Andy Murray saved a match point and overcame a controversial line call to beat Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-2 5-7 7-6 and reach the final of the St Petersburg Open.
Youzhny served for the match at 5-3 in the decider but the 20-year-old Scot broke back, then saved a match point in the next game.
With the third seed clearly upset with himself, Murray took his chance to clinch victory after Youzhny double-faulted on match point to lose the tiebreaker 7-1. Murray, making his first appearance in Russia's second city, broke Youzhny twice at the start of the first set but the match turned on its head late in the second.
The players were on serve until the Russian broke for the first time with the help of a controversial decision.
On set point, Youzhny's shot was clearly out but was ruled in. Murray was outraged but he had already used both his Hawk-Eye challenges in that set.
The 25-year-old Muscovite looked on course for victory after breaking world No.16 in the fourth game of the decider, but lost his grip on the match after failing to convert his chances.
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JONATHAN PEARCE
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE