Andy Murray v Jakub Mensik LIVE: Qatar Open tennis result and reaction as Murray loses marathon match
The 36-year-old Brit went down in a three-set thriller to the big-serving, 18-year-old Czech star
Andy Murray suffered the narrowest of defeats in a marathon match in the last 16 of the Qatar Open as he went down 7-6 (6), 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4) to Jakub Mensik.
It was the longest match in tournament history at three hours and 23 minutes, with all three sets going to tiebreaks. Murray was on the brink of a heavier defeat when trailing 5-2 and a double break down in the final set but roared back to win four games on the spin and somehow force a tiebreak.
However, the 36-year-old Brit lost that decider 7-4 to the 18-year-old, big-serving Czech star who reaches an ATP Tour quarter-final for the very first time.
Murray had finally ended his six-match losing streak that stretched back to October of last year when he battled past Alexandre Muller 6-1, 7-6 (5) in the first round on Tuesday and was defiant last week in quelling retirement talk abut rising star Mensik held his nerve to record an impressive win.
Relive all the action from the Qatar Open below:
Andy Murray defeat to teenager Jakub Mensik raises more questions over future
Andy Murray’s future will come under further scrutiny after he lost in the second round of the Qatar Open to teenager Jakub Mensik.
Murray has repeatedly said he is not about to retire after a horror run of form but the fierce competitor inside him will not be able to put up with too many more defeats like this, at one point appearing to shout to his team: “this game is not for me any more.”
The Scot, whose first-round win over Alexandre Muller on Tuesday was his first victory since October, was beaten 7-6 (6) 6-7 (3) 7-6 (4) in over three hours by the 18-year-old. Murray will have nightmares about a volley he missed on set point in the first-set tiebreak and then the way he lost the final-set tiebreak after fighting back will frustrate him.
Andy Murray defeat to teenager raises more questions over future
Murray has repeatedly said he is not about to retire after a horror run of form
Jakub Mensik discusses his victory over Andy Murray
Jakub Mensik goes through to his first ATP Tour quarter-final, where the 18-year-old will face either Andrey Rublev or Richard Gasquet. Here’s what he had to say on court in his flash interview following the victory.
“I’m just speechless, I don't know what to say. I know lots of fans here wanted Andy to win but hopefully you guys can come out and watch my match tomorrow.
“It was a tough match today. When I was young, I was watching Murray on TV winning Wimbledon two times, so it’s amazing that in this age he is still competing with the best players in the world. He’s a great player and good luck to him in the next tournament.
“There were absolutely some nerves from me. The first set was tough conditions, the wind started and the tiebreak was not good quality. In the end, I was a little lucky.
“It was great to be 5-2 up in the third set and having the serve, so when it went 5-5, I just said to myself ‘come on, this guy is not giving me any points. Just try to stay calm in the tiebreak.’ I’m super happy I stayed focused until the end.”
WATCH: Jakub Mensik wins thriller against Andy Murray
Here’s the moment that Mensik sealed the win over Murray. What a match and what a player the young guy is.
Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 6-7 (4-7) Jakub Mensik - MENSIK WINS MARATHON MATCH!
AND MENSIK HAS DONE IT. Great serve and a couple of shots later, he finishes it. Andy Murray falls just short as he falls 6-7, 7-6, 6-7 to Jakub Mensik.
What a match. What a comeback from Murray in that final set but what a win for Mensik. The 18-year-old showed exactly why he’s a star of the future.
Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 6-6 (4-6) Jakub Mensik*
The serve is good from Mensik and now he has two match points at 6-4 ahead. The first is on his serve.
Murray 4-6 Mensik
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 6-6 (4-5) Jakub Mensik*
Mensik will sniff an opportunity to take control of this tiebreak with a min-break. No such luck on the first point as Murray comes into the net behind a deep backhand and there’s no angle for his opponent, who goes wide.
But a stunning passing shot from Mensik on the next as Murray serve-volleys but the volley isn’t great. Mensik has the mini-break!
Murray 4-5 Mensik
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 6-6 (3-4) Jakub Mensik
It’s a first lead of the tiebreak for Mensik as a first serve doesn’t come back over the ner. Pressure on Murray to hold his two serves
Murray 3-4 Mensik
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 6-6 (3-3) Jakub Mensik*
Second serve from Mensik and Murray tries to step in with the forehand but Mensik in control of the rally and Murray goes narrowly long. We’re 3-3 at the change of ends. One serve to come from Mensik
Murray 3-3 Mensik
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 6-6 (3-2) Jakub Mensik*
Murray looking to consolidate the mini-break by holding his two serves here. But first point, he’s broken back. Not a great second serve, good deep return and Murray nets. Back on serve.
Lovely response from the Brit as he finds a big first serve and then a clean forehand winner past Mensik.
Murray 3-2 Mensik
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 6-6 (2-1) Jakub Mensik
Murray went 3-0 up in the second-set tiebreak. What he wouldn’t give for that again... First step done as he dictates the rally once more and Mensik goes narrowly long to fall 2-0 down.
Big first serve out wide from Mensik and his term to shout in delight as the return is long.
Murray 2-1 Mensik
*denotes next to serve
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