Murray demands many happy returns

The sixth seed will attempt to topple the world number one for the first time on Saturday when the duo meet in the US Open semi-finals.

"The one thing that I need to improve is to return better," said the British number one, whose most recent defeat to Nadal came in the Toronto Masters semi-finals in July.

Murray, 21, became the first Briton to reach the last four of a grand slam since Tim Henman did the same in New York four years ago with Wednesday night's victory.

But if he is to equal the feat of Greg Rusedski, who was runner-up at Flushing Meadows in 1997, he must overcome the man who has won all their previous five meetings and who thrashed him at Wimbledon just two months ago.

He added: "The first couple of times I played him, I returned very well. The last two or three matches, I didn't return well at all. That's the only thing that I need to do better."

Murray, who is set to move two places up the world rankings to number four, is hoping the very quick hard court at Arthur Ashe Stadium will work to his advantage.

"The times I played him on hard courts, I've had quite a few close sets, really tough matches," the Scot said.

"It comes down to who returns better and who gets the breaks of serve.

"Normally, that's the best part of my game. The last few times I've played him, I've not done that."