Andy Murray saved 5 match factors to beat Jiri Lehecka 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (6) and advance to the ultimate of the Qatar Open.
The 35-year-old Murray reached his first ATP Tour last since June and can face former No. 1 Daniil Medvedev.
“He’s a legend,” Medvedev stated of Murray. “Today was just unbelievable, the way he won.” Murray, the three-time Grand Slam champion who has had two hip operations, fought again from a 5-3 deficit within the deciding set. He saved two match factors on his personal serve and three extra when his Czech opponent served for the match.
“That was one of the most amazing turnarounds I’ve had in my career,” the Scot stated in his on-court interview. “I have no idea how I managed to turn that one around to be honest.” Medvedev beat second-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime for the second time in two weeks, this time 6-4, 7-6 (7). Medvedev additionally gained in straight units final week within the Rotterdam quarterfinals.
“Confidence matters, because (Auger-Aliassime) had (three) set points,” Medvedev stated. “I managed to just stay in there and it was enough to win.”