Result: Andy Murray through to Australian Open semi-finals

Andy Murray reaches the 18th Grand Slam semi-final of his career following his four-set victory over David Ferrer at the Australian Open.

Great Britain's Andy Murray kept his hopes of winning a first Australian Open title alive thanks to a 6-3 (5)6-7 6-2 6-3 victory over David Ferrer at the quarter-final stage in Melbourne earlier today.

Murray, a four-time beaten finalist at Melbourne Park, has now reached 18 Grand Slam semi-finals - the same number as Boris Becker.

Andy Murray celebrates winning his quarter-final match against David Ferrer during day 10 of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2016© Getty Images

Having claimed the first set in 46 minutes, number two seed Murray clawed his way back from 4-1 down to level up the second set.

However, his Spanish opponent went on to show the battling qualities that have defined his career to eventually claim the set on a tie-breaker.

Play was stopped momentarily during the third set in order for the roof to be closed on the Rod Laver Court and after the resumption Murray took complete control of proceedings, dropping just five games on his way to sealing the win in 11 minutes short of four hours.

Murray's triumph came shortly after Johanna Konta had defeated Zhang Shaui in straight sets, which means that Britain has a man and a woman in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam event for the first time since 1977.

The Scot will now take on the winner of the Milos Raonic versus Gael Monfils encounter for a place in Sunday's final.

Andy Murray practises on day one of the Australian Open on January 18, 2016
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