Andy Murray’s hopes of building on his first 2024 victory were dashed as he succumbed to an intense Qatar Open clash against 18-year-old Jakub Mensik.
Despite breaking his six-match losing streak by defeating Alexandre Muller, Murray, 36, faced a turbulent battle against the 116th-ranked Mensik, ultimately losing 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-4) in a gripping encounter.
Struggling at 5-2 down in the final set, Murray showcased resilience, retrieving both breaks as Mensik faltered in serving out the match. However, Mensik regrouped mentally, securing victory and advancing to his inaugural ATP quarter-final.
Expressing his elation, Mensik remarked, “I’m just speechless right now. It was a tough match – [Murray] is a great player, and I watched him winning Wimbledon twice on TV. It’s unbelievable that at his age, he can still compete with the world’s best players.”
Meanwhile, Dan Evans suffered a 6-4 6-2 defeat to Thanasi Kokkinakis in the Los Cabos Open’s second round.
Murray’s loss jeopardizes his ranking, with his exit from Doha set to push him outside the top 60 next week.
Despite a troubling start to the year, Murray remains resolute, vowing to persevere and continue competing at a level he believes he can maintain.
While Murray’s victory over Muller offered relief and optimism, his defeat to Mensik, although commendable for the young player, signifies another setback in Murray’s journey.
The match’s turning point came when Murray squandered a pivotal volley on set point in the first set tie-break, altering the course of the game. Despite his valiant efforts, Murray couldn’t sustain momentum in the tie-break as Mensik regained composure, sealing a memorable win.
The intensity of the match was palpable, culminating in a tense three-hour and 23-minute contest, marking the longest match in Qatar Open history.
