Andy Murray has had a flair for the dramatic in 2023. His win on Wednesday in Doha was no different.
The former World No. 1 clawed past two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-5 after a gruelling three hours and three minutes to reach the quarter-finals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
“It makes a big difference for the players when we come and get a lot of energy and a great atmosphere from the crowd,” Murray said after the match. “Hopefully that continues the rest of the week, but I obviously enjoyed playing in that atmosphere tonight.”
Murray was twice two points from defeat when he served to stay in the match at 4-5 in the third set. In those pivotal moments, the 35-year-old took the initiative. Either he was going to stay alive, or he was going to go down with the points on his racquet.
After surviving the 10th game of the decider, Murray broke former World No. 2 Zverev in the next game when the German missed a neutral backhand long. Throughout the clash, Murray was demonstrative, both positively and negatively. But when he earned the crucial service break, the Scot quietly pumped his fist towards his player box, which included Mark Hilton and mother Judy Murray.
Murray did not waste his opportunity to earn another scintillating win in Doha. He closed out his triumph with a backhand winner before embracing Zverev at the net.
In the first round, Murray was also made to work hard to battle past Italian Lorenzo Sonego in a final-set tie-break. The former World No. 1 will next play French qualifier Alexandre Muller, who upset eighth seed Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 6-4.
“Not so familiar, but he’s obviously had a good week this week coming through qualifying. He will have played four matches now, so obviously likes these conditions,” Murray said. “My coach will obviously watch video and stuff tonight to get a bit more familiar with his game, but it’s an opportunity for me in the quarters tomorrow and time to rest up and get ready for that one.”
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In the last match of the day, third seed Daniil Medvedev eliminated British qualifier Liam Broady 6-4, 6-3. Medvedev will next face Australian Christopher O’Connell, who upset defending champion Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.
“I saw they were in the third set when I came on, so I didn’t know who won,” said Medvedev, who won their only previous ATP Head2Head clash in the second round of the 2020 US Open. “Big win for him against Roberto. I didn’t see the match. I know that he can play well, so have to play my best tennis to try to win tomorrow.”
It was a solid performance for Medvedev against Broady, who triumphed at an ATP Challenger Tour title earlier this month in Lithuania. The third seed had one hiccup when he let slip a break advantage in the first set, but he immediately retrieved it. The match was tougher than the scoreline implies, with the lefty Broady playing fearless tennis, but Medvedev always seemed in control.
“Never easy to come from [an] indoor hard-court tournament to outdoors. Was feeling pretty tough on the court You’re alway a little bit rusty [making the transition],” Medvedev said. “Happy to win and happy to be through in the next round.”
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