By Alberto Amalfi | Tuesday, February 15, 2022

 

Wild card Andy Murray broke four times in a row breezing by Taro Daniel 6-2, 6-2 to set up a Doha round of 16 clash vs. Roberto Bautista Agut.

Photo credit: Getty

Andy Murray wanted another shot at Taro Daniel.

Today, Murray made the most of their desert rematch with a rousing return.

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Wild card Murray broke four times in a row breezing by Daniel 6-2, 6-2 in his Doha opener avenging last month's Australian Open second-round loss.

“He played very well in Australia, he had a very good run there and was too good for me there," Murray said. "I tried to be the one dictating from the first point, and I thought I did that well.

"It was one of the better matches I’ve played in recent months.”

Two-time Doha champion Murray raised his Doha record to 20-3 setting up a highly-appealing round of 16 clash vs. second-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in a clash of former Doha champions.

In 2019, Bautista Agut beat Matteo Berrettini, Guillermo Garcia Lopez, Stan Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych to capture the Doha crown.

"I like the tournament. I think it's great for my game," Bautista Agut said. "I really enjoy playing here in Doha. I think the conditions are very nice to show some good tennis.

"It's also a very special 250 event. They always get really good players in the draw, and it's very special to be here."



No. 7-seeded Alexander Bublik continued his winning ways.

Bublik beat Slovakian qualifier Jozef Kovalik 6-2, 6-4 whipping seven aces and winning 25 of 30 first-serve points. Bublik, who toppled Alexander Zverev to capture his maiden title in Montpellier earlier this month, faces Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech next. Rinderkneck outlasted Czech lefty Jiri Vesely 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4.

Marton Fucsovics fought off No. 8-seeded Lloyd Harris 6-4, 7-6(4).