Andy Murray claims latest epic deciding-set victory over Jiri Lehecka to reach Qatar Open final

Britain’s Andy Murray saved five match points as he defeated surprise Australian Open package Jiri Lehecka 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (6) in another thrilling decider as he reached the Qatar Open final.

Murray couldn’t have made a stronger start to the match as he comprehensively caught the rising Czech star and looked like he would storm away with a one-sided victory.

Lehecka eventually settled into the match well, racing to 4-0 with a dominant double break in set number two as he turned the tables on the Brit, who was belatedly able to find an answer.

But the 21-year-old failed to serve for his place in the finals of the ATP 250 event when it almost looked like a technicality as Murray characteristically roared back to set the final set in a tiebreak.

Murray will next face off against either Daniil Medvedev or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the tournament’s showpiece.

The 35-year-old, who is targeting a strong return to the French Open this year, will have been bolstered by his progress in Doha as he continues his quest to climb into the top 32 of the ATP rankings to try and secure himself a seeding at the second Grand Slam of the season – at Wimbledon.

“I don’t know [how I won]’ said a stunned but delighted Murray after the match. “It was one of the most amazing turnarounds I’ve seen in my career.

“Of course you had the three match balls when the score was 5: 4, but also [two] when I served at 5-3, and then I don’t know.

“I knew it was his first time serving for a final so I had to try and keep the pressure up at the end. I know how difficult it is to serve up matches like this, but I have no idea how I managed to pull off that one round, to be honest.”

“This tournament has had a lot of great players over the years,” said Murray when asked about the fact that he has now reached a record-breaking fifth Doha final.

“Federer played a lot and people like Roddick and Nadal, Novak played. These guys obviously achieved a lot more than me but that’s a small win I can have over them so hopefully I’ll enjoy this evening as I can tomorrow show a good performance.”

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