. We have been lucky

enough to watch serve some very good games, very big games, like against

Djokovic at Wimbledon, we will never forget that. And then a year later

at the Olympics. This is a big one, as well. For a place in Sunday's

final. Six o'clock, Sunday evening. Here we go. One point at a time.

Nothing Murray could do about that point. Controlled aggression from

Raonic. Three hours and 20 minutes, they

have been hammering each other. The longest World Tour Finals matching

history, equalled here. Beating the match with Murray Nishikori on

Wednesday. UMPIRE: No flash photography behind

the players, thank you. UMPIRE: I called three times, Andy,

three times. Amazing, absolutely amazing. Murray

serving for a place in the final now twice, and he wins neither of the

service games. Well done, Raonic, for staying composed. Off we go,

both players will get another challenge. And we will have a

tie-break to decide a place in Sunday evening's final. Many

classic. Longest three set match event and the longest match in

London. Murray is overly concerned with the overhead camera moving, but

that has gone now. Now we have a tie-break shoot out.

The length of the match, the pressure the situation, not easy to

keep those feet moving. -- the pressure of the situation. UMPIRE:

Thank you. Not easy to keep those feet moving

or control the ball. At this stage of the match it has

got to be an advantage to try and get forward. If either player gets

the opportunity to take the net away.

It becomes very difficult in these situations to find small gaps with

passing shots. Andy Murray got a warning for going

over 25 seconds earlier on in this match and I don't for a moment think

the umpire would call a time violation now. 25 seconds between

points, even these ones. Great match. CHEERING

That was a bit of a floppy one, wasn't it? Combination of fatigue

and nervous tension. Feet not getting into the right position for

that forehand. Yes, he has picked him off. Big

forehand into the corner, follows it up. Two points away now. A set and a

break down, two points away from defeat, and has served for this

twice. Could not finish the job. Can he now?

He is down the end where his camp are within earshot, he is always

tempted by the opportunity to have a word with them. No time for that

now. The winner of this next point has match point.

LAUGHTER And breathe.

Oh! You are kidding me. The backhand crept over the net by one

millimetre, backhand slice from Raonic, magnificent shot and

beforehand finished it. This is the one. You beauty. That wasn't bad

either, the forehand on the run. Oh! This time the sliced backhand has

floated long or has it? Too high over the net, the big swing. It is

match point Murray, on his serve. It was his turn to make the amazing

return. 133 mph first serve, Murray at full stretch, managed to get the

ball back in play. And now the match point on his own serve. UMPIRE:

Please, switch off the light on your mobile phone, thank you.

Oh! Now he has hit a slice long. Now what, here? UMPIRE: Please, ladies

and gentlemen, until the end of the match, please make the light on your

mobile phone stay off, please, for both ways. The thick end of 18,000

people here and everyone has a mobile phone with a mind of its own.

We understand the frustration. Raonic as -- has played superbly on

the three match points which Murray has had. To go from a score of 8-7

down to go 9-8 in France, that is Chan Kim tennis. -- in front, that

his champion tennis. STUDIO: This goes on and on, we are

staying with the tennis and the drama here at the O2 arena. If you

are respecting Children In Need, the best bits, that will be shown

tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock -- if you are expecting. COMMENTATOR:

We will have to cancel Ed Balls on Strictly if it continues like this,

this tie-break is phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal. The longest

match in London, and probably the best. That we have ever seen.

Wawrinka against Federer was very good couple of years ago, this is

spectacular, as well. And it is all over. A year of firsts

continues for Andy Murray here at the World Tour Finals, first final

at this event. It will either be Djokovic or Nishikori. His dream of

ending the year as world number one continues.

STUDIO: The crowd rises to this amazing athlete, this amazing

fighter on court. He loves a battle and it did not come any greater than

that against Raonic today. Sport does not get any better than what we

have seen here this afternoon. His winning streak is now 23 matches

unbeaten. The drama today, and we will be back tomorrow, it is the

final, will it be Andy against Novak Djokovic? That would be a fitting

finale for what has been an amazing year. From all of us here, until

tomorrow, goodbye. A tram driver has been suspended

after footage emerged which appeared to show him struggling to stay awake

while on duty. The incident, reportedly filmed

in April, happened on the same line in Croydon where seven people

were killed last week. From Croydon, Helena

Lee sent this report. His head nodding from side to side,

this tram driver appears to be According to The Sun newspaper,

it was filmed by a concerned passenger back in April just three

miles from the tram crash that