Wawrinka fights back to reach French final

Stan Wawrinka has broken down Andy Murray's formidable defences to reach the French Open final, twice coming from a set down to win a high-octane contest 6-7 (7-6) 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-3) 6-1.

The Swiss 2015 champion hit a staggering 87 winners as he avenged last year's semi-final defeat by the world No.1 to set up a final against nine-time champion Rafael Nadal or Austrian wunderkind Dominic Thiem.

Murray absorbed everything Wawrinka threw at him for most of the four hour and 34 minute match but after winning a tense fourth set Wawrinka steamed ahead in the decider as Murray's armour was finally pierced.

Third seed Wawrinka, who had not dropped a set on the way to the semis, wavered slightly when dropping serve at 5-0 but broke straight back to claim victory with a flashing backhand.