Murray: ‘One of probably the most wonderful turnarounds of my profession,’ on reaching the ultimate in Qatar
Andy Murray faces Daniil Medvedev within the Qatar Open remaining seeking to finish an unimaginable week.
After saving 5 match factors to beat Jiri Lehecka on Friday, beating the Russian and former world No 1 will deliver the Scot his first ATP Tour title since Antwerp in 2019.
As for many of this week following a sequence of high-quality wins over Lorenzo Sonego, Alexander Zverev, Alexandre Muller and Lehecka, Murray is a giant underdog as we speak.
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, defeated Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight units within the semi-finals.
The Russian has a 2-0 profession file over Murray, each instances outside on a tough court docket, most just lately in Miami final 12 months (6-4, 6-2). Follow reside build-up to Murray vs Medvedev within the Qatar Open remaining under:
Qatar Open remaining: Andy Murray vs Daniil Medvedev
Who’s prepared for one more Murray rollercoaster then?
An unimaginable run in Qatar involves an finish as we speak, with the largest check of all.
Murray 9/2 to win as we speak, Medvedev very quick at 1/8.
If you assume Murray can save a match level AND win, properly, you’ll be able to again it at 20/1.
Jack Rathborn25 February 2023 14:39
Qatar Open: Andy Murray on the artwork of saving match factors
“There is a certain calmness to those situations because you have been in them a lot in a short period of time,” Andy Murray mentioned on these essential match factors saved.
“You know how you need to try and play and it becomes a little bit of a habit.”
Jack Rathborn25 February 2023 14:26
Carlos Alcaraz on expectation to struggle Novak Djokovic for world No 1
Carlos Alcaraz insists there isn’t any “pressure” to battle Novak Djokovic for the world No 1 rating.
“I am not a kid or a player who is happy with little things,” Alcaraz mentioned.
“I always want more, and we will look for it this week. The truth is that I don’t feel any pressure to fight with [Novak] Djokovic to be the No. 1.
“The truth is that I hope to have a beautiful year with beautiful tournaments, to be honest. I’ll have a little pressure because I’ll defend some important titles and play at a great level.
“But as I have said before, I’ll have to play match by match, enjoying it, more than having results. That is what I hope.”
Jack Rathborn25 February 2023 14:18
Novak Djokovic refuses to name Carlos Alcaraz ‘greatest rival’
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has cooled discuss of a rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz, insisting that Rafael Nadal nonetheless deserves to be his “biggest rival” on the ATP Tour.
“Alcaraz is playing at a great level,” Djokovic mentioned in Belgrade. “I mean, especially after several months of absence from the tour with injuries that he was struggling with.
“It’s amazing that he is able to find the top level right away. That is actually a characteristic of a mature player. He doesn’t have so much experience, but he is showing maturity very early on, and with the way he handles himself on and off the court.
“He is a great guy and has a very good team of people around him. He deserves all his success and he is, I think, bringing some new, fresh energy into tennis, you know. He is a very dynamic player and personality and is very liked all around the world. So he deserves everything.
“I cannot call him my main rival. My main rival is still Nadal, you know, even though Alcaraz is obviously No. 2 [in the world rankings]. He was No. 1, he has won a Slam.
“He is arguably the next biggest thing in our sport or he is already there. I just feel the rivalry with Nadal is something that is difficult to eliminate just because someone is doing great things in the last year and a half, you know.“Nadal has been the biggest rival, and he probably will remain the biggest rival I ever had in my career.”
Jack Rathborn25 February 2023 14:12
Qatar Open: Judy Murray reacts to Andy Murray’s semi-final win
Jack Rathborn25 February 2023 14:05
Novak Djokovic hoping for particular permission to play in Indian Wells and Miami
World primary Novak Djokovic is hopeful of being given particular permission to play the upcoming tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.
Djokovic is at the moment unable to enter the United States as he’s unvaccinated towards Covid-19.
But, with present restrictions as a result of finish in April, Djokovic desires dispensation to enter the nation and play the ‘Sunshine Double’.
“I’m waiting for a reply, it’s not on me. I will know soon,” Djokovic, who has not performed in America since 2021, mentioned at a press convention in Belgrade on Wednesday. “Everything is in process. I’m thankful to the Indian Wells and Miami tournament and communities for their support publicly.
“They would like me to be able to play in their tournaments. I’m very thankful for that because I have a big desire to be there, I haven’t played there for a couple of years. I’m looking forward to a positive decision coming soon, but it’s not in my hands. Right now that is all that I can say.
“All I can do is hope at the moment. My position is the same, I wish for a positive result.”
Jack Rathborn25 February 2023 14:00
Qatar Open: Andy Murray reacts to reaching remaining
“I don’t know, that was one of the most amazing turnarounds I’ve had in my career,” he mentioned.
“I knew it was his first time serving for a final so I had to keep the pressure on because I know how difficult it can be to serve matches like that out, but I have no idea how I managed to turn that one around.
“I feel all right just now although obviously the adrenaline is pumping after a match like that.
“I’m sure there’ll be a bit of fatigue tomorrow but I have a great team behind me. My physio has a job on his hands tonight.”
Jack Rathborn25 February 2023 13:50
Andy Murray saves 5 match factors to succeed in Qatar Open remaining
Andy Murray saved 5 match factors in one more marathon encounter to someway attain the ultimate of the Qatar Open.
The two-time Wimbledon champion went the gap once more – all six of his wins this 12 months have gone to deciding units – in an astonishing 6-0 3-6 7-6 (6) victory over rising Czech star Jiri Lehecka.
Serving at 5-3 down within the decider, Murray needed to save two match factors earlier than Lehecka moved 40-0 up on his personal serve within the subsequent recreation.
What occurred subsequent was scarcely plausible, even by Murray’s requirements, as he repelled all three match factors to stage the set at 5-5, earlier than beating a shellshocked Lehecka within the tie-break.
“I don’t know, that was one of the most amazing turnarounds I’ve had in my career,” the 35-year-old Scot mentioned on Amazon Prime.
Jack Rathborn25 February 2023 13:42