ANDY MURRAY is one match from rewriting sporting history after beating world No 1 Rafael Nadal in the US Open semi-finals last night.

The British star delivered a sensational performance, full of guts and immense class, to beat Nadal 6-2 7-6 4-6 6-4 at Flushing Meadows.

And he now plays Roger Federer in the final this evening at 10pm BST.

Murray has always been a good player. Tonight, he could be hailed as a true champion.

Murray will be looking to become this nation’s first men’s Grand Slam champ since Fred Perry won the US Open in 1936.

And if he plays anything like this, he will do it.

The sixth seed resumed the match two sets up buttrailing 3-2 — a break down — in the third after the rain on Saturday.

Both players raced out the blocks with some tremendous serving. In the first four games, just one point was dropped on serve.

At 5-4 down, Murray once again started to read Nadal’s serve and did have a break point to level.

But Nadal sent down a booming ace and then closed out the set by hooking a forehand down the line before punching the air with delight.

The Spaniard was hanging on in there.

Having surrendered the third set, Murray had six break points in Nadal’s first service game of the fourth set — but all were in vain. Nadal then immediately broke Murray to love and eased 3-1 ahead.

Murray looked in danger. But he played some breathtaking tennis to roar back and floor Nadal, who has won this year’s French Open, Wimbledon and Olympic titles.

Murray set up match point on Nadal’s serve by winning a nerve-shredding rally and then, finally, he put the Spaniard out of his misery by nudging a forehand over the net.

It sets up a mouthwatering clash with the man Nadal has deposed as world No 1. Federer. admits Murray will rise to the occasion in tonight’s final.

The Swiss ace, looking to win his 13th Grand Slam title, has lost two of his three clashes against the Brit.

He said: “I guess it’s less pressure for him to be in the final here than at Wimbledon. There’s no doubt.

“I still feel he’s maybe even better on grass than on hardcourt — so that just shows you what a great talent he is.

“I remember I came in as being the favourite for my first Grand Slam final. So that’s obviously a big difference to how he will go into the match, even though he beat me last time.

“It will be interesting to see how he handles it but I have a feeling he’s a guy who plays well on the big occasions. That’s why I need to be very, very careful how I play against Andy.

“I’m sure he will be at the top of the game for a very long time because I always thought Andy has incredible talent. He’s a great player.”

When he was a kid, Murray was allowed to stay up late to watch Justine Henin play here.

He has always dreamed of winning the US Open.

In fact, he has openly admitted this is his favourite Grand Slam ahead of Wimbledon.

And now he has his chance to live that American dream.

He loves the atmosphere of floodlit night matches here. The live music. Hardly a fan of strawberries and cream, he likes the fact the punters here can buy a half-pound burger with a massive stack of fries. And maybe a hotdog a few minutes later.

Murray won the junior title here four years ago, the same weekend when his hero Tim Henman reached the last four of the men’s singles. Yet that is where the similarities between Henman and Murray end.

There is no doubt Henman was a good player but even he admits Murray has that something extra.

He has star quality.

Sometimes, he looks as though he does not want to be on court but he is capable of using his racket like a magic wand and delivering shots that are right up there with the greatest.

When Murray is flying, as Federer, Novak Djokovic and now Nadal have all discovered, he can be unstoppable.

Murray could be nervous and freeze on the big stage. But he probably won’t.

Last week, Murray said a player’s career is defined by the way they play in the big, big matches.

And in front of a packed stadium, with all of America watching tonight, they do not come much bigger than this.

To read Charlie Wyett's report from tonight's US Open final and see a slideshow of all the action, log on to thesun.co.uk/tennis