Tennis:Andy Murray is back in the final of the AEGON Championships at Queen's Club after demolishing Andy Roddick. The British number one produced a masterclass of grasscourt tennis as he thrashed the three-time Wimbledon finalist 6-3 6-1.
World number four Murray, champion in 2009, was in dazzling form in a one-sided contest that was all over inside an hour. He will play Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France after the fifth seed overcame unseeded Briton James Ward 6-3 7-6 in the second semi.
The British number one controlled the match from the outset, breaking Roddick at the first opportunity in both sets as he won in just 59 minutes.
Roddick simply could not touch him as Murray, who has put all concerns over his ankle injury behind him, produced an exhibition of top-class tennis.
Murray mixed his game up magnificently, passing Roddick with some exquisite winners and teasing the American with some traditional drop-shots.
"I got off to a good start," said Murray. "Andy is one of the toughest guys to break on the tour. I managed to get a break early in both sets, everything that touched my racket was going in.
"That doesn't happen much on court. I was lucky."
Murray was nearly forced to withdraw from the tournament after suffering an ankle injury en route to the French Open semi-finals last week.
But he needed to play on grass to help him adapt from the Paris clay in time for Wimbledon and after a scratchy first couple of rounds his eye is firmly on the title.
Murray received an unexpected day off on Friday when quarter-final opponent Marin Cilic withdrew from their last-eight contest with an ankle problem of his own.
That would have allowed Murray time to treat the ankle - and he came racing out of the blocks against Roddick, moving into a 3-0 lead before going 4-1 up with two perfect drop shots.
Murray took Roddick to deuce before the American held for a 4-2 lead but he had no way back into the set.
The world number four fired down two aces to claim a 5-2 lead and then fizzed three more past a stunned Roddick to wrap up the opening set.
There was no let-up from Murray in the second set as he fired two forehand winners past Roddick to claim a pair of break points. He needed only one as Roddick netted a volley.
Murray held for 3-1 and then moved a second break up with another deft drop shot before unleashing a forehand winner on the run. It was a masterclass.
Roddick, one of the finest grasscourt exponents of his generation, had no answer to Murray from the back of the court or from the net.
Murray was pouncing on Roddick's usually deadly serve and he despatched a backhand and then a forehand winner before breaking for a third time to seal a stunning victory.
Tomorrow's final has been brought forward from 2.30pm and will now start at 12 noon because of the poor weather forecast.
Tournament director Chris Kermode said: "We are determined to complete the tournament tomorrow and are making this decision now to give our ticket-holders, players, guests and broadcast partners as much time as possible to plan accordingly.
"We are continuously monitoring the weather forecasts, and all the indications at this stage are that rain will arrive in London on Sunday afternoon and remain for the rest of the day. By making this decision we are giving ourselves the best possible chance of completing the final day of play on schedule."