Andy Murray stuns tennis world with another epic thriller on Doha

Andy Murray continues to show his fighting spirit in 2023 having won his fourth match of the year in epic fashion against Alexander Zverev. Murray entered Doha off the back of his epic Australian Open campaign, which saw him win two five-set thrillers against Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

In his first match in Doha, Murray came back from a set down to defeat Lorenzo Sonego in a tiebreak in the third. And on Wednesday, Murray was pushed all the way to upset No.5 seed Zverev 7-6, 2-6, 7-5.

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The Scot won the first set, but both players surrendered serve on a number of occasions as they searched for their rhythm. Zverev had the opportunity to serve for the set, but Murray fought back and was able to win a tiebreaker.

The German responded in emphatic fashion in the second set as he raced out to a 3-0. Murray tried to rally back, but the No.4 seed lifted his game and ran away with the set.

Murray and Zverev were locked at 5-5 in the third set when the Scot used his experience as he used a stunning drop shot, before forcing the German to hit it long to take the lead. Serving for the match, Murray made no mistake to seal a win after some incredible defence on match point.

“Obviously I would like to win the matches quicker, but Alex is a top player, he's a great competitor," Murray said in his post-match interview. “He always fights right to the end - it's one of his biggest strengths - so even once I got that tight first set, he kept going for it and the third set, I was really hanging on.

"He was creating more of the chances and was the better player for large parts of that. But I managed to stay strong, kept fighting and got the break at the end and closed it out well."

Tennis world reacts to Andy Murray thriller

Murray may want to win matches quicker, but he has given tennis fans four thrillers in 2023. His mother, Judy, was filmed in the crowd jumping up and down and roaring her son on during the epic battle.

Fans continue to react to his fighting spirit at 35 years old as he continues to give his all on court. The quickest match Murray has won this year was in 2.5 hours.

Next up for Murray is French qualifier Alexandre Muller. Murray said his opponent has played a number of matches this week and will be use to the conditions.

“He’s obviously had a good week this week. Coming through qualifying, he will have played four matches now, so obviously likes these conditions," Murray said after the match.

“My coach will obviously watch some video and stuff tonight to get a bit more familiar with his game, but it's an opportunity for me in the quarters tomorrow and time to rest up and get ready for that one.”

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