Paris Masters quarter-final - Murray bts Berdych
Murray will become world number one if he reaches the final
Top seed Djokovic loses 6-4 7-6 to Cilic in quarter-final
Cilic to face Isner, who beat Sock 7-6 4-6 6-4
*Murray 4-4 Berdych
Andy Murray - 40-0 down - comes sauntering into the net like this is a hit-and-giggle match after a boozy lunch.
He puts away a deft drop-volley to pull back a point.
The Scot goes for the flat-out knock-out return winner on the next point, but pings only into the tape.
Image source, Getty ImagesMurray 4-3 *Berdych
The lesser-spotted Andy Murray dropper floats over perfectly - loaded with backspin - to die out of Tomas Berdych's reach for 15-15.
This is the sort of dish that the Czech likes though as he hangs in a rally and then bashes away from the baseline like a panel beater on overtime.
Murray gets a little lucky as Berdych overcooks just as the Scot looks close to being overwhelmed.
Murray makes good his escape though and closes out.
Image source, Getty Images*Murray 3-3 Berdych
Andy Murray works up 15-30 and a glimmer of a chance.
Attack is proving to be the best form of defence for Tomas Berdych as he comes forward to splatter away a forehand on the next point.
Two serves - one brain, the other sheer brawn - get the Czech through a sticky spot of bother.
Murray 3-2 *Berdych
On return, Tomas Berdych looks like he is wearing concrete wellies and working with dial-up reflexes.
Murray's serves are bristling with pace and purpose. He whips through the game to 15 as Berdych sends a couple of returns sailing towards the front row of seats.
What is that floating on the air? I sniff a break and Andy Murray is the one brewing up.
Image source, Getty Images*Murray 2-2 Berdych
Tomas Berdych's serve comes under the first bit of pressure at 0-30.
He uncorks two cannon-like tee-offs that Murray - stretching and scraping - cannot claw back.
Murray flashes a forehand return into the net as he tries to take back the initiative.
Berdych comes out on top in a trade of beefy forehands to get over the line. The first bit of intrigue in the plot.
Image source, Getty ImagesMurray 2-1 *Berdych
Andy Murray holds to love as Tomas Berdych's death-or-glory forehands push up daisies.
The atmosphere in the arena is a little flat. The Parisians are still absorbing the loss of Novak Djokovic who always charms with his smattering of the local lingo.
Image source, Getty Images*Murray 1-1 Berdych
Novak Djokovic has reached the interview room...
*Murray 1-1 Berdych
Tomas Berdych shows the sort of tennis that could make this evening distinctly uncomfortable for Andy Murray.
Two laser-like running forehands down the line, a clubbing serve and he is home and hosed to 15.
A strong opening statement from the Czech.
Image source, Getty ImagesMurray 1-0 *Berdych
Steady as she blows for Andy Murray as he opens up with a rock-solid hold.
Over to you Tomas.
Image source, Getty ImagesMurray v Berdych
Image source, Getty ImagesThe players are on court, deep into their knock-up.
In Camp Berdych, coach Goran Ivanisevic and wife Ester Satorova.
Jamie Delgado is steering the Murray support in the stands.
Berdych proposed to his other half at the Melbourne Botanical Gardens in the wake of the 2015 Australian Open by the way. Romantic and educational.
Right, here we go, Murray to serve.
Murray v Berdych
Image source, AFPThere was a time, relatively recently, when Tomas Berdych had the upper hand on Andy Murray.
When the Czech prevailed in their meeting at the Cincinnati Masters in 2013 he improved his record against the newly-crowned Wimbledon champion to six wins to four defeats.
Berdych is not in the best nick though. In Vienna last week, while Murray was scooping up the title, Berdych was going out in his opening match against world number 107 Nikoloz Basilashvili.
He also lost his first match at Shanghai and Rakuten in his previous two events.
He has to win today to keep his hopes of making the World Tour Finals alive.
The Palais Omnisport in Paris has seen scenes of British success before.
Greg Rusedski won the title there in 1998...
Image source, Getty ImagesTim Henman got his hands on the prickly tree of success in 2003...
Image source, Getty ImagesDavid Bowie did a turn in 1996...
Image source, Getty ImagesBut the coronation of Britain's best-ever player as the world's best would surpass it all.
Murray v Berdych
Image source, Getty ImagesAndy Murray is just two wins away from planting a giant Scottish saltire at the summit of the men's game.
After a wobble against Grigor Dimitrov in the previous round, Novak Djokovic was run out of Paris by Croatian Marin Cilic less than two hours ago.
His quarter-final exit means that if Andy Murray beats Tomas Berdych today and either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Milos Raonic in the last four on Saturday, he will play Sunday's final knowing that, regardless of the result, he will be world number one for the first time in his career on Monday morning.
Massive.
Image source, Rex FeaturesIt.
Is.
On.
Image source, Reuters