Andy Murray sets up Dubai tennis final vs Fernando Verdasco

Andy Murray, who played a marathon 31-minute tiebreak in his quarter-final win over German Philipp Kohlschreiber, reached his second final in Dubai.

Andy Murray ensured his epic win over Philipp Kohlschreiber was not in vain as he overcame a first-set dip to earn an ultimately comfortable victory over Lucas Pouille and a place in the Dubai Tennis Championships final.

World number one Andy Murray of Great Britain returns the ball to France's Lucas Pouille during their ATP semi-final match in Dubai on Friday. He will meet Spain's Fernando Verdasco in the final match on Saturday. (AFP)

The world number one was back on court 24 hours after saving seven match points against Kohlschreiber as part of an astounding second-set tie-break that lasted 38 points and defeated the Frenchman 7-5 6-1 in Friday’s semi-final.

There were no initial signs of fatigue from Thursday’s encounter as Andy Murray mixed up his shots to have Pouille chasing shadows and race into a 3-0 lead.

World number one Andy Murray of Great Britain shakes hands with France's Lucas Pouille following their ATP semi-final in Dubai on Friday. (AFP)

But a mixture of errors creeping into Murray’s game and Pouille settling saw the momentum shift, and a stunning forehand that landed on the line brought up break point in game seven that Pouille converted to rack up four consecutive games.

Andy Murray displayed all his trademark battling qualities to come back, though, quickly breaking back and taking the set with a great backhand pass, having seen one set point go begging after playing a majestic backhand drop-shot that almost span back to his side of the court.

Andy Murray serves to France's Lucas Pouille in Dubai on Friday. (AFP)

The three-time grand slam champion - who beat Pouille three times in Masters 1000 events last year - was now in full flow and was 5-0 in the second set in no time.

Pouille avoided the bagel, but it proved a mere delay as top seed Murray easily served out the match at the first time of asking.

Verdasco in final

Fernando Verdasco of Spain serves the ball to Robin Haase of Netherlands during their ATP semi-final tennis match in Dubai on Friday. (AFP)

In the other semi-final, Fernando Verdasco outlasted Robin Haase in a 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 6-1 victory. Haase, playing at an ATP 500 event for the first time, let a 2-0 lead slip in the first set and a three-game advantage fall away in the second, though he recovered in the latter to level the match.

But Verdasco racked up a third straight win over Haase after dominating the decider and now goes in search of an eighth ATP World Tour title.