It's the first time since Sydney in January that the 35-year-old Scotsman, currently No. 68 in the world, has reached this stage of an ATP tournament, which should earn him a return to the top-50 for the first time in more than four years.

He will face Australian Nick Kyrgios on Saturday, winner of Hungarian Marton Fucsovics by abandonment (back pain), when he was leading 7-6 (6-6), 3-0.

Australian Nick Kyrgios during his match against Italian Jannik Sinner on March 29, 2022 at the Miami Open MATTHEW STOCKMAN GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives

The other semi-final will pit Matteo Berrettini against Oscar Otte.

The Italian defeated compatriot Lorenzo Sonego 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, and the German qualified without playing after French opponent Benjamin Bonzi withdrew due to abdominal pain.

Stefanos Tsitsipas "served incredibly well in the first set. I felt like I had very few chances, admitted Murray, but when he created chances on my serve, I stayed strong".

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas serves against Australian Alex DeMinaur on March 29, 2022 at the Miami Open Mark Brown GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives

"I played a really good tie-break, and in the second set, when I was able to get into the rally, I felt I was taking control a lot," added the three-tournament winner Briton. Grand Slam and double Olympic champion.

Lumberjacks

In front of a large and conquered audience, the two men played a match of superb craftsmanship, but Murray, in broad daylight and visibly confident, deployed the full range of his multifaceted talent on a few crucial points which tipped the match .

After a very tight first set, he dominated his Greek opponent in the deciding game.

First with an ace on his sixth point, followed by an authoritative climb to the net on the next ball, for the set, which forced Tsitsipas to attempt a lob, which fell off the court.

In the second set, he again let go of the number one seed of the tournament, his 12-year-old junior, by scoring the first break of the game in the sixth game (4-2): after placing a Sumptuous cushioning winner behind the net, he won the game on a spectacular pass after a lumberjack exchange worthy of clay.

Scottish Andy Murray attempts a drop shot against Argentinian Federico Delbonis on March 24, 2022 at the Miami Open Mark Brown GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives

Andy Murray won 46 titles on the circuit in his career.

His last trophy dates back to October 2019 in Antwerp.

Last January, he reached the final of the Sydney tournament.

© 2022 AFP