MELBOURNE, Australia -- Andy Murray has reached the Australian Open final for the fourth time, beating Tomas Berdych in a tension-filled semifinal to earn one more shot at a long elusive title.
In the night match, sixth-seeded Murray beat No. 7 Berdych 6-7 (6), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5. There was obvious animosity between the players due to a coach switching from Murray to the Berdych camp.
Dani Vallverdu was hired by Berdych a few weeks after Murray cut ties with the Venezuelan after five years together.
"You wanted there to be tension," Murray said after the match. "A lot was made of Dani, my ex-coach, working with him. I felt was a little unfair and unnecessary. This is sport, there's more to life than sport. It was a little unfair and created extra tension."
There were also complaints from Berdych about the balls -- the umpire checked them, no problem. And then there was an attempt by Berdych at some mild-mannered trash talking as the players swapped ends after he captured the first set.
Berdych muttered something as the two men crossed, causing an annoyed Murray to complain loudly to the umpire, Pascal Maria. When Maria asked Berdych what he said, he responded, "Good play, Tomas. That's all I said."
Murray said he was surprised more than anything.
"He said something literally as we were walking right past each other change of ends," Murray said. "The thing is because there's cameras and microphones everywhere players don't say stuff to the opponents."
Berdych, subdued after yet another Grand Slam letdown, said he was just trying to pump himself up as he walked to his chair.
"I think I'm allowed to do that when I win a set," he said. "What, I have to be worried about every word that I'm going to say?"
Murray, the former US Open and Wimbledon champion, said the emotional reactions were understandable given the hype leading into the match.
Murray has lost three finals at Melbourne Park -- to Roger Federer in 2010 and Novak Djokovic in '11 and '13. He'll get a chance to end that streak Sunday, against Djokovic.
"Obviously losing in the finals is disappointing. But making four finals is a very, very difficult thing to do," he said. "And, yeah, I'm proud of my record here. I'll go in with best tactics possible, prepare well -- I literally couldn't have done anything more to put myself in a better position come Sunday."
Murray broke Berdych's serve in the 11th game of the final set and clinched the match with an ace.
As Murray basked in the center-court spotlight after his semifinal victory, he lauded his new coach -- Amelie Mauresmo.
"A lot of people criticized me working with her," Murray said of the two-time Grand Slam winner. "And I think so far this week we've showed that women can be very good coaches, as well."
Mauresmo smiled at Murray from his player's box and nodded, as Rod Laver Arena erupted with applause.
Murray's decision to hire the former No. 1-ranked Mauresmo in June, after parting ways with Ivan Lendl, sparked criticism from some current and retired players and the British media.
Her position was then under scrutiny in Britain after Murray was eliminated from Wimbledon and the US Open in the quarterfinals last year.
"I'm very thankful for Amelie for doing it," Murray said. "It was, I would say, a brave choice from her to do it, and hopefully I can repay her now in a few days."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.