Wawrinka, on the other hand, has never lost a grand slam title match, having won all three of his previous finals, including the 2014 Australian Open showpiece against the Spaniard.
Rafael Nadal's forehand is one of the most destructive shots ever seen while his semi-final opponent Dominic Thiem's single-handed backhand, loaded with fizzing topspin, is also becoming one of the most feared weapon's in tennis.
However, in the quarter-finals, he dropped the first set against Kei Nishikori before his greater stamina proved decisive.
Wawrinka made his intentions clear from the off, crushing 12 winners in the first five games, majority off his forehand.
"Murray doesn't have that shot".
But he could not serve it out as Murray again showed off his remarkable defence abilities. A lot of long points.
A further break apiece followed before Murray, with his trademark defensive skills in overdrive, edged back in front for 6-5 followed by the set-clinching hold.
The third seed, who was bullish about his chances ahead of the match, surely could not believe he was behind.
However, Wawrinka quickly hit back, breaking first again for 4-3 in the second set and again in the ninth game to level the semi-final, running around a second serve to bury a forehand victor.
Cavs avoid elimination, beat Warriors 137-116
If not for Cleveland's Kyle Korver missing a 3-pointer in the final minute of Game 3 , the series would be 2-2. Golden State still leads the best-of-seven title series 3-1 and can claim the trophy at home on Monday .
Should Murray win it all in Paris this week, he would be just a step away from completing a career Grand Slam. "When you play a player like Andy Murray, you know that you can dominate the games, but he's still going to be there".
In 14 of their 17 meetings, the victor of the opener had gone on to win the match but Wawrinka reeled off seven straight games to win the second and take a 3-0 lead in the third.
"In the semi-final a year ago, Andy was really aggressive", said Wawrinka.
It hurts when you are just a tie-break from the final, but this has been a very profitable French Open for Murray.
Two more victories, however, starting with his semi-final against 2015 victor Stan Wawrinka, would make him the first Briton to lift the men's trophy since Fred Perry 82 years ago.
The Swiss must have been fuming but he weathered a Murray purple patch at the start of the fourth and finished the set back on top.
Resilience and bloody-mindedness allowed Murray to win a third set of rapidly changing emotions, and it was the world number one who made most of the running in the early stages of the fourth.
The prospect of a fifth-set decider had the Chatrier crowd on their feet but Wawrinka made sure it was no contest, opening up with another forehand victor down the line as he raced 5-0 clear.
Wawrinka came out the traps flying, holding to love and hitting three winners in the process.
Comments