ANDY MURRAY reported no ill effects from Wednesday’s epic win over Fernando Verdasco and is ready to take on the might of Jerzy Janowicz in this afternoon’s Wimbledon semi-finals.

The second seed was out on the All England Club’s Aorangi Park practice courts at midday yesterday for an hourlong session with Dani Vallverdu.

Hitting partner Vallverdu served at Murray from well inside the baseline to try to mimic the delivery of 6ft 8in Janowicz, who has served 31 aces more than anyone else in the tournament.

The Scot needed almost three and a half hours to get past Verdasco, recovering from two sets to love down for the seventh time in his grandslam career.

It was a tense evening on Centre Court that no doubt took a lot out of Murray, but he expects to have fully recovered in time to face Janowicz.

He said: ‘‘I’m feeling pretty good considering, I felt good today (in practice). I slept for about eight and a half hours so that was pretty good.

‘‘Normally (a match like that) does take an emotional toll but I should be recovered by tomorrow.’’ Murray had not dropped a set prior to Wednesday’s match and was roared home by the Centre Court crowd.

The high of winning such a contest could prove a boost to Murray in his title bid but world number one Novak Djokovic, who is seen as the Scot’s main rival for the trophy, has looked mightily impressive in reaching the semifinals without dropping a set.

Murray said: ‘‘The next match will be different. I’m sure Novak is pretty happy with where his game is at just now.

‘‘I’m happy to be in the semis. Regardless of whether it’s been five sets, or the first matches were in three sets, it makes no difference.’’ Murray has never been one to hide his emotions and at the end of the second set on Wednesday the BBC apologised after broadcasting the 26-year-old’s expletive-laden rant at himself.

Using up emotional energy in that way was seen as one of Murray’s weaknesses but he has certainly become calmer on court since beginning work with coach Ivan Lendl.

Murray said: ‘‘I think I’m much better at (getting the balance right) now than I was in the past. It’s something you learn with playing matches and with age, being more mature.

That’s it.

‘‘Obviously a lot of players get frustrated on the court but you need to try and find a way to respond and not get too down on yourself. Providing it’s for a point or two points (it’s okay). But it shouldn’t be affecting me for three, four games at a time.

‘‘It may have done in the past but I don’t think that’s the case anymore.’’ Janowicz is a surprise semifinalist in some ways being only the 24th seed and a relative newcomer to the ATP Tour. Last year the Pole had to qualify for Wimbledon, going on to reach the third round, and he has enjoyed a rapid rise since then.

The biggest breakthrough for the 22-year-old was his run to the final of the Paris Masters last November, which included a third-round victory over Murray.

That lifted Janowicz into the top 30 and he has not looked back since.

He has benefited from the fall of seeds around him but was very impressive in beating compatriot Lukasz Kubot yesterday, firing down 30 aces in three sets.

Murray said: ‘‘It will be a very tough match. He has a big serve. He’s a big guy with a lot of power. He also has pretty good touch. He likes to hit drop shots. He doesn’t just whack every single shot as hard as he can.

‘‘He’s played extremely well here, I think. He had a tough match in the (fourth) round against (Jurgen) Melzer but apart from that he’s been pretty convincing.’’ Murray first played against an 18-year-old Janowicz in Davis Cup in 2009, and is not surprised to see the Pole come through.

He said: ‘‘Players have certainly been aware of him.

There are several other talented guys all around the same age like (Grigor) Dimitrov.

‘‘I’ll need to be on my game from the outset, and there might not be that many chances during the match, so I’ll have to take them when they come along.

‘‘I’ll need to return well for the whole match but it’s a strong part of my game and a challenge I’m looking forward to.’’

MURRAY'S WIMBLEDON SEMI-FINALS

2009: LOST 6-4 4-6 7-6 7-6 TO ANDY RODDICK

ANDY MURRAY suffered a painful defeat to an opponent many thought he should have beaten. Aiming to become the first British men’s singles finalist since Bunny Austin in 1938, Murray played with fervour and forced Roddick to work for every point. But the American produced one of the best performances of his life to triumph, with his serve being too hot to handle for Murray.

What Murray said: ‘‘He served really well. Hitting at that pace, at such a high percentage, sometimes there’s not a whole lot you can do with that.’’

2010: LOST 6-4 7-6 6-4 TO RAFAEL NADAL

SUFFERED fresh Wimbledon heartbreak after losing to his friend Nadal.

The Scot’s dejection was visible as he sat tearfully in his chair swallowing his defeat while Nadal celebrated.

Although the Scot put up a strong fight and fired six more winners than his opponent, he could not cope with the ability of his opponent to lift his game at crucial times.

What Murray said: ‘‘I had chances in all of the sets. I don’t feel like I played terrible. But he played great, and that was the difference. There’s a great player in the final.’’

2011: LOST 5-7 6-2 6-2 6-4 TO NADAL

THIS time Murray led, and had Nadal in trouble. The Scot seized the first set by keeping Nadal pinned on his backhand. But a loose forehand early in the second set was the beginning of Murray’s descent. Nadal seized on the sign of weakness to survive in four sets. Even though Murray felt he was playing better tennis than he had in 2010, disappointment was written across his face.

What Murray said: ‘‘It’s tough. But I’m giving it my best shot each time. I’m trying my hardest. That’s all you can do. I’m disappointed.’’

2012: WON 6-3 6-4 3-6 7-5 AGAINST TSONGA

BECAME the first British player for 74 years to reach the men’s singles final at Wimbledon with a dramatic fourth-set victory. For two sets it looked like the Scot would race through but Tsonga fought back, and it was with delight that Murray sealed his win. He then lost in four sets to Roger Federer in the final.

What Murray said: ‘‘There’s a bit of relief, excitement. It’s tough to explain, it was such a close match.’’