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 through to Qatar Open semi-final after battling past Alexandre Muller
Andy Murray will face Jiri Lehecka in the Qatar Open semi-finals after beating French qualifier Alexandre Muller in three sets.
Murray hit back strongly after losing the opening set to win 4-6 6-1 6-2 in two hours and three minutes against Muller, who defied his world ranking of 170 early in the match.
The 35-year-old Scot, who knocked out German fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the previous round, was forced to produce some of his best tennis again as he stayed on course for his third title in Doha.
Read the full match report:
Andy Murray through to Qatar Open semi-final after battling past Alexandre Muller
Murray hit back strongly after losing the opening set to win 4-6 6-1 6-2 in two hours and three minutes
Andy Murray beats Alexandre Muller
Andy Murray will face Jiri Lehecka in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open semi-finals after beating French qualifier Alexandre Muller in three sets.
Murray hit back strongly after losing the opening set to win 4-6 6-1 6-2 in two hours and three minutes against Muller, who defied his world ranking of 170 early in the match.
The 35-year-old Scot, who knocked out German fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the previous round, was forced to produce some of his best tennis again as he stayed on course for his third title in Doha
Andy Murray through to Qatar Open semi-final after battling past Alexandre Muller
Murray hit back strongly after losing the opening set to win 4-6 6-1 6-2 in two hours and three minutes
Andy Murray beats Alexandre Muller
Andy Murray reaction
Here’s some quickfire post-match reaction from Andy Murray after his victory.
“I had to start going for my shots a lot more. In the first set, I wasn’t doing enough with the ball, he was dictating the points and making me run. I’ve played a lot of tennis the past few months, so that didn’t give me the best chance to win. I became more attacking, came to the net more when I had the chance to step up.
“He [Muller] has had an excellent tournament, coming through qualifying. He’s had good wins over years, beating Gasquet and Tsonga, so I knew it would be a tough match. He plays very well and with more experience, hopefully he will be here more often.
[on Jiri Lehecka in the semi-finals]: “He started the year extremely well and did very well at the Australian Open. He’s one of best young players on the tour. A great ball-striker, so it will be a big test for me but hopefully I can put in a good performance.”
Andy Murray 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 Alexandre Muller - MURRAY BEATS MULLER IN THREE SETS
This will surely be the final game of this match. Murray has looked untouchable on serve in this deciding set.
It’s ruthless from the Brit as he cruises into a 40-0 lead to bring up three match points. It’s there! A deep backhand can’t be returned, seals the victory and brings Muller’s career week to an end.
MURRAY BEATS MULLER 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 TO REACH THE QATAR OPEN SEMI-FINALS.
*Andy Murray 4-6, 6-1, 5-2 Alexandre Muller
To his credit, Alexandre Muller still in there fighting. An amazing point at 15-15 ends with the Frenchman digging out a backhand winner down the line.
Murray’s stunning return makes it 30-30 but good work by the underdog moving him side to side brings up game point before a crunching cross-court forehand at least makes Murray serve out the match
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 4-6, 6-1, 5-1 Alexandre Muller*
Murray has stepped it up and shown his enduring quality in these last couple of sets. He looks too good for Muller now and the expected gap between a three-time grand slam winner and the world No 170 is starting to appear.
The Murray serve suddenly looks too big for his opponent. Opens with an unreturned first serve and some powerful groundstrokes put him in control of pretty much every point. A hold to love.
He’s now just a game away from winning this match...
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 4-6, 6-1, 4-1 Alexandre Muller - MURRAY BREAKS AGAIN
Another long rally goes the way of Murray and you can almost visibly see the confidence seeping out of his opponent. Good battling by Muller though as he hangs in rallies to win a couple of points.
Battles his way to 40-30 when Murray goes narrowly wide with a backhand but a sublime return of serve from the Brit gets it to deuce.
Patience from Murray, slices and sweeps while picking his spot to earn a break point for a double break. Mammoth rally, great defence by Muller as he keeps replying to Murray’s powerful groundstrokes and it’s SAVED as Murray shanks wide.
Another break point with a powerful passing shot that can’t be returned and this time the 35-year-old takes it! Muller nets and MURRAY HAS A DOUBLE BREAK!
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 4-6, 6-1, 3-1 Alexandre Muller*
“COME ON”s and fist pumps aplenty now for Murray who is getting fired up. The first grunts of frustration coming back from the other end of the court as well.
Murray races into a 40-0 lead with a big ace and then does the same in the other court. A love hold in absolutely no time, break consolidated. Murray looking to get this match done
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 4-6, 6-1, 2-1 Alexandre Muller - MURRAY BREAKS!
Murray is cooking now. Stunning forehand pass down the line, on the run gets the crowd excited and takes him to 0-30. Muller’s back is against the wall here.
Good work to earn two break points. And he only needs one! Mistake on the forehand by Muller who is struggling with the number of balls Murray is getting back in court and MURRAY BREAKS!
*denotes next to serve
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