Battling Murray reaches last four at Indian Wells

BRITISH No.1 Andy Murray put in a battling display to reach the semi finals at Indian Wells, overcoming Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic 7-5 7-6 (8-6).

TRUE GRIT: Battling Murray reaches last four at Indian Wells (Getty Images)

Both players blew hot and cold in blustery conditions, but it was Scotland's world number four who dug deepest to grind out his place in the last four.

Murray will now face world number two Roger Federer or Spain's Fernando Verdasco - the man who knocked him out of the Australian Open.

"I thought I did well," said the 21-year-old from Dunblane.

"At the end of each set, I started to make more returns. I served very well in the tie-break at the end.

"I didn't serve huge the whole time but didn't give any opportunities away on the second serve.

"I bounced back well each time I got broken, so I was happy with that."

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Murray flew out of the blocks in California and broke the world number 74's serve in the first game of the match.

But it was not long before Ljubicic broke back to level the match in the sixth game when Murray attempted one too many drop-shots.

But the fiery Scot broke again with the scores tied at 5-5 and then served out the first set.

The second set was just as close and went to the wire but Murray held his nerve in the tie-break to book his place in the last four.