The Scot, a two-time Grand Slam winner, triumphed 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 against his Swiss opponent to set up a meeting with world number one Novak Djokovic, who beat Austria’s Dominic Thiem in straight sets earlier in the day.

Victory for the 29-year-old second seed sees him become the first British man to reach a French Open final since Bunny Austin in 1937 and one of only 10 men to have reached the final of all four Grand Slam tournaments in the Open era.

"I'm extremely proud," said the former Wimbledon and US Open champion. 

"I never expected to reach the final here, I always struggled on the clay.

"I hope I can put on a good match on Sunday (June 5)."

Wawrinka came into the clash on the back of a 12-match winning streak at the French Open and came close to registering a break in his opponent’s opening service game.

Murray managed to hold, however, and after breaking Wawrinka in the third game, he went on to close out the first set 6-4.

A superb second set saw Murray double his advantage and although Wawrinka broke in the 10th game of the third to take the match to a fourth, it merely delayed the end of the 31-year-old’s title defence.

Djokovic reached his fourth French Open final with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win over Thiem, who was competing in his first Grand Slam semi-final.

The Serb, 29, has now made six consecutive Grand Slam finals and is one victory away from completing the set of all four major titles.

Murray has met Djokovic in six previous Grand Slam finals, winning two and losing four.

In the women’s draw, top seed and defending champion Serena Williams beat unseeded Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens 7-6, 6-4 to set up a final against Spain’s Garbiñe Muguruza.

The 34-year-old American began the match amid rumours of a thigh injury, and despite failing to produce anything near her best form against Grand Slam semi-final debutant Bertens, she came on strong towards the end of both sets.

Victory moves the three-time French Open winner a step closer to matching the Open era record Grand Slam haul of Germany’s Steffi Graf, who has 22 titles to her name.

Williams will be just two behind all-time leader Margaret Court of Australia if she can overcome fourth seed Muguruza in tomorrow’s final.

The 22-year-old Spaniard set up a repeat of last year’s Wimbledon final, which she lost against Williams in straight sets, with a 6-2, 6-4 win against 2010 finalist Sam Stosur of Australia.

Muguruza is the first woman from her country to reach the final at Roland Garros since Conchita Martinez in 2000.

"Emotions can sometimes be bad when you make a final," said Muguruza.

"Sometimes you just have to stay calm, prepare yourself as best you can and play with no regrets."