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:
WATCH: Murray forces a decider
Here’s how Murray won that second-set tiebreak to force a decider
Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 0-1 Jakub Mensik* - MENSIK BREAKS!
A huge roar of frustration from Murray as he makes a mess of the next point and it’s break point to Mensik. Second serve sent down and Mensik takes advantage!
Moves Murray one side to the other and gets the break! Murray thumps the court in frustration with his racket and yells out “BULLS***”. Surprised he didn’t get a warning for that but either way, he’s a break down in the early going.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 0-0 Jakub Mensik
Mensik wins the next point and Murray fiddles with his shoes afterwards. Has that tumble done a bit of damage? Great touch on the next point from the Brit though, slicing a drop shot that has Mensik sliding and then puts it away for 30-30.
Big serve brings up game point but a good point from Mensik on a long rally forces the mistake and brings us to deuce.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 0-0 Jakub Mensik
Murray gingerly back to his feet. He seems fine to continue. May have just shaken him up a little.
First point post-tumble is a Murray serve that is returned into the net, so we’re at 15-15
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 0-0 Jakub Mensik
Oh no! On the very first point of the third set Murray goes down hard. It looks like he may have rolled his ankle? Concern from opponent Mensik and the umpire.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 0-0 Jakub Mensik
A classic Andy Murray marathon match and we wouldn’t have it any other way! After about 2 hours and 20 minutes of play, we’re heading for a deciding set in Doha.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6 (7-3) Jakub Mensik - MURRAY WINS THE SECOND SET
Murray on the brink as he goes back behind Mensik with a clean backhand winner. Five set points for the Brit!
First one saved with a big first serve and the second goes begging as well as a Murray return goes wide. But here’s the big two, on Murray’s serve...
And he takes it! Mensik has a net cord but Murray thumps a backhand that the Czech can’t return and MURRAY WINS THE SECOND SET 7-3 IN A TIEBREAK!
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 6-7, 6-6 (5-1) Jakub Mensik
Murray takes a long time with his second serve, then it’s called a let and he delivers again, eventually winning the point by coming to the net and putting away the backhand volley. A powerful first serve sets him up in the next point and he dictates the point from there, finishing it with a lovely drop shot.
A big couple of points for the Brit there as it’s now 3-0 with clear water between him and Mensik, even though it’s only one mini-break. Another break in play as Mensik has to re-lace his shoes again!
But Murray unfazed and now has the double mini-break as Mensik goes long! The Czech finally gets on the board at 4-1 but his next return hits the net and Murray is in complete control at 5-1 at the change of ends.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 6-7, 6-6 (1-0) Jakub Mensik
A long opening point but eventually Murray floats a backhand volley beyond the stretching Mensik. A much better start to this tiebreak than the first, when Murray double faulted.
A short break in play as Mensik heads back to his seat to replace his shoes after the laces on his initial pair appear to have frayed. All well within the rules.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 6-7, 6-6 Jakub Mensik*
Murray serving to stay in the match once again. Mensik starts in style with a sumptuous-looking lob that leaves his opponent stranded but lands just long.
Murray then into the net on the following point but this time Mensik delivers a passing shot that clips the outside of the line. The Czech goes long for 30-15 and Murray then shifts him around the court as he comes forward again to win the point.
Big serve is out, hold secured and we’re heading for a tiebreak in this second set. Surely we can’t have a tiebreak as dramatic as the first set? We’ll see.
*denotes next to serve
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