Jamie Murray one win away from British grand slam record

Jamie Murray is one victory away from becoming Britain’s most successful grand slam player of the Open era.

Murray and partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands reached the mixed doubles final at the Australian Open in the early hours of Friday.

If the British-American duo win on Saturday, Murray will claim his eighth slam title, moving him clear of Virginia Wade, with whom he currently holds the national record.

“I didn’t know that,” said the 33-year-old. “It’s not something I’d ever thought about but I guess that’s a cool record to have. But I’ve not done it yet.”

Murray and Mattek-Sands, who have won the US Open mixed title together the last two years, benefited from the roof being closed over Rod Laver Arena thanks to the extreme heat rule as the temperature topped 40C.

They faced wild card Australian pair Astra Sharma and John-Patrick Smith and came through 6-3 7-6 (4) to set up a clash with fifth seeds Barbora Krejcikova from the Czech Republic and Croatian Nikola Mektic on Saturday night.

Murray said: “We lost to them last year in a tough match so we had the bit between our teeth today, the chance for a bit of revenge. There was a lot on the line. For us to be in the final is really exciting.”

The Scot currently has two men’s doubles titles, from here and the US Open in 2016, and five mixed doubles titles.

After winning Wimbledon with Jelena Jankovic in 2007, he collected back-to-back titles with Martina Hingis at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2017 as well as his New York double with Mattek-Sands.

Murray’s success means British players could win two of the major titles here. Joe Salisbury will contest the men’s doubles final on Sunday alongside his American partner Rajeev Ram.