Andy Murray is just one match away from making his second consecutive Australian Open final, but he will need to beat a red hot David Ferrer if he is to continue on at Melbourne. Murray and Ferrer, who are ranked fifth and sixth in the world respectively, are scheduled to take the court at Rod Laver Arena at 3:30am ET tomorrow morning. 2011 Australian Open Semifinals Betting Odds have Murray listed as a -500 moneyline favorite.
Andy Murray experienced his most 
difficult test of this year's Open on Wednesday morning as he needed four sets to get past the highly unorthodox Alexandr Dolgopolov. Murray, who recorded his first non-straight sets victory at this year's tournament, appeared to be in trouble after Dolgopolov pieced together an amazing tie break to take the third set.
Murray rallied, though, and jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the final frame in route to a 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (7-3), 6-3 victory. The 22 year old Dolgopolov hit 57 winners to Murray's 33, but he also committed 77 unforced errors in trying to force the action.
Murray fell to Roger Federer, 3-6, 4-6, 6-7, in last year's final, the defeat marked his second career runner up finish in a Grand Slam (2008 U.S. Open).
David Ferrer, who has played in just one other major semifinal, shocked the tennis world two days ago with a straight sets upset of top ranked Rafael Nadal. Ferrer took advantage of his fellow Spaniard's unspecified injury to win the match, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
Ferrer hit 44 winners in the victory, but Nadal was clearly hampered on a number of those, giving up on several shots that he would normally return with ease.
Today's match marks the sixth career meeting between Murray and Ferrer. Ferrer owns a 3-2 record against the Brit, but he has never defeated him on a hard surface.
Andy Murray vs David Ferrer 2011 Australian Open Semifinals Betting Odds:
Andy Murray -5.5 (-130), Over 38.5 (-110), -500 (Moneyline)
David Ferrer +5.5 (-110), Under 38.5 (-110), +300 (Moneyline)
