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 5-5 Jakub Mensik - MURRAY BREAKS BACK
Another cracking point from Murray ending with a low, skidding backhand but Mensik looks like he’s feeling the pressure for the first time. Three break points for Murray, his first of the match.
The first sees some incredible defence, deep behind the baseline, from Murray but Mensik eventually saves it by putting away the smash. The second break point is taken however! Mensik skews a smash long and MURRAY BREAKS BACK. What a moment to do it.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 4-5 Jakub Mensik*
0-15 for, I think, the first time on Mensik’s serve today.- Followed by a long rally where the Czech comes into the net but after one successful volley, he nets with the second. 0-30 and a real chance for Murray to break back.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 4-5 Jakub Mensik*
Long baseline rally but it’s Murray who stays firm and eventually forces the Mensik error to bring up game point at 40-30. But then a double fault at the worst moment – second serve goes long and it’s deuce.
Wow! Murray finds the outer edge of the tramline with his forehand to bring up another game point and this time the Brit is clinical with an ace to squeeze out a hold.
Can Mensik serve out this first set?
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 3-5 Jakub Mensik
A must-hold for Murray to at least make Mensik serve this set out. A good second serve into the body makes it 15-15 before a heavy backhand, right on the baseline gives Mensik no chance.
Great return from Mensik on a big first serve though and it’s 30-30.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 3-5 Jakub Mensik
Ooof! Mensik absolutely pulverises a forehand straight down the line to kick off the eighth game. He doesn’t hang about from there and in a hot second he’s held to love. One game away from winning the first set at 5-3.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 3-4 Jakub Mensik*
Murray digs out a couple of big serves to take control of his latest service game and then picks out his first ace to hold to 15. That was the smoothest game of the match for Murray so far.
A chance to break Mensik and get back on level terms in this set upcoming now.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray v Jakub Mensik
Murray’s had his moments so far, such as this backhand, but Mensik has been superb. The 18-year-old as good as advertised and has control of this first set at 4-2, with the break of serve
*Andy Murray 2-4 Jakub Mensik
More high-quality tennis from Mensik before Murray stays patient during a long rally and crunches a cross-court winner from the forehand wing.
An ace down the tee from Mensik restores control though and he’s able to secure another hold of serve by defending the net superbly and finishing a backhand volley. Two more holds and the first set will be his.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 2-3 Jakub Mensik*
Murray is being bullied here. Another powerful Mensik forehand is too strong for the 36-year-old. The young gun showing no fear going toe to toe with a legend of the sport.
Murray resets and comes up with a big, unreturned first serve before a thumping backhand down the line earns him another point Gets out of trouble and holds to 15. Better from the Brit and the crowd show their appreciation – they’re definitely Team Murray.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 1-3 Jakub Mensik
Lovely backhand winner from Mensik, low down to his left and almost parallel with the floor. Great technique. Then steps into a forehand which he bangs into the back corner of the court for another clean winner.
Then a gorgeous volley when he ventures into the net, stretching to his right to put away Murray’s attempted pass. A solid hold to 15 and consolidates the break.
*denotes next to serve
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