By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday February 22, 2023
Andy Murray came through a three-hour epic against a steadily improving Alexander Zverev to reach the Doha quarterfinals.
Photo Source: Getty
When it comes to Andy Murray in 2023, the old saying applies: never a dull moment.
Murray’s dramatic run of results continued on Wednesday at the Qatar Exon Mobil in Doha on Wednesday as he battled past former World No.2 Alexander Zverev 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6 in three hours and three minutes to reach the quarterfinals.
The Scot, who famously needed ten hours and 34 minutes to get through two victories at the Australian Open in January where he was eventually eliminated in the third round by Roberto Bautista Agut, has needed five hours and 33 minutes to win two matches and reach the quarterfinals at Doha.
Murray saved three match points to defeat Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round in two hours and 30 minutes in Doha – saving match points en route to victory for the second time this season. Today, Murray needed 3:03 to edge Zverev in a hard-fought battle.
Zverev served for the opening set at 5-4 before eventually dropping it in a tiebreak.
The German, who is still searching for form after having three torn ligaments in his right ankle surgically repaired last summer, dropped to 3-6 on the young season.
He showed some of his best tennis as he stormed through the middle set, taking it 6-2.
Zverev had break points in two different games early in the decider, but failed to capitalize with Murray escaping to hold for 1-1 and 2-2.
Later it was Murray’s turn to strike and he did so with a break in the 11th game for 6-5. He held serve in the next game, converting his second match point to clinch his third victory over Zverev in four matches.
Murray will face French qualifier Alexandre Muller in the quarterfinals. Muller knocked off No.8 seed Botic Van de Zandschulp, 6-2, 6-4. The World No.179 has tripled his total of tour-level wins this week, with wins over Nikoloz Basilashvili and Van de Zandschulp to take his career record to 3-5 on tour.