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1954: This from Nadal as he strides off: "For me, it's a dream to be back in the final. I'm very happy. I feel sad for Murray, I think he deserves to be in this final too. I wish him all the best for the rest of the year. He's a great champion and the only way to beat him is to be really aggressive and play some fantastic shots. He was playing fantastic at the beginning, but he made a mistake at the beginning of the second set and that was one of the turning points of the match. It's always tough to play against Novak [Djokovic], he's playing fantastic this year and has only been beaten once. I've lost four times already against him but I will try my best, as always."
Andy Murray's former coach Miles Maclagan: "Nadal is an amazing individual. He faced some adversity and he faced a guy playing excellent tennis but his concentration and belief never wavered. But Andy can take so many positives from this. He has played this match in the right manner and the lesson he can take is that in Nadal here we have a man who can play at that high intensity for five sets if necessary." BBC Radio 5 live summariser Pat Cash: "When Nadal is in this mood he is almost impossible to beat. How do you stop him?" 
Boris Becker on BBC TV: "Well he's got one more set than last year so that's an improvement but overall it's the best Andy Murray I've seen at Wimbledon. He's facing a better player at the moment. Nadal has too much firepower but Murray's still young and he's still learning." 
John Lloyd on BBC TV: "He's got to look at this match and go back to the camp and say how do I keep and raise my intensity and stay with someone like Nadal for three to three and a half hours. There was not one hint of panic from Nadal and he knew that it was tough for anyone to stay with him and they didn't." 
Olga S on Twitter: "Ah well, he managed to take a set off him this time. Two sets next year and into the final in 2013?" 1945: So there it is - Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final. The best two players in the world, the winners of the first two Grand Slam events this year. Sport can be a crazy old unpredictable beast, and that's why we love it, but a lot of the time it's a matter of cold, hard logic. 1942: Nadal with arms held high, head tipped back, staring up at the heavens. Wonderful display, and Murray trudges to the net to shake hands. The fight is over for another year; Nadal, imperious, unparalled, marches on. Murray 7-5 2-6 2-6 4-6 Nadal What is there left in Murray's armoury? Nadal, just the merest of glances to coach Uncle Toni in the VIP slots - crashing serve that Murray can only flay into the net; long, flashing forehand over the baseline for 30-0. Wonderful brace of forehands from Nadal for three match points - put a consoling arm around the nearest person to you - ah, a final hurrah as Murray builds and builds to a backhand volley winner with nose on the net-cord. Forehand into the corner - too good, it's all been too good...
John Lloyd on BBC TV: "Murray got his tactics right in the first set and he was brilliant but to play that high-risk tennis and keep it going - that's the problem against Nadal in five sets. In three sets you can sneak a break but in five sets Murray has just not been able to keep up that standard." Murray 7-5 2-6 2-6 4-5 Nadal *The last of the evening sunshine long gone from Centre, and with it the nation's hopes. Unless that nation is Spain, in which case they're in magnificent shape. 30-30 as Nadal appears to be in eight places at once on court to chase, fetch and flay everything in sight, double-fault for match point. Here it is. Big serve... reply into the net. Another big serve, follow-up out wide, into the net for a neat backhand volley. Advantage Murray, if only in technical terms; big serve, Nadal into the net. Execution stayed. For now. * Murray 7-5 2-6 2-6 3-5 Nadal
Murray isn't taking his chances, he hits a forehand into the net from the middle of the court. Be aggressive, but make it work. Murray mutters something to mum Judy in the VIP seats, but there's nothing Judy can do from there. Primeval power from Nadal from the baseline as he comfortably moves to 40-0 and holds, without reply from Murray.
Murray 7-5 2-6 2-6 3-4 * Nadal
A gentle overhead dink and a rasping ace out wide takes Murray to 30-0 and the Brit produces another enormous serve, with Nadal's response just dribbling into the net, and heads back to the changeover to defeaning cheers. Hold on, everyone, hold on. * Murray 7-5 2-6 2-6 2-4 Nadal
If Rafa does hold on here, Sunday will be his 13th Grand Slam final. He hasn't been beaten here since the final in 2007. Bon chance, Nole. Huge serve out to the Murray forehand - too much mustard on that particular hotdog, and Murray's hopes whirl closer to the gurgler. Murray 7-5 2-6 2-6 2-3 Nadal *
Murray's hit more winners than Nadal - 37 to the Spaniard's 35. But the unforced error count is a horror-story - 33 from the home favourite, just seven from Nadal. A hold to keep his nose above the waters, but he has to break Nadal at some point in his next three service games or wait, like all of us, another year for the long, long wait to come to an end.
BBC Radio 5 live summariser Annabel Croft: "I feel like Andy is going to absolutely explode out here. He has just screamed at his camp again and is on the edge." * Murray 7-5 2-6 2-6 1-3 Nadal The power of a mother's words. Murray steps into a service return and smashes it back on the forehand. 30-30. In again - another! Break point on the Nadal serve, a phrase we feared extinct. Fresh belief fills the air. Nadal in - Murray forced wide - Nadal at the net - volley punched away. He'll have another here though - Nadal flinching just a fraction, and he's in the rally... no, you have to be more aggressive - if you just keep the point going Nadal will simply choose his moment before slitting your throat. Long from Murray; was that his final chance to somehow turn the tide?
Boris Becker on BBC TV: "If Nadal starts ripping backhand cross-court winners, he's in the zone - he's feeling it." Murray 7-5 2-6 2-6 1-2 Nadal *What a backhand onto the baseline from Nadal. Whooahs and wows from all around. Murray holds after another almighty struggle; there are cheers, but there's a desperate note to the voices. Let's look to his seats - Mama Judy, staring across court trying to find her son's gaze, narrowing her eyes and mouthing a series of "Come on, come on, come on"s in his slump-shouldered direction.
Infostrada Sports on Twitter: "Andy Murray is in his 23rd Grand Slam. Only 6 of 51 Grand Slam winners in Open era needed more attempts to win their first." * Murray 7-5 2-6 2-6 0-2 Nadal If you can put the patriotism to one side, you'd relish every second of this Nadal display. I'm not sure which element of his game is the more flabbergasting - his consistency, his court coverage, the power of his forehand, the fizz and grip of the backhand slices or just his sheer indefatigability. It can be a cliche, but it's also true: watching him in this form is a privilege.
BBC Radio 5 live summariser Annabel Croft: "Murray is starting that chattering routine back to his team in the box. That is not normally a good sign." Murray 7-5 2-6 2-6 0-1 Nadal *In the first set Murray was serving at 68% on his first serve. In that last set it was down at 48%. It'll keep dropping at this rate too - backhand dying in the poisonous embrace of the net, 0-30. In to the net, a volley to put away, and even Nadal can't reach tha... rewind that sentence, re-write the rule-book, rip up the Union flag banners you were preparing for Sunday's final. Forehand winner down the line that no-one but Nadal could ever have made, and that's another break. If you believe in miracles, can you explain how they work?
Dan Gould on Twitter: "I reckon Murray needs a sports psychologist - his belief visibly goes, his shoulders slump, and he suddenly starts playing badly." THIRD SET * Murray 7-5 2-6 2-6 Nadal Dismayed, resigned atmosphere around Centre. The nascent party of the first set has been well and truly pooped. Murray wide off the backhand, first teased and then tormented by Nadal's dipping, fizzing backhand and flat, flattening forehands. Backhand slice from Murray that barely gets off the grass - it's gone, it's gone...
Mark on Twitter: "Trying not to be too harsh on Andy - let's face it, he's by a long way the best player Britain's had for 70 years." Murray 7-5 2-6 2-5 Nadal *Muchos fortunado, as they surely never say in Majorca - Murray close to capsizing at 0-30, only for a benevolent net-cord to come to his aid and flip a weary forehand back into court for a unmakeable winner. Nadal - you have to say this is magnificent - wrestling any remaining hope for this set away, blistering a forehand cross-court to take another break. Who could live with this? Buena suerte, of course. We all need it now. * Murray 7-5 2-6 2-4 Nadal
As answers go, I imagine you'd describe three aces in the same service game as somewhat emphatic. Stony faces in the Murray seats - Mama Judy, Ladyfriend Kim, Brother Jamie.
Boris Becker on BBC TV: "In the first set Murray was dominating the baseline rallies but in the second and third sets it has been Nadal." Murray 7-5 2-6 2-3 Nadal *Might that shot just herald something? Nadal to the mid-court, opening the muscled shoulders to flay a forehand into the corner - Murray on the desperate lunge out wide, reflex-blocking a near-impossible return a millimetre over the net and down the line for a stop-the-clocks winner. Serve held again - can he now take aim at Nadal's? * Murray 7-5 2-6 1-3 Nadal
The evening sun obscured by a high ceiling of white cloud. Can we blame that early injury scare for Murray's slump? He hasn't summoned the trainer since; this is as much about one man raising his level at a key junction and another letting his drift. 24 unforced errors from Murray to Nadal's five, a stat that looks ugly and ominous from every angle. Murray 7-5 2-6 1-2 Nadal *
All comebacks start somewhere. Murray holds for the first time in an age and goes to his chair to glug down some barley-water as two grey-faced women in Union flag cowboy hats stare morosely at their pink knees.
Andy Murray's former coach Miles Maclagan: "Andy has got to fire himself up and use his serve to stay with Nadal and build up the pressure on him." * Murray 7-5 2-6 0-2 Nadal A Nadal fan, flushed with excitement, stands up in front of me and holds a small teddy-bear triumphantly in the air. Left or right, I don't mind, just make a choice so I can see the ... oh. Nadal entering warp speed, holding with pace and precision. Seven games now on the bounce - what began as a stall at the top of a loop-the-loop is turning into a death-spin. Murray 7-5 2-6 0-1 Nadal *
Shadows from the roof inch their way across the browning turf towards the net. Murray with an ace to wriggle from 0-30 to 15-30, but his eighth double-fault (Nadal has only two) offers up two more break points. Key times, dark moments. Ace! Forehand boomed down the line... the arm of the line-judge comes out with dread horror, and it's another break point. A horrible stillness in the air - Murray running round his forehand, but that's wide, wide, wide - break taken, the Spanish superstar ascendant. Six games in a row... In other news, I'm told our HD trial has now ended, and have been asked to thank you for all your feedback. Was it convicted?
SECOND SET
* Murray 7-5 2-6 NadalMy giddy aunts - how did Nadal get that volley back, let alone at an angle so acute that it defies my understanding of geometry? Murray had marmalised the forehand return, but it made not a jot of difference. Set taken in super Spanish style - can Murray grab hold of the momentum as Rafa has just done and fire up the Centre Court kiln once again?
John Lloyd on BBC TV: "Murray played a poor service game and he has been in such good control on his service but then he just dropped a level quickly and then dropped another service game, it's happening quickly, isn't it?" Murray 7-5 2-5 Nadal *"COME ON MURRAY!" yells a voice from the seats under the rafters, but it's a voice full of querulous anxiety and fear rather than the rampant, nationalistic celebration of the first set. Murray's shoulders slump a fraction, and then again as a backhand under extreme pressure misses the target - second break taken, not so much pickpocketed as ram-raided, and we're going to be level in a matter of moments.
BBC Radio 5 live summariser Pat Cash: "Andy's performance in the first set was unbelievable and he was bound to drop off at some stage. But it is certainly not danger signs yet. It is only one break." * Murray 7-5 2-4 Nadal It's all Nadal , it's Nadal - he's holding with barely a bead of sweat troubling that wide white bandanna, and the vim and vigour of 20 minutes ago have slowly fizzled out of this crowd like helium escaping from a sinking balloon.
Martin on Twitter: "Screaming 'Come on, Andy' on a packed train home is def the way forward!!." Murray 7-5 2-3 Nadal *In a match like this you look for little turning points, chances that hold their hands up before flitting away, single shots that can perversely decide the outcome of entire campaigns. Was that forehand sent long in the last game one of those game-changers? Murray thunks down his first double fault of the match at 30-30 to offer up a break point, but he should escape here - overhead to slap awa.... oh no! Crashed long, break stolen away, Rafa revitalised and the crowd aghast.
BBC Radio 5 live summariser Annabel Croft: "This is the most aggressive I have ever seen Murray play." * Murray 7-5 2-2 Nadal Murray with a great chance here - 15-30 with a ripping forehand, Nadal nowhere, the Scot at the net for two break points - no! Slapped long with the court lying there, legs akimbo and winking lasciviously. Grimace from Murray, and quite rightly so - huge chance to steal a priceless break. In a gasp and a groan Nadal has taken the game away, and we're level once again. Put it out of your mind. Come on.
Adam at Heathrow Airport via text to 81111: "Cheering on Murray in departures at Heathrow. Hoping he can wrap it up in the next 90 minutes before my flight to Hamburg to cheer on another Brit taking on the world this weekend - David Haye!" Murray 7-5 2-1 Nadal *Murray really varying the direction of his serve - equally spread across forehand and backhand sides in both service boxes. Serving at 63% on his first serve and winning 82% of points when it lands. Denise Lewis in the posh seats, a study in calm. When you've won Olympic gold, these sort of febrile atmospheres are meat and drink.
* Murray 7-5 1-1 Nadal
Before we get ahead of ourselves, our old pal Tim Henman did win the first set of one of his four Wimbledon semi-finals and that was against the similarly 'unbeatable' Pete Sampras. Tim didn't win. But let's not dwell on the doomy stuff. Nadal holds as Murray goes marginally long with a backhand. Prince Andrew has arrived in the Royal Box. In other news, I clearly meant Rapanzel not Rumpelstiltskin at 5-5 in the first.
Andy Murray's former coach Miles Maclagan: "Rafa will be having a few doubts which is want you want. Nadal will now be unsure whether he can win this match." BBC Radio 5 live summariser Pat Cash: "Great set from Murray, He started off serving well. He knows he has to play his best tennis and he did that. Nadal has made a lot of errors and I can't remember him looking this shaky." Murray 7-5 1-0 Nadal *Centre Court was already chewing its own fingers off with excitement. Elbows are in danger after that last game. Murray holds with beautiful precision, Nadal making another unforced backhand error. There is a long, long way to go. But the path is taking us through some rather splendid scenery.
Boris Becker on BBC TV: "This is the moment when good players raise their game and Andy Murray was able to raise his game against Nadal. Obviously Nadal is not going to lose those points, you are going to have to win them." FIRST SET
Murray 7-5 NadalHe can, you know, he can... Nadal forced long, and forced long again - it's 30-0, and thrilled yelps explode from the giddy punters. Now then, now then. First serve - netted. Second serve - deep, kicking, Murray in the point, Nadal chasing, Murray to the net - the lob is up, it's over him it's... it's wide! Three set points. Deep breaths. Big serve out wide.., backhand return into the net. Groans. Better return, Nadal slice... into the net! Murray has taken the set - it could happen, this, it could just happen...
Travis on Twitter: "I don't really mind who wins Murray/Nadal. I think they will both give the viewing public a fantastic final with Djoko." Nadia Kamil on Twitter: "I'm evidently far too excited. I did an involuntary fist pump on the DLR on the way home to watch this match. #comeonandy." Murray 6-5 Nadal *Shadows stretch out from Murray's toes as the sun sinks lower in the west. Into the net for a backhand volley - no, pushed long, 30-30. Nadal tearing into him for deuce, Murray lacing a forehand deep, Nadal scampering, somehow getting winner after surely a winner back - ach, he's stuffed the easiest one of the lot into the net! Henman Hill has been shut, I'm hearing - shut, that is, to new arrivals. It's absolutely rammed. Boom! Ace from Murray, 135mph, his fastest of the tournament. Super time to produce it, wide-mouthed yell of triumph as Nadal then goes long. Can he pile on the pressure before we arrive at a breaker?
Dominique Louis on Twitter: "Fact is Murray is just not as consistent as Nadal and needs to be mentally tougher. He can do it, but he's got to keep it together!." * Murray 5-5 Nadal At 40-0 Nadal is cruising and the stadium silent. Murray batters a why-not forehand away for a clean winner - and again! Ah, no getting that crisp volley back. Ladyfriend Kim Sears in the VIP seats as ever, her hair growing ever longer with each match. Look, I know everyone's hair grows longer; it's just that hers is approaching Rumpleltiltskin lengths. None of my business, of course.
John Lloyd on BBC TV: "I think it is a high-quality first set. I have noticed that Nadal with his first serve - he is averaging five miles an hour quicker than for the rest of the tournament. He figures he has to get more pace on the ball against one of the best returners in the game. To me this is high-quality tennis. Who is going to be the first one to falter - to me it will be in the tie-break." Murray 5-4 Nadal *This time a year ago Nadal was on the brink of taking the first set 6-4. Not this time. Superior serving from Murray - he's winning over 90% of points on his first serve. Gary Player there in the posh seats, Sir David Frost too. And Miranda Hart. Nadal to serve to stay in the set, if you like your scoreboards read with optimism. * Murray 4-4 Nadal
Bjorn Borg still in the Royal Box - he's going nowhere. If I could be any tennis player from the past, I'd be that man. Sorry, Jeremy Bates. With early-period Henri Leconte next. Blistering hold by Nadal, Murray without a sniff of even a single point, no sign of the tiny footholds in his previous service game.
BBC Radio 5 live summariser Pat Cash: "It's all about who is going to play the big points better. It's nip and tuck at the moment and nicely poised. If Murray continues to serve this way he has got the advantage." Murray 4-3 Nadal *Battle is joined - whether it's Nadal hitting his straps, the heavy afternoon air or the Pimm's soaking into stomachs, the atmosphere has just cranked up several levels. Stretch stretch stretch from Murray to pop a half-volley over the net - Nadal rushing in, slapping backhand, splendid reflex volley from the Scot. Wonderful cross-court backhand flick-pass from Nadal - the point seemed won with Murray at the net, but Rafa comes back at you like a tennis Terminator. Mmm - big serve, wriggling away when the hook was a'hunting.
Andy Murray's former coach Miles Maclagan: "Andy is executing his game today better and better, he is putting Nadal under pressure." * Murray 3-3 Nadal Murray waits, emotionless under a white cap, blue sweatband on right wrist, white on left. He has chances here, he really does - a couple of blades of grass long for 15-0, just wide for 30-0 when he could have made it, sweet forehand topspinner after forcing Nadal into a floaty backhand - 14-shot exchange from the back, and again Murray was in the ascendancy before pulling a forehand a fraction wide. Tiny margins, big consequences. Murray 3-2 Nadal *
A service game that says authorative with a capital 'A'. Ace, Nadal forced into an error, barrelling first serve down the middle that Nadal top-edges into the crowd. Here comes the trainer again - quick conflab with Murray, sent on his way. That's the spirit. * Murray 2-2 Nadal
Yes, here comes the trainer - it appears Murray may be having more problems with his right hip-flexor, the muscle at the very top of the thigh. Can't quite hear what the trainer's saying to him - something about, "take a few games to settle in" - he could be refering to painkillers of some sort. Murray will continue, and there's no sign of panic nor pain on his stubbled features. Small glimpse here at 0-15 as Nadal uncharacteristically slices into the net, only for Murray to do the same. Nadal forehand into the line, woeful second serve - Murray should punish this, and he... no, crashed long. Wasted. His movement seemed fine there - one more game until the changeover, so we shall see. Murray 2-1 Nadal *
A woman in the crowd there with something of the young Sue Pollard about her, a pair of Scottish saltires poking up on small flagpoles from the side of her spectacles. Murray wins a battle of backhands from the back, but what's this - has Murray signalled to the umpire for the trainer? Maybe he just wants to tire the doc out before Nadal can get to him. Murray targeting the Rafa backhand with successive topspin backhands, forcing the error as his opponent grimaces. * Murray 1-1 Nadal
The head-to-heads between these two? 15 meetings, Rafa with 11 wins, Murray with four. "WE LOVE YOU ANDY!" yells a plummy male voice, drawing nervous titters from the cheap seats. Murray backhand sldies wide, Nadal ace down the middle at 128mph. Anything you can do...
John Lloyd on BBC TV: "I think Andy Murray is going to win this match but we'll see. He is going to have to go after him from the start." Murray 1-0 Nadal *Now that's a start - cheeky serve-volley (tactic alert), ace down the middle, another ace down the middle at 129mph. Out of the blocks like a ravenous greyhound. * denotes next server
Boris Becker on BBC TV: "I feel that it is Andy Murray's time right now." 1636: Your thoughts? Punchy? Pessimistic? Hello - James Corden and Michael McIntyre there in adjacent seats, both in grey suit jackets, blue shirts and shades. Where do they get their tickets from? Sometimes the ways of the world baffle and confuse me. Bright sunshine, almost no chance of rain, a platoon of line-judges marching into position in cream slacks, blue and white striped shirts and white plimsolls. Saw one of those boys cycling in this morning.Despite tucking trousers into socks, he had bike chain grease all over his ankles. There were audible obscenities. We're good to go. 1634: Here come the players - enormous white racquet-bags hanging off broad shoulders, calves like polished teak visible between mid-calf socks and baggy shorts. Unbreakable fashion rule: only a professional tennis player can ever get away with a mid-calf white sock. Rafael Nadal's coach and uncle, Toni, on BBC Radio 5 live: "Rafael is very special. He won't be nervous in the moments before the match, but he will be a little nervous when he goes on to Centre Court. Rafael is 100% fit and physically it's not a problem, but Andy Murray is a big problem for us." 1630: Look, we're all nervous. I've just seen a middle-aged woman in M&S summer dress (other summer dresses are available) almost chin an eldery man in her desperation to get to rest-room and back before this starts. But do me a quick favour: manually refresh before the madness begins. Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Jonas Bjorkman on BBC Radio 5 live: "Even though Rafa Nadal has been speaking a lot about small injuries, I think he's in perfect shape. He'll be a little too tough for Andy Murray." 
Former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe on BBC Radio 5 live: "Rafael Nadal is going for history. This guy has the chance to be the greatest. But Andy Murray is playing the best tennis of his career." Five-time Wimbledon champion Bjorn Borg on BBC Radio 5 live: "Rafael Nadal is still the number one player in the world. But Andy Murray has impressed me whenever I've seen him play. I believe it's the first time he has a [good] chance to win the championship." Boris Becker on BBC TV: "This is different, this is special. It was very good to hear that when Novak picked up his racquet at the age of four he dreamed of reaching a Wimbledon final and you could tell. For Tsonga it was difficult to come back from a thriller he had against Federer but he gave it his all and all credit to him. But I hope he plays more often like that as we want to see him - he is a fascinating personality.." So, Djokovic will start next week as world number one. Top banana. Numero Uno. The best on the planet. To top it off, he's now in the Wimbledon final. What a week for the Serb. What a year! Djokovic has time for a quick word with BBC Sport, too. "It's difficult to put it into words," he says. "My dreams are coming true, it's the first finals of Wimbledon. I'm so happy to be playing well. It's hard to express your emotions in such a short time." Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-7 6-3 *Tsonga He squandered match point in the third set, can he hold his nerve here? Tsonga is stomping around at the back of the court, wiping the sweat from his brow, as he prepares to face the Djokovic serve. The second seed is bouncing the ball endlessly on the service line, flicks the fluffy yellow ball high into the sky, arches his back and then moves quickly forward to inch closer to victory with a charming volley. Djokovic is one point away. Can he do it? YES! The Serb falls to the floor as Tsonga hits long. The Centre Court patrons are on their feet. Magnificent game. Magnificent performance from both players. *Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-7 5-3 Tsonga
Tsonga continues to entertain, though, even though defeat is looming, with a volley at the net as cute as a litter of kittens. A wild backhand gives Djokovic a sniff. But, fear not, Tsonga fans a lovely lob keeps him in the game.
Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-7 5-2 *Tsonga
This is some performance from Djokovic. It's as if that tie-break didn't happen. Tsonga gesticulates from the dusty baseline as the Serb effortlessly progresses to 40-15 and the would-be world number one gets the better of the Frenchman again by ending a long rally with a sweet volley. Djokovic is dominant.
Tim Henman's former coach David Felgate on BBC Radio 5 live: "The crowd have warmed up again. They will be willing Tsonga to break back, they want to see five sets of this." *Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-7 4-2 Tsonga
It seems unlikely that this match will go to five sets, but you never know with this mercurial Frenchman. He has the crowd on his side, and he wins that service game to love. Only took two-and-a-half minutes for him to wrap that one up. Nice. Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-7 4-1 *Tsonga
The third-set acrobatics seem to have disappeared, but the hum on Centre Court suggests the spectators are still finding this an entertaining duel. Blistering groundstrokes from both players. Djokovic puts a crosscourt forehand wide for 0-30, but then hits back with a pulverising ace and a couple of Tsonga errors moves the Serb to within two games of winning this match. *Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-7 3-1 Tsonga
Double fault for 15-15... Tsonga ace for 30-15 and then a Djokovic forehand, which Tsonga couldn't pick up on the half-volley for 30-30 and a sublime forehand winner down the line moves Tsonga closer. Booming ace out wide from the big man secures a comfy hold. Phew.
BBC Radio 5 live summariser Jeff Tarango: "You could see when Tsonga took that bathroom break that Djokovic was really reflective and not too down on himself. Very professionally, Novak has come back out and said: 'I'm going to give myself another opportunity.'" Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-7 3-0 *Tsonga
Tsonga manages to take that game to 30-30, but Djokovic classily holds. "Tsonga lacking inspiration right now," says Mark Petchey in the commentary box. Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-7 2-0 Tsonga
Oh. Oh. Maybe Tsonga shouldn't have changed his shirt because the magic seems to have gone. Djokovic easily breaks and that game is over as quick as a flash. Could the fourth set be a repeat of the second?
Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-7 2-0 Tsonga
Tsonga skipped away from the court with a spare shirt in his hand after that superb tie-break and as the Frenchman has freshened up, if you could REFRESH, too, then that would be great. Mr Tom has gone for a quick break. That third set seems to have had little affect on the Djokovic serve as he holds that one to love. No problem.
THIRD SET Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-7 (9-11) Tsonga
The momentum see-sawing one way then the other, heads swivelling in the crowd, eyeballs on stalks backsides clinging on to edges of seats. Tsonga - va-va-voom! slapping volleyed winner as Djoko's attempted pass flicks up off the tape and aiming between his eyes, brutal serve for 3-5. The Frenchman now charges in behind his serve - suicidal, blistering return almost sawing him off at the knees - and Novak screams with righteous relief as a big serve and then Tsonga backhand long bring up his first match point. Tsonga on serve... big boomer, volley at the net, horrible overhead to put away... makes it! One more serve - acer, smashed down the middle. The Frenchman now with set point, the first he's had all day. Djokovic... first serve long. Second... sitting up, waiting to be spanked, 83mph... NON! Stuffed so long it beggars belief. Tsonga allows himself an anguished grin, wiped away as Djoko finds a bigger serve for 8-7 and match point no.2. Ace! 8-8. Big serve, 8-9. Tsonga in, Djoko... ai-yai-yai, a magical reach and inside-out pass to save his Serbian bacon. 9-9, tension so thick in the air you could knock yourself out on it. Djoko goes long, and Tsonga has another set point, this time on his own serve. Deep breaths. Enormous, pulverising serve, Djoko's return... LONG! Vive la France! Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-6 Tsonga
Tsonga has decided to go down with pistols blazing from the hips. Wrecking-ball of a forehand for 0-30, another to set up three break-back points - one lost to a big serve, and then - kaboom! another tank-busting forehand down the line to send the adoring thousands into arm-waving, chest-beating frenzy. Tie-break! * Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-5 Tsonga
Anxiety silences the Centre Court crowd. It'll sound like heresy, but almost all have forgotten that Andy Murray vs Rafa Nadal could be almost upon us. Djokovic - oh, so lucky with a net-cord, the ball stopping dead on the tape before rolling into French territory. Break point to go within a service hold of the final... taken, given away by a disconsolate Tsonga as his forehand is hooked long. Groans of disappointment from the partisan patrons - you can almost smell the Francophilia. Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 5-5 Tsonga *
Chance here on the Djoko second serve... no no, he's stuck it long. Nerveless serving from the Serbian - some would be spitting feathers after throwing away such a position, but Djoko swallows hard, takes a deep breath and picks up where he inadvertently left off.
John McEnroe on BBC TV: "That is why you love the sport, the fact that you cannot possibly predict it. It looked like Tsonga didn't have anything left and now the guy is as fresh as a daisy - an unbelievable turnaround. We've often talked about how it is hard to finish a guy off - this is another perfect example." Tim Henman's former coach David Felgate on BBC Radio 5 live: "Who would have thought it? We wondered where Tsonga had gone in that second set. Credit to him for the way he played in that game, phenomenal stuff." * Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 4-5 Tsonga Something has changed in Tsonga's mind too - there is snap where there was snooze, crackle where there was cant, pop where all was poop. Djokovic now must hold to stay in the set - you don't think... Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 4-4 Tsonga *
Scoreboards can change, let's never forget that... Djokovic slaps an easy overhead long after Tsonga drills a desperate forehand passer away, and from nowhere the Frenchman has three break points. Senseless, adrenalised charge to the net off the first, picked off by Djokovic with his seventh passer winner. That's mid-court and sitting up from the Serbian though - in you come, mon ami, iallez alez alleze... yes! Crashed cross-court, break stolen back, delirium all around. They love this man... * Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 4-3 Tsonga
Point of the championship mkIII - dropper from Tsonga, Djoko with an extraordinary sliding-splits cross court reach, Tsonga going full length again to - finally - put away a winner. You'd like to think it'll make a difference - the vast majority in the crowd would - but as he climbs to his weary feet Tsonga is confronted by the bright lights and harsh realities of the digital scoreboard. Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 4-2 Tsonga *
The midsummer sun slides behind a rogue wisp of white cloud, parks briefly and then moves back into the blue. Tsonga long, Tsonga into the net - another game gone, the break opportunities almost non-existent, the end of the road surely just around the bend. * Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 3-2 Tsonga
Tsonga has been an ace machine in this tournament - 29 in his third round win, 19 in his fourth, almost as many against Federer, but today he has managed just six. To beat a player like Djokovic on a day like today you need the magic numbers to come into the equation. Today, it's been all about minus signs. Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 3-1 Tsonga *
An air of resigned disappointment around Centre. If the patrons turned against Djokovic during this defeat of Baghdatis, they have yet to take him back to their hearts. There's admiration as he holds with contemptible ease, but limited love. * Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 2-1 Tsonga
You know we had shot of the championship in the first set? We've just had one even better - dive-volley from Tsonga, dive-volley from Novak, full-length dive-volley from JW... long! Bedlam in the famous old stadium, but it may have broken Tsonga - he lies motionless on the turf, legs crumpled, arms over his face. The crowd will almost drag him to his feet with their roars - if it wasn't for the stewards, I think hundreds of them would pour onto the court to do it with their arms - but the break is gone, and with it, you would have to think, the semi-final. Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 1-1 Tsonga *
Djokovic at 62% on his first serve, but his second has been a wonderful reserve force - he's winning 70% of points on it, kicking them up into his opponent's body, slicing them out wide.
BBC Radio 5 live summariser Jeff Tarango: "For someone like Tsonga, who's had injuries and up-and-down form in the last few years, maybe he's happy with what he's achieved." * Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 0-1 Tsonga Jo-Wilfried's brother Enzo there in the VIP seats, doing his best to send mood-lifting brotherly vibes through the baking mid-afternoon air. Maybe a few get through - Tsonga holds in rapid fashion for his best service game in an age.
John McEnroe on BBC: "You wonder how on earth can Tsonga do this. He looks a lot less energised than he did against Federer. He has to get going early in the third set or this could be over in half an hour." SECOND SET Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 Tsonga *Never a doubt. Djokovic holds to love to move to within a set of his first Wimbledon final and, as a nice little bonus, his first ever residency in the world no.1 slot. The first set took an hour and two minutes, the second just 31 minutes. Hmmm. * Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 5-2 Tsonga
We cannot write Tsonga off. On Wednesday afternoon he went two sets down to a six-time Wimbledon champion who had never lost from such a position in Grand Slam tennis, only to turn that contest on its head from nowhere. Can he do it twice in three days? It's a monstrous ask. Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 5-1 Tsonga *
Bright sunshine continues to sizzle the appreciative patrons courtside, beige patches of worn-out grass stretching ever further along the baseline. Djokovic in that bubble that great sportsmen can sometimes create around themselves, his shot-making instinctive, his decision-making instant and accurate, the confidence absolute and entirely justified. * Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 4-1 Tsonga
Every service point now a battle for Tsonga. Djokovic's returning is of the highest order - forget his struggles against Marcos Baghdatis in the third round and Bernard Tomic in the quarters, for he is now coasting along at the very top of his game. Tsonga, so strong mentally and physically against Federer in his five-set quarter-final triumph, is looking lost and confused - backhand volley into the net, double-break gone.
John McEnroe on BBC: "I like the fact Djokovic is not giving Tsonga any free points and is making him earn everything - it pays dividends. That is why Nadal is so great, he plays every point and Novak has learned from him clearly." Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 3-1 Tsonga *Who else do we have there with Bjorn? Katherine Jenkins, Denise Lewis, Sir Michael Parkinson, Goran Ivanisevic... Djokovic on the charge, accelerating through the match with the focus of a true finalist. * Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 2-1 Tsonga
At last a straightforward hold for Tsonga, but he'll need a lot more than that. Bjorn Borg there in the Royal Box, a man as deserving of that luxuriously padded seat as anyone who has ever parked a rump there. Quick request for a manual refresh to make the scores appear as they should be. Good work. Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 2-0 Tsonga *
Tsonga's stats on a steady downward slide; his first serve percentage is down to 61%, and he's now hit 15 unforced errors to Djokovic's four. Novak holds with ease, his seeming supremacy stilling the spectators' early ardour. * Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 1-0 Tsonga
Djoko, angular features poking out from under the peak of his white cap - that first-set steal has poured nitrous into his tank, and he is charging around court with pace and precision - break point, won with nerveless elan as Tsonga's broad shoulder slump. Fists waving in the Djoko VIP seats.
FIRST SET Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) Tsonga
Djoko the coming man, Tsonga on the semi-slide, but the big man is made of strong nerves and muscle. Thunderbolt serve, forehand battered towards the corner but into the highest part of the net. Djoko charges the net off a deep approach to force another error before a 16-shot rally of frightening intensity ends with Tsonga flailing into the net - 4-2, to 6-3 as backhands drift just long. Tsonga finds the corner with his first serve and comes in to kill a nerveless volley, and he'll look to repeat that on the next... no! Crashes into the net, and Novak - a break down and wobbling - has picked his pocket. Djokovic 6-6 Tsonga
Tsonga's first serve percentage has now dropped to 67%, and Djokovic is enjoying his second serve - he's winning 60% of points off it. Tsonga clunks a tough half-volley into the net for 15-30, Djoko prowling the baseline like a hungry hyena with the smell of fresh meat in his nostrils. Overhead put-away for 30-30, big serve for 40-30. Feeble second serve, but the fieriest of forehands follow - too much too often for Djoko, and into a tie-break we will go. Djokovic 6-5 Tsonga *
The momentum has swung. Tsonga's level has dropped just a fraction, Djokovic's has upped. Wondrous stop-volley - another inch and it would have stopped on the tape, an inch further on and it was out. Tsonga not happy at al - there's a Gallic rant to our umpire at the changeover, and he must now hold to stay in the set. Pressure. * Djokovic 5-5 Tsonga
So, this for the set. Djokovic launches himself into the fray - wonderful forehand pass, the movement suddenly there, the Tsonga tserve buckling. Three break points.... Better serve, one saved. Fabulous pick-up on the half-volley - up and over the net to die on the turf - 30-40. Big serve... deuce! The crowd respond with finger-wags and fist-pumps. Second serve - Lordy, he crashed that down at 130mph, and the gamble failed - fourth break point. French forehand... long! Break stolen back at the most opportune time, and the no.2 seed is bang back in this.
I'm hearing that Tsonga has saved 34 of the 38 break points he's faced in these championships. Ballons de steele. Djoko holds to 15, his crisp white shirt unblemished but his forehead creased with concern. Sir Cliff Richard back there in the Royal Box, wearing the sort of tartan suit that Chris Evans used to sport on Don't Forget Your Toothbrush. Little bit Bay City Rollers too. Retro from the British Elvis. 
Tsonga has only lost four service games all fortnight, but that backhand error could cost him here - two break points. Djoko nods at his team in the VIP seats and tears into his rival's serve - all over the point, simple forehand to be put away for the gam... he's missed it! What a chance - Tsonga can't quite believe it, Djoko certainly can't. He looks back at his team open-mouthed; that's the sort of error to haunt a man for the rest of his grass-court career. Tsonga with the big serves - reply into the net, repeat of that, break maintained... Djokovic 3-4 Tsonga *
This firecracker of a match hardly requires any more heat, but that last point delivered it - the crowd on its feet, Tsonga waving his arms around like a backstroker. In that single moment the Frenchman guaranteed himself the support of all but the born and bred Serbians courtside. Djoko holds, the serve smooth, the groundstrokes clean, but he'll have to do this against 15,001 people now.
There's a glimmer here for Djoko after a blistering return of serve back past Tsonga's shins makes it 30-30 and a first serve at 135mph just misses down the middle. Second serve... no, the return too feeble, and Tsonga can put that away for 40-30. Here we go - the pace of the rally suddenly accelerating, Djoko flicking a forehand past Tsonga for - no, he's dived and made it - Djoko will surely put this awa... Tsonga! Oh my - how did he make that? One moment prone, the next mid-air to slap away a winner. Extraordinary point... 
Djokovic's first serve starting to rumble now too - 71% of first serves landing, 83% of points when it does going the Serb's way. His second serve is the early weakness - he's winning just 20% on it. Hold to 15, waters glugged and brows mopped as they breath hard at the changeover.
Tsonga landing 76% of his first serves - he's been around 70% throughout the championships - and that will give Djokovic headaches all day long. Second ace to maintain his break, and the 26-year-old has come out punching.
There was also a feeling that Tsonga might be the more nervous of the two - Djokovic has been in 11 previous Grand Slam semis, his opponent only two, and Tsonga took two sets to find his range in the quarter-final triumph over Federer. But Djokovic, we should remember, has been dismantled in his two previous Wimbledon semi-finals - by Nadal in 2007, when hampered by injury, and this time a year ago when Tomas Berdych thrashed him in straight sets. First ace from Djokovic to seal his first game. * Djokovic 0-2 Tsonga
There's an assumption that Djokovic must be the favourite for this - he's the world number two, verging on one, and has only lost one match all year (Federer, French Open semis). The head-to-heads tell a different tale: Tsonga leads the seven-match rivalry 5-2, although this is the first time they've met on grass. Aces from the Frenchman get him out to 40-15, only for misjudged drop-shots and a backhand slice long to haul him back to break point. Big serve, big serve, sparks in the tinderbox snuffed out. Djokovic 0-1 Tsonga*
Bright sunshine, deep blue skies, white clouds of benign fluffiness; you'd tweak nothing at all about today. Djokovic the first over the top, and Tsonga is there to meet him - splendid drop-shot, Djokovic left split-legged like a brush-haired Bambi. Wonderful forehand and volley-volley combo from the big Frenchman, and he'll have an early beak point here - slicing forehand like a table-tennis player, Djoko tight in the shoulder... long! Early break, and if this is the standard of tennis we're going to enjoy this afternoon, cancel everything else in your world. * denotes next server 1303: An atmosphere around Centre Court to savour - hands being rubbed together, cheeks puffed out, legs being shaken. We're good to go. 1259: There is, and it's not just Garry Richardson - here come our first two white-clad gladiators... 1255: Do afternoons of sport get much better? While you muse, do me a quick manual refresh of this page to allow everything to look as it should before we begin. Hello - is there movement in the doorway leading from locker-room to court?
1250: OK, it's all too much for me so I'm handing over to Cool Hand Tom (Fordyce) for the real action. If you want to follow 5live then refresh the page now and you can access it here, and there's a final chance to test out the BBC online HD trial above. And the best of British/Spanish/French/Serbian to you all... 
From jack (not telling you my work) via text: "just sat at work now, timed my lunch break for 1pm to get to the pub and watch an hour of the semi-finals. well, I say an hour...."
1218: Broady makes a good start, holding serve to 30, and there's a decent crowd on Court Three. No pressure, Liam. Meanwhile, Petra Kvitova has been speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow's final against Maria Sharapova. "Hopefully, being left-handed will be an advantage and I'll try my best with the serve. My serve will be an advantage, for sure. It's grass and I love the grass and my game is good for the grass. I won't do anything special today, I'll just practice and go out for dinner later. Of course, I have something to lose but I'm just going on the court to win. I'm going to stay positive. It's good for her (Sharapova) that she has experience from 2004, but it will be different match and a different opponent." 
From anon (sensibly) via text: "In a biology lesson, all I'm thinking about is Murray v Nadal!
From Alex via text: "Dreamt that Nadal had to retire with Murray two sets up. The match did take place in my back garden though, so might not be an accurate prediction."
From Kara via text: "Heart wants Rafa to win. I've got so much admiration for him- on and off court. I have a feeling I may be heartbroken by the end of the day. Finish work at 1pm- then home to watch from behind my eyes!"
1041: When a colleague decides to tell me about the tennis-related dreams he's been having, I expect a charming anecdote to share with you all. What follows is unrepeatable and relates to this great game in only the crudest manner. Anyone out there so obsessed with this fortnight they're having actual (publishable) dreams about Wimbledon? 1035: The gates are open and it's a pretty sure thing that the hill (add name as required) will be the destination for many, although it might be worth a swing past Court 16 where Djokovic is currently practising. Nadal will be on Court 16 at 1130 BST, and Murray on Court 17 at 1200 BST. Tsonga has been out at Aorangi since 1000 BST. He's almost as keen as BBC Sport's David Ornstein, who will be tweeting furiously from courtside. 
0959: Commentary Box Four is abuzz already, predictions are flying around, wild claims of insider knowledge. We know nothing, so help us out and tell us what on earth is going to happen this year. We've been asking the experts their view on Murray v Nadal and here's a sample from the Briton's ex-coach Brad Gilbert: "The way both of them have been playing, hopefully we get five sets. Rafa always finds a way, he's a great mid-match adjustment player. Murray has to play his A+ game. The key elements for Murray are the start and the serve. Murray had his finest clay court season, but he's up against a guy who's one of the best of all-time. It's rare that both guys play A+, but when Rafa plays his A+ game he is unbeatable." 
All times in BST
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