Murray semi-final delayed by rain

1. Play suspended for the day at 3-3 in first set - rain
2. Semi-final to resume at 11:00 BST on Sunday
3. Final will not start before 14:25
4. Murray or Troicki will face Kevin Anderson for the title

No further play today

And that's that for this evening, I'm afraid. Play will not resume until Sunday at 11:00 BST which means the final will not be played before 14:25 BST. Thanks, as ever, for joining us. It promises glorious sunshine for the Big Smoke tomorrow so we'll have a bumper day of tennis as compensation for today's disappointment. Bye for now.

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Queen's

"We are looking at another official update at 18:45 BST but in my unofficial capacity I can confirm it is chucking it down. The likelihood appears to be a resumption on Sunday morning, and the final as scheduled at 14:00. Watch this space."

We've been watching space for the last hour, Newbery...

Getty Images

Is it that time already? Time flies when you're looking at the sky. "I'm afraid the rain is heavier than it was before," says Sue Barker on BBC Two. Oh Sue, we didn't want you to bring us bad news.

Apparently, officials at the club say play is "unlikely" this evening, which means Andy Murray and Viktor Troicki are likely to resume their battle on Sunday morning. I apologise for not having any solid confirmation one way or the other - but once we do we'll let you know. That's a promise.

Instead of the tennis BBC Two are broadcasting a programme featuring some guy with a flat cap clearing out a stable, pretending to be living in some bygone age... Those rain clouds have a lot to answer for.

Next update at 18:30 BST

Getty Images

Apparently it is unlikely there'll be any play at Queen's this evening - and that's not surprising looking at the coal black clouds snaking around west London. There'll be another update at 18:30 BST. We will, of course, pop up again then with the latest news.

I could easily waffle for hours and hours about nothing much at all, but I'll spare you pain and return when we have an update on when play will resume. If it will at all. Apocalyptic skies in west London.

In the meantime, you can read about Roger Federer reaching his 10th Gerry Weber Open final. And you'll probably also have time to read about Laura Robson's heavy defeat by Daria Gavrilova. See you on the other side.

A line of muscular men drag the covers over Centre Court, which isn't good news for those of us who want to watch tennis this evening. And, ominously, the powers that be have decided to broadcast last year's Queen's final which must mean there won't be play for quite some time...

Players are back in the locker room

"Oh, I just saw umbrellas go up behind Andy Murray," says an anguished Sue Barker. And, what Sue says is true. The clouds are leaking which means the players disappear as quickly as they appeared. What are your top tips to survive a rain delay? Tweet us your thoughts using the hashtag #bbctennis - it's not as if we'll have any tennis to talk about in the near future.

Players are back on court

The players walk through the Queen's Club's corridors and emerge onto the court to the warm applause of the spectators. There'll be a quick warm-up before the ding-dong gets under way once more.

What are your top tips for surviving a tennis rain delay? Tweet us your thoughts using the hashtag #bbctennis. If you want to that is.

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Queen's

"It was his knee, wasn't it?"

"No, it was his knee first and then his shoulder…"

The rain shower gives huddled spectators the chance to dissect Troicki's injury as they head for the shelter of the bar. As and when they resume, Murray will have a sixth break point opportunity. When that will be remains a matter of some debate, with "very, very heavy rain" forecast by some, while officials stand around on an uncovered Centre Court pondering whether to get the show started again. The net is going up….

Play to begin in 10 minutes

"The court will be brushed and we hope to bring the players back on in 10 minutes," says the tournament organiser to those spectators who have remained in their seats and haven't taken the opportunity to top up on whatever tipple is taking their fancy today.

Weather forecast for Queen's

BBC Sport

Earlier, I looked at the weather forecast for west London because that's the kind of thing I like to do when I have a spare minute or two. If we're to believe what the weather forecasters say, it doesn't look too promising for the rest of the day.

Rain stops play

The players take shelter beneath their brollies before they're told to trot to the locker room. Which they do. No-one likes sitting in drizzle after all, even if it's Kensington drizzle.

Getty Images

In the meantime, Murray changes his T-shirt, exposing a flash of flesh to an excitable crowd who respond with a whistle or two. Ladies, please! Brollies mushrooming around Centre Court, but Troicki has emerged from his chair and looks fit to carry on. But will they continue? The Serb, facing a break point, shakes his head as he looks towards the dishwater sky, rotating his arm like a windmill in the process.

Reuters

Peter Fleming

Seven-time Grand Slam doubles winner on BBC Two

"It didn't appear to be that violent when it happened. For a guy with a two-handed backhand this doesn't look good. He's clearly in a lot of pain."

Getty Images

Troicki injured

Oof! Troicki drags Murray towards the tape with a feather-soft drop shot but Murray, with the speed of a panther, collects and flicks a single-handed backhand winner down the line. But, as the ball flies by, Troicki slips on the grass and stumbles awkwardly on his shoulder. The Serb's face contorts like a walnut in pain. Could his match be over? Play comes to a halt and the trainer races onto the court to assess the situation.

Getty Images

Cowboy-style whoops from the crowd as Murray delves into his box of tricks, touching the paint with two magical shots for a 30-0 lead. They're purring with delight at the sight of their man taking control of the game. But Murray misses a straightforward return, which he berates himself for, and an ill-judged lob allows Troicki to save one break point. And the Serb saves another break point, taking us to deuce. The crowd's din has dimmed. A third break point comes and goes. As does a fourth. The Serb opting to stay on the baseline, which is a questionable tactic as he balloons a forehand to present Murray with a fifth break point. Ace! A reprieve for the underdog.

Getty Images

A caveman growl from Murray as he launches an ace down the middle for the opening point. Winners are coming easily for the three-time champion with Troicki unable to trouble his opponent's serve. At 40-0, Murray has the confidence to step in from the baseline and direct a crunching forehand winner beyond the Serb. We're all square.

There have been hints that this match could explode into Technicolor but, so far, we've only got glimpses of sparkle to sate us on a grey summer's day. Troicki has decided the best way to challenge Murray is to step in from the baseline and prowl at the net, and it's a ploy which is working. A forehand down the line the highlight of Serb's clean hitting before he concludes the game with a cool ace for a hold to 15.

Getty Images

A still hush around Queen's Club as Murray prepares to begin his service game. The Scot waits. And waits. A dramatic pause from the 28-year-old before proceedings finally get under way. The British number one varying play nicely - working Troicki this way and that before ending a rally for 30-0 with a nonchalant volley at the net. He clubs a forehand winner to progress to 40-0 and all seems to be going swimmingly before Troicki bites back, clawing back two points for 40-30, but Murray comes up with the goods and we're level once again.

Getty Images

Aces have come easily for Troicki this week but Murray, the returner supreme, is forcing the Serb to adjust, tinker and rethink. At 30-30 the game could swing either way - flashes of fine net play from Troicki and brilliant returning from the Scot. But the British number one falters once on the forehand and then Troicki hoovers up with a rasping ace down the 'T'. Murray had opportunities in that game but, you sense, plenty of more will still come his way.

Getty Images

BBC Sport

Stats can mean whatever you want them to mean, so they say. But, from what we've seen so far this week, we know Viktor Troicki has an ace or two up his sleeve, with the Serb serving a whopping 43 so far on Queen's lightening-quick courts. Other statistics are available, of course. Murray impressive on his own serve, holding to 15 without fuss.

Peter Fleming

Seven-time Grand Slam doubles winner on BBC Two

"Troicki has a great first serve and he's quick. He's a great athlete and tall at 6ft 4in, much like Andy Murray, so we should a lot of extended rallies. He will be no pushover that's for sure."

Get involved via #bbctennis

George Sim: Well patently obvious that there's no love lost between Muzza and Troicki. Could be an interesting match!

Bob Dutton: A tough test for Andy Murray this afternoon, he's a good player Troicki. Just hope the weather holds.

It's the Serb who is serving first and he easily collects the opening two points, easing to 30-0 with a crisp drilled backhand. The underdog's movement a little statuesque on the next point, though, and he biffs a backhand into the tramlines. Murray at the net. Murray winning at the net. "Come on," whispers someone in the crowd. 40-30. The Troicki serve under pressure. Actually, scrap that. Murray slaps a backhand into the net and Troicki wriggles free.

Peter Fleming

Seven-time Grand Slam doubles winner on BBC Two

"Andy Murray is moving well and striking the ball well too. His first serve also seems to be more consistent. There are a lot of things going in his favour."

The Special One's special expressions

Actually, Mr Mourinho is at Queen's Club today and has been entertaining us with a fine display of facial expressions.

Getty Images

No way! Jose!

Andy Murray

Yes, the picture above does look like Andy Murray has stolen a Jose Mourinho waxwork from Madame Tussauds - but the Chelsea manager has been a regular at Queen's this week so the picture the British number one posted on his Instagram account is probably (most definitely) one of himself with the living and breathin' Special One.

"I haven't spoken to him long enough, but I'd like to" said Murray on Friday of his encounters with Mourinho.

"Hopefully Jose will be back at Queen's over the weekend and I'll be able to produce the goods again. And if he's ever looking for a few more goals, I normally play up front.

Will Troicki trouble Murray?

Some of you are probably scratching your heads, raising a furrowed brow in an attempt to remember all those facts you learned about Viktor Troicki back in the days when knowing all about the 6ft 4in Serbian was the ultimate party trick. It was, wasn't it?

The 29-year-old has recently moved up the rankings to 25th in the world and has won one title this year. In Sydney.

And although he shouldn't pose too much of a problem for Murray on grass, he did reach the Mercedes Cup final last week where he was beaten in straight sets by Rafael Nadal. He's in form, but is that good enough to beat the third best player in the world?

Murray and Troicki have history

AP

Andy Murray has beaten his Serbian opponent in their six previous encounters - but they've only met once since the Belgrade-born right-hander returned from a 12-month ban last July for failing to take a doping test.

Back then the Scot described Troicki's conduct as "unprofessional" and Murray stood by his comments on Friday.

"Obviously you have to be aware of what exactly the rules are," Murray said. "Like I said, it's extremely serious. If you want to protect the image of your sport, you need to understand how serious the drug testing is and anti-doping is."

Anderson through to final

AFP

As our resident Queen's Club weatherman Piers Newbery alludes to, Kevin Anderson is the man Andy Murray will face should he reach the final. The beanpole South African beat Gilles Simon 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 and did so with a stylish ace, his 34th of the match. The rapid courts of West London were made for big servers.

By the way, Murray and Troicki have appeared on court, gone through the routine of the coin toss and are currently warming up.

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Queen's

"We have already had one shock today as the light drizzle abated long enough to see the first semi-final completed. There had been hushed talk in corners of possibly moving Anderson v Simon to the non-televised Court One, should the weather window open for just a couple of hours, and playing both semis simultaneously. The South African has safely booked his place in the final, however, and can now wait to see whether he has an opponent by the end of today. It's currently an autumnal 18C, grey overheard, with a fresh breeze and predictions of rain on the way."

Murray v Troicki

BBC Sport

Hello! Welcome to live text commentary of Andy Murray's semi-final against Viktor Troicki at Queen's Club. Thanks for joining us.

There are plenty of numbers for us to grapple with because should Murray win today he'll remain on course to secure a fourth Queen's title. Victory over Troicki would also ensure the Scot reaches his 50th Tour final and fifth final of the season so, really, 50, five and four are the magic numbers.

As we all know, in De La Soul's lesser known remixed single they said four was indeed the magic number. And as has been widely reported over the years, Enid Blyton wanted to write about the Famous Four but suffered from dyscalculia. Yep, all good things come in fours. Definitely.