QATAR OPEN 2023: ANDY MURRAY SET TO BATTLE ALEXANDER ZVEREV IN LAST 16

British Andy Murray will face fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the next round of the Qatar Open after a dramatic fashion win in Doha.

The progress took the 35-year-old to the round of 16 in a match that was decided on the final –set tie break. Murray, who got into the championship as a wildcard for the ATP 250 tournament, obviously played competitively to earn a 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4).

The match had started with Sonego delivering his shot with intense pressure that paid – off as he claimed the opening set. But in the second set Murray showed flashes of his impressive run at the Australian Open responding with two break twice before he took the last 32 clash to a final set decider.

In snatching the victory Murray had survived three match points to hold serve in the tenth game before the game went into tie- break, his momentum was better and he battled back despite losing the first set to claim victory.

At the post match interview the Brit admitted it was difficult playing Sonego as they have never played before or practiced together and that made the match tough. But after a while, he got used to his game and the challenge began to his advantage.

Murray will now face Alexander Zverev in his second tournament in a row having been part of the Australian Open Melbourne.

Meanwhile, Zverev who had recovered from an ankle injury which some pundits thought could keep him out tennis longer after ligament problems during last year’s Australian Open semi- final against Rafael Nadal. Murray holds a 2-1 head-to-head lead against the German.