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Andy Murray has created a lot of buzz with his recent high-quality matches. The three-time Grand Slam champion put on a stellar display at the 2023 Australian Open, registering epic comeback wins against Matteo Berrettini and Thanasi Kokkinakis.
After his Australian Open run, Murray earned wild card entries for the 2023 Qatar Open and the ATP 500 Dubai Open. That saw him draw level with German player Tommy Haas' record of most wild cards received - 53.
That said, Murray more than lived up to expectations at the tournament in Doha. A two-time Qatar Open champion (2008, 2009), the veteran survived four high-octane three-setters against tough opponents (Lorenzo Sonego, Alexander Zverev, Alexandre Muller and Jiri Lehecka) to make his fifth final at the tournament.
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En route the title clash with Daniil Medvedev, Andy Murray saved a total of eight match points – three against Sonego and five against Lehecka.
Speaking about Murray's recent appearances, tennis commentator Geoffrey Chizever claimed that the 35-year-old’s entertainment quotient was the reason behind tournaments offering him wild cards.
“I think he kind of admits that now too. He literally says that,” Chizever said on the Inside-In podcast when it was suggested that Murray enjoys suffering and playing miserable matches. “That’s why he gets all the wild cards.”
The commentator suggested that tennis fans were thoroughly enjoying Murray’s “value for money” play. That, according to him, is what prompts tournament organizers to grant the former World No. 1 wild cards.
“There’s a bunch of chatter out there, they are upset he’s getting all the wild cards,” Chizever continued. “Meanwhile, that’s why you pay to go and come see him play and the tournaments are the ones that handle those wild cards. So keep giving it to him.”
Chizever also expressed confidence in Murray receiving at least one more wild card this year to become the sole holder of the record.
“53 wild cards. And that ties him for the most all time. Tied with Tommy Haas. I’m sure he’s gonna break the record this year when he gets his 54th,” the commentator remarked.
Daniil Medvedev defeats Andy Murray to win the 2023 title in Doha
While Andy Murray gave it his all at the 2023 Qatar Open, he lost in straight sets against fellow former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in the summit clash. This was Murray’s first final appearance since June 2022, when he finished as the runner-up to Matteo Berrettini at the Stuttgart Open.
The three-time Grand Slam champion will now contest the ATP 500 Dubai Tennis Championships, where he was the champion in 2017. Murray has drawn World No. 11 Hubert Hurkacz in the first round of the tournament.
