Andy Murray recovers from mid-match wobble to reach quarter-finals of Aix-en-Provence Challenger

Andy Murray is into the quarter-finals of the Aix-en-Provence Challenger after navigating a mid-match stumble to beat world No. 187 Laurent Lokoli 6-4 5-7 6-3.

Murray had begun his campaign on Thursday with a solid victory over Gael Monfils, and backed that up on Thursday for his first back-to-back wins since Indian Wells in March. Ad It wasn't without alarm though as Murray, leading 6-4 5-2, botched his attempt at serving for the match, and had to play another set before he belatedly got over the line.

TennisMurray beats Monfils at Aix-en-Provence Challenger to record first win since MarchYESTERDAY AT 15:48 In beautiful conditions at the Country Club Aixois, the Briton didn't have things all his own way in the first set, but eventually pulled clear of Lokoli to take it 6-4. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Lokoli extending Murray into some long rallies, as the home crowd gave their man plenty of vocal backing.

Murray broke to lead 5-2, and though his opponent brought it back to 5-3, the 35-year-old had a chance to close things out on his own serve. He brought up two match points as proceedings looked to be coming to a close, but Lokoli found a second wind, forging his way back into the game and then sealing the break back with an overhead smash.

The next game was just as dramatic, with Murray not lingering on the setback of the previous game to set up another match point. Sabalenka charges into Madrid final, declares she wants 'revenge' against Swiatek The new Beatlemania? How Spain's love for Alcaraz is flourishing in Madrid He squandered that though with a netted return, and though he brought up another following the next deuce, he couldn't get it done then either as Lokoli once again covered the net.