Andy Murray turned in another miracle comeback, saving five match points on his way into a record fifth career final at the ATP Doha event on Friday.
The 35-year-old who has played in only one straight-sets match all season – and lost it – relied on a career’s worth of fighting spirit and poise to go past Czech newcomer Jiri Lehecka 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (6) into the Saturday title match.
The Scot set up his second match point with an eighth ace and let out a scream of emotion as Lehecka drove a return wide.
“This was one of the most amazing turnarounds of my career,” he said after finishing his 12th set of the week.
He had three match points up 5-4, but I knew it was probably his first time serving for a final. I had to make sure I kept the pressure on him.
“It’s difficult to serve out matches like that. I have no idea how I managed all of this.”
Murray becomes the only player among the elite including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and others before to reach the Doha final on five occasions.
“Those guys have all accomplished a lot more than me,” said the former No. 1. “But this is one small win for me.
“Hopefully I can put on a good (finals) performance tomorrow. I feel alright but the adrenalin is pumping after a match like that.”
Murray, ranked 70th, has shown since the start of January that his fitness is much improved after his half-decade struggle with hip surgeries and associated injuries.
He will play his first final since June, when he lost in Stuttgart on grass to Metteo Berrettini.
The three-time Grand Slam winner rallied from 3-5 down – and breaking for 5-all with the match point saves from 0-40 – in the deciding set. He then won a tiebreaker against the eager challenger.
Murray has now been involved in four three-set wins this week in the Gulf, also defeating Lorenzo Sonego, Alexander Zverev and Alexandre Muller.
By recent standards the two-and-a-half-hour win over Lehecka was short and sweet as he improved to 6-2 on the season.
Murray last won in straight sets last autumn and owns 46 ATP titles as he heads into the final.
