Andy Murray vs Jiri Lehecka LIVE: Qatar Open score and updates as Murray attempts to reach final

Andy Murray to win: 19/13

Jiri Lehecka to win: 8/13

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch a live stream of the Qatar Open match on Amazon Prime Video.

Andy Murray’s match against Jiri Lehecka is the second match on centre court at the Qatar Open, with a scheduled start of around 2:30pm GMT at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.

In other news in the world of tennis, Novak Djokovic says he is hoping for a “positive decision” after applying for special permission to enter the United States unvaccinated in order to compete in Indian Wells and Miami next month.

The US vaccine requirement for foreign visitors is not expected to be lifted before the start of Indian Wells on March 9, which means Djokovic is set to miss the prestigious ATP Masters event for the second straight year, as well as the tournament in Miami.

Djokovic was allowed to enter the Australian Open last month after the country relaxed its Covid rules but says his plans to compete in the US for the first time since 2021 remain uncertain.

“My plans after Dubai depend on the US. I’m waiting for a reply, it’s not on me. I will know soon,” Djokovic said at a press conference in Belgrade on Wednesday.

“Everything is in process. I’m thankful to the Indians Wells and Miami communities for their support. They would like me to be able to play in their tournaments. I’m looking forward to a positive decision coming soon, but it’s not in my hands.”

Andy Murray was at his imperious best yesterday when he took on Alexandre Muller of France. He fought back from losing the first set to winning the next two and booking a place in the semi-finals.

Andy Murray’s opponent today is Jiri Lehecka.

The 21-year-old earned the biggest win of his career on Thursday at the Qatar Open, where he upset World No. 5 Andrey Rublev 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach his second tour-level semi-final.

The Czech entered the clash off the back of straight-set wins against Damir Dzumhur and Emil Ruusuvuori and he demonstrated his confidence through a heavy-hitting performance against the top seed.

Will he be able to repeat that performance against Andy Murray today?

“The last couple of years I lost quite a lot of close matches, and it’s something I spoke to my team about last year,” said Andy Murray this week in Doha.

He has won three three-setters to advance to his 102nd tour-level semi-final this and believes the work he put in during the off-season has helped him to improve. “I think the work I did in the offseason on my game, physically has given me a bit more belief in those moments.

“I think when you’re in better shape, when you start to fatigue, it helps you make better decisions. If you’re struggling quite a bit physically towards the end of matches and in those important moments, it makes you maybe try and shorten the points, or play a different way, which doesn’t give you the best chance of wining.

“I feel like that improvement physically has helped in those moments.”

Andy Murray will face Jiri Lehecka in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open semi-finals after beating French qualifier Alexandre Muller in three sets.

Murray hit back strongly after losing the opening set to win 4-6 6-1 6-2 in two hours and three minutes against Muller, who defied his world ranking of 170 early in the match.

The 35-year-old Scot, who knocked out German fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the previous round, was forced to produce some of his best tennis again as he stayed on course for his third title in Doha.

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Andy Murray vs Jiri Lehecka at the Qatar Open.

Today’s semi-final match-up sees Murray looking to continue his march on a rollercoaster week in Doha.

Stick with us for live coverage of the contest.