"Another Houdini comeback from Sir Muzzard"- Tennis world lauds Andy Murray after 35-year-old saves five match points to enter Qatar Open final

Andy Murray booked his place in the final of the Qatar Open with a 6-0, 3-6, 7-6(8) win over Jiri Lehecka on Friday, after saving five match points.

Murray could not have asked for a better start to the match as he bageled Lehecka in the opening set. However, the Czech bounced back by taking the second set 6-3 and led by a break in the final one.

Trailing 5-3, Andy Murray was serving to stay in the match and saved two points to reduce the deficit to 5-4. Lehecka was serving for the match and had three match points at 40-0.

However, the former World No. 1 showed his resilience and saved all of them before breaking the Czech to level the score at 5-5.

The set eventually went to a tie-break and Murray won it 8-6, to book his place in the final.

The 35-year-old's performance received a lot of praise from tennis fans as well as players, past and present. Former player and coach Brad Gilbert called Murray's effort a 'Houdini' comeback.

"Wow another houdini comeback from Sir Muzzard in Doha taking out Lehecka," Gilbert's tweet read.

Former doubles World No. 1 Rennae Stubbs expressed her disbelief at Murray's win, tweeting:

"ANDY F-*KIN MURRAY! I just can’t believe he won that match!!! @JudyMurray how’s the ticker!??? Still ok????"

Andy Murray's brother Jamie tweeted:

"Andy, this is too much now."

Here are some more reactions from the tennis world:

"This is something that I haven't experienced before" - Andy Murray on saving several match points at the Qatar Open

Andy Murray in action at the Australian Open

Andy Murray has had quite a tournament in Doha. Apart from his semifinal against Jiri Lehecka, the Scot also had to save three match points in his first-round fixture against Lorenzo Sonego. This makes it eight match points saved all week.

The former World No. 1 was asked how he managed to get out of such situations. He replied by saying that saving several match points wasn't something he has experienced before, but found it cool that he was experiencing it at this stage of his career.

"I don't know, because this is not something that I have been doing, like, every week of my career. This is something that I haven't experienced before, which is really cool for me at this age and this stage of my career to have new experiences," Murray said.

The Scot will face either Daniil Medvedev or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Qatar Open final.