Andy Murray was Friday attempting to become the first British man in 74 years to reach the Wimbledon final, an event so rare that Centre Court tickets were being sold for up to £4,500 (6,992 dollars).

Murray survived a gruelling examination from Spain's David Ferrer to reach the semifinals for the fourth successive year with a 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory onWednesday.

The 25-year-old Scot, who has lost in his three previous semifinals at the All England Club, tackles France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga bidding to be the first Briton since Bunny Austin in 1938 to reach the championship match.

French fifth seed Tsonga reached the semifinals on Wednesday with a 7-6 (7/5), 4-6,7-6 (7/3), 6-2 win over German 27th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber.

The last British man to win Wimbledon was Fred Perry in 1936 and with history at stake, fans are splashing out to get a seat on Centre Court, where the roof is likely to be closed as heavy rain continued to fall on Friday morning.

Online ticket market place Viagogo said that semifinal tickets were changing hands for an average of £3,500 (5,438 dollars), with the highest sold for £4,500 (6,992 dollars).

The standard price for a Centre Court ticket is £105 (163 dollars).

Edward Parkinson, director of Viagogo UK, said: "If Murray gets through to the final it will be history in the making and we could see tickets being offered for up to £45,000 (69,958 dollars) for a pair."

Meanwhile, Tim Henman, who lost in four semifinals -- twice to Pete Sampras and then to Goran Ivanisevic and Lleyton Hewitt -- believes compatriot Murray can make the final.