Sixth seed Andy Murray begins his US Open campaign with a straightforward win against Argentine qualifier Sergio Roitman

But Murray makes hard work of his second round match against France's Michael Llodra before winning 6-4 1-6 7-5 7-6 (9-7)

The Scot also endures a torrid time against Austria's Jurgen Melzer, losing the first two sets of their third-round encounter

Murray is two points away from defeat by the world number 48 but digs deep to win a third set tie-break and keep his hopes alive

Melzer tires and Murray demonstrates his supreme fitness to eventually claim a 6-7 (5-7) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 6-3 victory

After surviving that scare, Murray is in imperious form against Stanislas Wawrinka in round four, racing to a 6-1 6-3 6-3 victory

He later reveals he was inspired by the presence of 'Entourage' star Adrian Grenier in the stands - "It's my favourite TV show," he says

Murray is now in the zone as he faces Juan Martin del Potro, who he accused of insulting his mother at a Masters Series match in May

But Murray shows there are no hard feelings after he triumphs 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-1) 4-6 7-5 to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final

Murray now has Rafael Nadal in his sights, and he storms into a two-set lead against the world number one, who he has yet to beat

However, some very British weather comes to Nadal's rescue and their 'Super Saturday' match has to resume on Sunday

Murray's exploits are now attracting a sizeable celebrity following, including golf star Greg Norman and his wife, tennis great Chris Evert

Oscar winner Charlize Theron and her Irish actor boyfriend Stuart Townsend are also at Flushing Meadows for Murray v Nadal

American three-time Grand Slam winner Jennifer Capriati (left) watches the semi-final match-up with model Christie Brinkley

Hollywood star Glenn Close and Australian actress Rose Byrne join the 23,000 capacity crowd packed into the Arthur Ashe Stadium

American actor and comedian Will Ferrell is also enthralled by the drama as Nadal fights back to take the third set

The hard-hitting Nadal is determined to add a first US Open title to his Wimbledon and French Open triumphs in 2008

But Murray is out to make history of his own by becoming the first British man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Fred Perry in 1936

He wins the fourth set to seal a 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-4 victory to the delight of his mother Judy Murray and girlfriend Kim Sears

Having beaten Nadal, 12-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, chasing a fifth straight US Open crown, awaits Murray in the final

But Murray has to settle for the runners-up trophy as a rampant Federer claims his fifth US Open title in a row in less than two hours