Andy Murray has more 'belief' in his body than he ever has in his career after Lorenzo Sonego win

Andy Murray says he has more “belief” in his body than ever after another epic win in the first round of the Qatar Open. Murray, 35, saved three match points to beat Lorenzo Sonego 4-6 6-1 7-6(4) and set up a clash with former world No. 2 Alexander Zverev.

Ad It was yet another show of resilience from Murray, who also saved a match point in victory over Matteo Berrettini at the Australian Open and came from two sets down to beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in a marathon contest. ATP DohaVintage Murray produces comeback to down Sonego in Doha15 HOURS AGO Murray, who has undergone two hip surgeries, was critical of his physical level towards the end of 2022, but looks to have put in plenty of work over the last few months to get back to his desired standard. “I have trained really well since Melbourne,” he said.

“I pushed myself physically really hard since the end of last season. Obviously, saw the benefits of that in Australia and the matches that I played, trying to carry on that path as much as I can. “Even though tonight’s match was 7-6 in the third and it was two-and-a-half hours, the fact that I was able to play for nearly five hours against Berrettini and then physically was able to manage another really long match afterwards has given me a lot more belief in my body, maybe more than I have had at any stage in my career, to be honest, and it’s because I have not had many of those experiences of playing four hours and 50 minutes and then playing another really long match afterwards.

“So that was really positive for me. So I knew physically I was going to be okay.” Murray holds a 2-1 win-loss record against Zverev but lost their last meeting in Indian Wells in 2021. Murray saves match points to beat Sonego in Doha Alcaraz