Could this be the tournament where Murray steps up and ends his Grand Slam duck ? He will hardly have many better opportunities with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both out. It will be the first time for three years that a major final has been contested without one of the two.
Murray has been in sensational form all tournament, conceding just one set so far. His quarter-final display against Alexandr Dolgopolov was his weakest so far but it was still a fairly comfortable four set win for the fifth seed once he had adjusted the Ukrainian's awkward game.
Ferrer took out Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the last round but the top seed was injured almost from the start of the match and it was clear to everyone that he was not moving with his usual freedom. Still, Ferrer must take full credit for maintaining his composure.
Murray will need to maintain his impressive serving as Ferrer is one of the best returners on tour. The Spaniard brilliantly neutralized the huge hitting Canadian upstart Milos Raonic in the fourth round.
Expect plenty of brutal, punishing baseline rallies in this one. Both players are among the best movers in the game. However on hard courts, Ferrer's serve is a weakness which Murray can exploit and you feel that Murray's greater variety and shot selection options should give him the edge.
Prediction: Murray in four