Andy Murray has the chance to avenge three Australian Open final losses after defeating Tomas Berdych in a tense and dramatic semi-final.
The sixth-seeded Scot came back from a set down to beat Berdych 6-7 (6-8) 6-0 6-3 7-5 in three hours and 26 minutes on Thursday night.
The angst-filled match was fuelled by death stares from Berdych and the Scot's often-angry remonstrations.
They had shared history in that Berdych hired Murray's former coach and confidant Dani Vallverdu in December after a falling-out with the Scot.
Berdych didn't miss when he struck a volley directly at Murray in the fourth set, but by then his efforts were in vain.
Murray's game proved too dynamic and his mentality too resilient for the Czech, who equalled his best result at Melbourne Park by exiting in the last four.
Murray will take on world No.1 Novak Djokovic or reigning champion Stan Wawrinka in Sunday night's final.
After losses to Djokovic in 2011 and 2013, and Federer in 2010, Murray would be the first man in Australian Open history to win the title after three final defeats.
The Scot admitted the night began with extra spice.
"I changed tactics a little bit and I felt more comfortable with Tomas's ball," he said.
"In the second set I got a lot more aggressive.
"When I was dictating the points and getting the first strike I was winning the majority of those points.
"I was able to do that more and more."
Murray will take great strength into the final from his dismantling of the seventh seed.
Berdych was unassailable on his serve and on track for the first set after breaking Murray to lead 5-3 but dropped his focus in the subsequent game.
The Czech unusually moved to request a change of balls at deuce and 5-5 amidst Murray's protestations.
In the 77-minute set's tiebreak, Berdych saved a set point before winning and giving Murray an earful as he passed the net.
Murray did his talking on the court.
The sixth seed routed Berdych to love in an almost faultless display to completely flip the momentum.
Berdych lost his cool and his first set of the tournament, winning just 10 points before a steadying trip to the locker room.
At 2-3, Berdych's re-discovered resilience was shattered once more, dropping his serve after leading 40-love.
Murray's strong rallying had the Czech on the ropes and he had just two games across more than an hour's work.
The Scot was even out-serving Berdych, finishing with 14 aces to five - his eighth to close out the third set.
Murray continued on the front foot in the fourth set, though Berdych came closest to a break of serve.
Berdych won his first break points in over two hours but couldn't crack his opponent.
Instead Murray took the decisive break at 5-5, serving truly to close out the match.
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