“Probably the most emotional match I’ve played,” said Murray afterwards. “I feel great, I’m so happy to be in the final.”

Murray turned in an inspired serving performance, dialing in massive first serves at crucial junctures and knocking back all four break points he faced in the final set.

In the first set, the two players locked horns in a plethora of electric baseline rallies, and it appeared the set would be headed to a tiebreaker until Murray suddenly rallied in the twelfth game, blazing a forehand passing shot past an approaching Djokovic to steal the set. 
 

In the second set, Murray, not known for his lights-out serving, battled nerves and a hungry Djokovic to keep his nose in front for the whole set.

“The atmosphere was unbelievable on the court,” said Murray. “Especially when we were getting towards the end when it was getting dark.” 
 

With Djokovic serving to force a second set tiebreaker, Murray, energized by the roar of the crowd after each positive moment, reeled off three straight return points to earn triple match point. He then drilled a return at Djokovic’s shoetops on the very next point, and when the Serb couldn’t dig out the volley, bedlam ensued.

“It’s a very different atmosphere from Wimbledon. Both are great but this was more like a concert,” said an obviously ecstatic Murray.

Murray will face Roger Federer in the gold medal match for a shot to avenge his four-set loss to the 17-time Grand Slam champion in the Wimbledon final.

“There’s going to be pressure for both of us,” said Murray. “We played a great match at Wimbledon, and I want to beat him this time—that’s the plan.”