Britain’s Andy Murray gets another shot at Wimbledon history

WIMBLEDON -- Andy Murray will get his date with history in the Wimbledon final for the second consecutive year.

Murray, the runner-up to Roger Federer last year and the No. 2-seeded player in this year’s tournament, outlasted No. 24 Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3, Friday on Centre Court to advance to the championship match on Sunday. He will face No. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who defeated No. 8 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in an enthralling five-set match.

Murray has reached the final of the last four Grand Slam events he has entered. He missed the French Open last month because of a back injury.

The Murray-Janowicz match had some sour overtones. Janowicz, the first Polish man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal, complained about the fading light as the match wore on. He repeatedly asked referee Andrew Jarrett for the roof to be closed and the lights to be turned on. It was still light well past 8 p.m. London time, but Janowicz insisted it was too dark to continue.

Finally, after Murray had come back from a 4-1 deficit in the third set to win the last five games and go up a set, the decision was made to close the roof, a process that takes about 25 minutes. It was about 8:40 p.m. local time. Murray was unhappy, and his words were picked up by courtside television microphones.

“It’s not even dark. It’s not fair. How long has he been complaining about this?” Murray said.

“I don’t understand these rules. There are no rules.”

Janowicz, an enormously promising 22-year-old who is expected to raise his ranking to a career-best 17th through his performances here, won the first game after play resumed under the closed roof and lights. But Murray quickly regained his composure as well as his return game and pushed back to close out the set. Afterward, the two met at the net and chatted briefly, with no apparent rancor.

“It’s a tough situation. There’s probably 45 minutes of light left,” Murray said in a TV interview after the match. “This is an outdoor event and you try and play outdoors as much as you can. “

Murray said his third-set comeback was crucial after he had squandered some chances to take control in the first set.

“He’s very unpredictable. He hit some huge serves out there and gave me very little rhythm,” Murray said.

“I’m delighted to come through and get another chance in the Wimbledon final.”

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