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 4-6, 1-0 Alexandre Muller*
Can Murray hit back after that 56-minute first set that ended in defeat? Surely Muller’s level will have to dip at some point, right? Right...?
Great shot to win the opening point of the second set by Muller but with the crowd clearly on his side, Murray hits back and take the first game to 15. An important hold as he tries to take back control of this contest
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 4-6 Alexandre Muller - MULLER WINS THE FIRST SET
WHAT A POINT! Exquisite defence by Murray but eventually the brick wall at the other grinds him down and finishes it with a forehand down the line. Muller two points away from the opening set.
Murray gets on the board by coming to the net and finishing with the smash before a gorgeous whipped lob leaves Muller flat-footed. 30-30...
Serve out wide and then going back behind Murray brings up set point for the qualifier. He WINS IT! Murray nets and Alexandre Muller WINS THE OPENING SET 6-4!
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 4-5 Alexandre Muller*
Murray does what he needs to and forces Muller to serve the set out with a good hold to 30.
He was in a bit of trouble at 15-30 but dictates the next point from the baseline before a big first serve and an ace see things out. Strong work by the favourite. Muller will serve for the opening set though.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 3-5 Alexandre Muller
A gruelling opening point but Murray wins it as Muller appears to hit the wall. The crowd roar their approval. If Murray can start dominating those physical points, he’ll get back on top in this match.
The tide looks to be turning here, Muller finds the net with an unforced forehand error and it’s two break back points for the Brit.
First one SAVED with an aggressive decision to come forward and after another lengthy rally in which he digs in, the Frenchman SAVES the second as well. Murray screams at himself to “hit it” after finding the net. Muller holds on to take the game and that feels like a missed opportunity for Murray.
Muller a game away from the set now
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 3-4 Alexandre Muller*
That will help! A big swinging serve out wide for an ace gives Murray a free point for 30-15 but a careless netted backhand on the next gives Muller another look at 30-30.
The Frenchman is dictating the points at the moment, worryingly. Better work to close down the net and bring up game point but a brilliant get by Muller to dig out a defensive forehand that clips the baseline forces deuce.
Beautifully-constructed point as Murray drifts into the net to put away the backhand. Gutsy, much-needed hold for the Scot.
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 2-4 Alexandre Muller
Worrying signs for Murray fans in that he looks to be blowing hard already. Not a surprise after back-to-back lengthy three-setters in the previous couple of days. He hasn’t won a game since the second game of the match - can he restore some order here?
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 2-4 Alexandre Muller
This first set has completely flipped on its head, as Muller has racked up three games on the spin. He moves Murray side to side with pinpoint groundstrokes to move to 15-15 in his latest service game.
Murray gasping for air after another physical point sees the score move to 30-30. The Brit’s defensive work is as relentless as ever but eventually he folds and nets a forehand before leaning on his racket with fatigue at 40-30. Good response to force deuce though.
Muller does the job though and consolidates his break.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 2-3 Alexandre Muller* - MULLER BREAKS
Muller going for his shots early on here, which as world No 170 is probably not a bad plan. It’s bringing him winners but also causing some mistakes - live by the sword, die by the sword.
Murray races to a half-court drop shot after a long rally but his forehand clips the top of the net and spins out. Murray is livid as he screams with frustration.
Muller then brings up two break points. First one SAVED but the second one is taken after good work on the groundstrokes. MULLER BREAKS AGAIN!
*denotes next to serve
*Andy Murray 2-2 Alexandre Muller
That was a superbly-played game by Muller and a great way to settle into the match. He roared with delight after breaking back.
Suddenly he’s full of confidence and serve-and-volleys on the opening point of this fourth game! Finishes the point with a smash and then comes to the net to put away a forehand volley on the next point.
A relatively comfortable hold in the end. Murray needs to regain his footing here.
*denotes next to serve
Andy Murray 2-1 Alexandre Muller* - MULLER BREAKS BACK
Some positive groundstrokes from Muller as he peppers Murray with a succession of forehands before finding a winner. He gives himself half a chance by getting to 30-30 and Murray then chunters to himself as he drifts a sliced backhand long to bring up a break back point.
And it’s taken with a scintillating backhand winner down the line by Muller when he appeared to be on the back foot. MULLER BREAKS BACK.
*denotes next to serve
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