Andy Murray vs Alexandre Muller LIVE: Qatar Open result and reaction as Murray battles into semi-final
Murray 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 Muller: Murray fights back from a set down to win another decider in the Qatar Open quarter-finals
Andy Murray continued his remarkable run in the Qatar Open as he battled past Alexandre Muller in three sets for a place in the semi-finals in Doha.
The Brit lost a gruelling first set in 56 minutes in the quarter-final before stepping up his level of play to triumph 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 and set up a semi-final against Czech 21-year-old Jiri Lehecka, who beat top seed Andrey Rublev in his own last-eight clash.
Frenchman Muller is the world No 170 and was playing his first quarter-final on the main tour but showed far more quality than that CV suggests as he had the three-time grand slam winner in trouble early on. The 35-year-old found his groove however and is now just two wins away from a first ATP tour title since victory in Antwerp, Belgium in 2019.
It was another gutsy performance from Murray, who won a third straight three-set contest in Doha, having already battled past world No 16 Alexander Zverev in the second round and saved three match points on the way to an epic first-round triumph against Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
Relive the action from Andy Murray’s quarter-final win in Qatar below:
Andy Murray 4-6, 6-1, 1-1 Alexandre Muller*
Oof! Big net cord to give Muller the point but Murray takes control of the game from there. He holds to 15 and the pressure reverts back to his opponent.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 4-6, 6-1, 0-1 Alexandre Muller
Muller serving first in this decider. Could that be a factor?
The Frenchman has found himself at least 2-0 down in both sets so far and is pushing to avoid the same here. He’s wild with a forehand that slams wide for 15-15, then long with another...
Good smash for 30-30 but Murray hits back and forces an early break point. SAVED! First serve down the middle is netted. But more brilliance from Murray, producing a great defensive lob and bringing up another break point.
Gets a look at a second serve... But pushes too much and thumps a backhand long. “Come on” of frustration from Murray as it’s SAVED! Good wide serve and then another netted serve sees Muller escape with a hold.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 4-6, 6-1 Alexandre Muller
That was much better from Murray and it wouldn’t be an Andy Murray match in 2023 without a deciding set! Here we go again!
All the momentum with the Brit at least
Andy Murray 4-6, 6-1 Alexandre Muller* - MURRAY WINS THE SECOND SET
A punishing rally on the opening point but Murray comes up with a brilliant passing backhand down the line as he guides it past Muller. Sublime.
Big serve for 30-0 and another brings up three set points. Only one required! MURRAY WINS THE SECOND SET TO FORCE A DECIDER!
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 4-6, 5-1 Alexandre Muller
More trouble on serve for Muller as he’s forced to 30-30 but a narrow line call goes against Murray and an unreturned serve gets the Frenchman on the board for the second set.
Murray will be confident of seeing this set out here though.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 4-6, 5-0 Alexandre Muller*
All Murray now. He’s upped the quality in the second set and picks out a winner with a well-struck forehand before a sliced drop shot gives the underdog no chance.
Big ace down the ‘t’ and another to follow is a simple hold to 15. He’s a game away from taking us to a decider after just 23 minutes of this second set.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 4-6, 4-0 Alexandre Muller - MURRAY BREAKS AGAIN
Murray moves to 40-30 as he puts some pressure on Muller’s serve and that forces an error from the Frenchman to bring up deuce.
Murray’s backhand has been exquisite in this set and he uses it to bring up break point. Patience suffocates Muller and he goes long as MURRAY BREAKS AGAIN. An all-important double break.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 4-6, 3-0 Alexandre Muller*
Murray has clearly decided to play more on the front-foot in this second set. He was ‘on the attack’ just 14 per cent of the time in the opening set apparently but already, it’s up to 34 per cent in the second.
He’s dictating these points now and the errors are coming from his unheralded opponent. Although the world No 170 still coming up with some absolutely belting shots - a gorgeous disguised drop shot gives Murray no chance.
A promising game on the whole though as Murray holds to 15 and he’s halfway to this second set already. Really putting his foot on the accelerator.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 4-6, 2-0 Alexandre Muller - MURRAY BREAKS
Aggressive ball-striking early in the second set from Murray and it’s paying dividends. Overpowers the Frenchman to make it 0-30 with a stunning cross-court backhand winner.
WOW! What a passing shot by Muller as Murray ventures forward but then he slices long and it’s two break points for the Brit.
It’s there! An aggressive return, netted by his opponent and MURRAY BREAKS. Great start to the second set, although 2-0 proved to be a dangerous scoreline in the opener...
*denotes next to serve
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments