Andy Murray, Andrey Rublev Set Standard On Saving Match Points | ATP Tour | Tennis

There is nothing fairly like getting back from the brink to assert victory. Just ask Andy Murray and Andrey Rublev.

Both gamers have saved no less than one match level en path to a win thrice in 2023, a outstanding tally contemplating the season is simply greater than two months outdated. Between them, the pair is answerable for greater than 27 per cent (6/22) of all such comebacks accomplished on the ATP Tour within the yr thus far.

Andy Murray & Andrey Rublev: Victories After Saving Match Point In 2023

The most up-to-date of those unlikely comebacks befell on Wednesday on the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the place Rublev rallied from 1/6 within the second-set tie-break earlier than defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in three units. It is the third match in a row wherein the World No. 6 has saved match factors to prevail, and he later spoke of the distinctive feelings that such victories produce.

“These matches, when they’re over, and somehow you win them, it’s always special,” stated Rublev after his second-round win. “I’ve no phrases to explain it.

“One time, maybe you feel lucky, you feel super tight and emotional because you almost lose, and somehow you win it. When it happens a third time, you think now there is no chance, it is impossible, now it’s over for sure.”

Save 5 match factors in a row? Rublev types it within the second set tiebreak 😮‍💨⁰
The defending champion advances in Dubai, taking the win towards Davidovich Fokina after a 3 set thriller 💪@ddftennis | #DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/dXsWeRbux6

— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 1, 2023

Rublev’s comeback victories towards Holger Rune, Tallon Griekspoor and Davidovich Fokina shall be particularly welcome for the 25-year-old provided that he has grow to be extra accustomed to being on the mistaken aspect of such turanrounds lately.

Since 2015, Rublev has misplaced 5 matches wherein he held no less than one match level, most not too long ago in 2021 towards Adrian Mannarino in Moscow. In distinction, from 2015 till the beginning of this yr, he saved a match level en path to a win simply as soon as.

“When it never happens, sometimes you hope, ‘Maybe I will be lucky today and I will make it’”, stated Rublev in Dubai. “When you’re three times lucky, [in the] last three tournaments — Australian Open, Doha and Dubai — three tournaments in a row, it’s like, ‘How many more Christmas presents [do I have]’?”

In distinction, followers of Murray have lengthy been accustomed to the previous World No. 1’s penchant for heartstopping comebacks. Between 2015 and 2022, he saved no less than one match level en path to a win 5 instances. Only as soon as since 2015 has he held match level and gone on to lose a match — the Briton let slip seven of them earlier than shedding towards Dominik Koepfer on the 2021 Rolex Paris Masters.

Yet the Briton’s 2023 season has been dramatic even by his personal requirements. He fended off a match level to defeat Matteo Berrettini in 5 units on the Australian Open after which downed Lorenzo Sonego and Jiri Lehecka in Doha after saving three match factors and 5 match factors, respectively.

What per week it has been for @andy_murray 🔥@qatartennis | #Qemo2023 pic.twitter.com/jbZgWlywcz

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 24, 2023

“I don’t know [how I won],” stated a disbelieving Murray after his 6-0, 3-6, 7-6(6) semi-final victory towards Lehecka in Qatar six days in the past. “That was one of the most amazing turnarounds I’ve had in my career. You obviously had the three match points at 5-4, but also [two] when I was serving at 5-3, and then I don’t know.”

Murray’s extraordinary efforts definitely didn’t escape the eye of Daniil Medvedev previous to his match towards the Briton within the Doha closing. He acknowledged the 46-time tour-level titlist’s uncommon skill to remain centered till the final ball.

“It’s unbelievable [what Murray has done this week],” stated Medvedev, who finally prevailed towards Murray in straight units to elevate the trophy in Qatar. “[It’s like] as soon as someone arrives at match point, that’s where the match starts.”