Murray pulls off another miracle – after saving five match points v Lehecka

It was yet another average day for Andy Murray – playing three sets, with a final-set tiebreaker, to reach the 71st tour-level final of his career.

He will play for the Qatar Open title tomorrow after beating Jiri Lehecka 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (6).

The Scotsman looked as if he was about to enjoy his easiest day at the office in some time, rolling through the first set 6-0.

But Lehecka cut out the errors in the second set to force a decider, and Murray’s game began to wobble, much to his dissatisfaction.

The 21-year-old looked as if he would wrap up the third set and reach his maiden ATP Tour final, but Murray’s sheer redoubtability saved him five match points – two on his own serve.

In the tiebreaker, Murray seemed to roll his ankle rushing to the net on his first match point, but he held on to take the second and another famous, epic, victory.

Murray: I don’t know how I did it

Perhaps it was no wonder that he was slightly lost for words in his post-match interview.

“That was, yeah, one of the most amazing turnarounds I’ve had in my career. He had the three match points at 5-4, but I also think when I was serving at 5-3, and yeah, I don’t know!” he began.

“”I knew it was his first time serving for a final so I knew I had to try and keep the pressure on at the end because I know how difficult it is to serve matches like that out. I’ve no idea how I managed to turn that one round, to be honest.”

It is Murray’s 723rd career win, and it takes him into his first final since Stuttgart last year, where he lost to Matteo Berrettini.

This is a tournament where he has enjoyed some great success in the past – Saturday will be his fifth Doha final in his seventh appearance at the event, a record.

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