Andy Murray dismantled world No 1 Roger Federer in straight sets in the semi-final to continue his remarkable winning run at the Shanghai Masters.
The two-time defending champion made it into another final at the tournament following a high-class display in a 6-4 6-4 win.
The Scot, who has never lost in Shanghai, returned superbly to set up a title match with Novak Djokovic, the man he beat to win the US Open last month.
Shanghai surprise: Murray marches on to the final after disposing with Federer
The world number three kept his focus amid some confusion at the start of the second set. He saw six break points go begging and was told the roof would be closed as light rain started to fall.
As the roof was closing, Federer went on to hold his serve, but the rain quickly stopped, the roof reopened before it could shut fully and the Swiss then had no answer to Murray's power and accuracy.
The rain returned before Murray served for the match and the roof was closed completely this time. A substantial delay led to both players going off court, but it could not derail the Scot as he closed out the match on his return.
He started like a train, breaking in the opening game of the match with some booming shots.
Federer, though, responded in kind, levelling the scores after his opponent had fought back from 0-30 down to 30-30 only to surrender the game with a weak unforced error.
Murray had another chance to break in game three, but the Swiss dug in to hold. The world number one was threatening to find his rhythm, but Murray was also looking strong and a huge forward winner which wrong-footed Federer helped him get back to 2-2.
Break in play: Rain caused havoc with the match which was eventually won by the Scot
And he then raced into a 0-40 lead before a Federer double fault gave him a second break.
Four successive holds gave Murray the chance to serve for the set at 5-4 and he did so with little fuss.
The game of the match came at the start of the second set, both for drama, confusion and controversy. Murray carved out six break points thanks to some superb returning and stunning passing shots, only for Federer to save each one.
At deuce number seven, Federer pointed out to the umpire drops of rain were starting to fall and claimed the court was becoming slippery.
Federer got his wish for the roof to be closed, much to Murray's apparent frustration, perhaps a reminder of the Wimbledon final when he lost to Federer under the Centre Court roof.
Play continued while the roof was closing and Murray got a seventh break point, only for Federer to save it at the end of a truly incredible, marathon point.
Both players looked certain to win it at one stage only for their opponent to somehow stay alive before Federer finally ended it with a cute drop shot which Murray, for once, was just unable to get to.
Put it there: Federer congratulates Murray who is yet to be beaten in Shanghai
Heavens above: Murray was made to wait top complete the victory over the world No 1
And the Swiss then sent down an ace to hold for 1-0.
As the rain relented, Murray got the good news the roof would open again and he made it 1-1. Both players held for 2-2 before the Scot got his nose in front again, breaking for a 3-2 lead.
Murray consolidated his advantage to go 4-2 in front and maintained that break. There was yet more confusion and a long delay while the roof was closed properly before Murray was finally given the chance to serve out the match, which he did on his first match point.
Earlier, Djokovic was in dominant form as he beat Tomas Berdych. The Serbian broke early in each set and, despite a brief dip in form when 5-1 up in the first, he eased to a 6-3 6-4 win.
Berdych started uncertainly on his serve and was punished as Djokovic broke to lead 2-0, before consolidating with a stylish hold.
The Czech finally found a couple of big serves to get himself on the board, but errors saw him broken for a second time in game six, although he hit back to prevent Djokovic serving out the set at the first attempt.
It never rains but it pours: The roof remained open which caused a number of stoppages
He forced him to do so again after holding from deuce and went 0-30 up with a superb forehand return winner, but Djokovic levelled with two good serves.
Berdych forced break point with a ferocious passing shot, but sent two overly aggressive forehands long to finally give Djokovic a set point, which he took.
Djokovic broke dominantly in the third game of the second set and took his lead to 4-2, though Berdych missed an opportunity at 30-30 when he sent a passing shot long, having opened the court up.
Fourth seed Berdych was angered by a line call as he was taken to deuce in the next game, but recovered his composure to hold serve. Djokovic was left to serve the match out at 5-4 and he did so emphatically to love.
Repeat performance: Djokovic beat Berdych to set-up the clash with Murray
Credit: Daily Mail
