Two points from losing, Andy Murray outlasts Alexander Zverev in Doha; Andrey Rublev saves three match points

The three-time major champion improved to 5-0 in deciding sets this season Thursday, finding his way past qualifier Alexandre Muller, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, in the quarterfinals of Doha’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

Murray came into the contest on the back of battling for more than three hours with Alexander Zverev the day prior. He began with a 2-0 lead, but soon found himself playing from behind. Murray missed two break points to draw back even for 4-4 when consecutive shots found the net, and Muller safely secured a one-set advantage in his next trip to the service line.

Resetting by taking a more aggressive stance and leaning into his backhand, Murray ensured early break advantages weren’t wasted over the next two sets. The Brit won 32 of 36 points on serve during that stretch of the contest to separate himself from the world No. 170, wrapping up the victory after two hours and six minutes.

“I had to start going for my shots a lot more. The first set, I wasn’t doing enough with the ball,” Murray said on court following the win. “He was dictating a lot of the points, making me do a lot of running. Obviously I’ve played a lot of tennis the last few days and that wasn’t going to give me the best chance to win the match.”

Murray is aiming to take home his 47th tour-level trophy and first since 2019 Antwerp.

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MURRAY IN 2023 DECIDING SETS:

Australian Open 1R: d. (13) Berrettini, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (10-6) – saved 1 M.P.
Australian Open 2R: d. Kokkinakis, 4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 7-5
Doha 1R: d. Sonego, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) – saved 3 M.P.
Doha 2R: d. (4) Zverev, 7-6 (5), 2-6, 7-5
Doha QF: d. (Q) Muller, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2

In the semifinals, Murray will face Jiri Lehecka. The rising Czech knocked out No. 1 seed Andrey Rublev, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, for his first Top 5 victory. Lehecka is bidding to reach his maiden ATP final, while Murray seeks his 71st trip to a tour-level title match.

Can the two-time Doha champion get it done in two? Murray’s most recent straight-set win came last October in Gijon, when he beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 7-5, 6-2.

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