Murray was pushed all the way by Thompson in a high-quality opening set, with the world number 71 winning 11 of 12 points in a three-game burst to cancel out the Scot’s early break of serve.
However, the former world number one edged an enthralling tie-break and then claimed a crucial break in a controversial start to the second set.
Thompson wanted a point replayed after a spectator shouted out during play but the umpire ruled Murray’s winner legal and – after a freak, short rain delay amid otherwise glorious sunshine – he broke serve.
The Australian lost his way thereafter as Murray broke the Thompson serve twice more, albeit while also dropping his own serve once, to seal victory.
Swan earns chance to become British number one
In the women’s event, Katie Swan – who will replace the injured Emma Raducanu as British number one if she wins the title – will meet Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer in Sunday’s final.
The 24-year-old, who beat top seed Tatjana Maria in the last eight, dropped just one game as she took only an hour to comfortably defeat compatriot Lily Miyazaki 6-1 6-0.
“Today was probably one of the best matches I’ve played in my career – it was near perfect,” Swan said. “I am really happy I was able to produce that and I can’t wait to play in the final tomorrow.”
Hopes of an all-British final were ended by Katie Boulter’s 6-3 6-2 defeat by 33-year-old Wickmayer in Saturday’s second semi.
Boulter would have been guaranteed to depose Raducanu at the top of the British rankings had she reached the final but that chance now falls to Swan.
Source – BBC Sport
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