Andy Murray defied a knee issue to end a six-match losing streak and beat Alexandre Muller at the Qatar Open.
The 36-year-old made a quick start and took a 3-0 lead in the first set after an early break, but needed a medical timeout at the changeover for treatment on a left knee injury that had visibly been bothering him.
He overcame that though and, despite some nervy moments late in the second set, secured a 6-1 7-6 victory in just under two hours. It is his first win since he overcame Yannick Hanfmann at the Swiss Indoors on October 23 last year.
Murray reached the final in Doha a year ago and has twice won the tournament, but there were fears a frustrating season could be set to continue when, despite starting well, he called for the trainer.
Discussing the pain on the side of his left knee, Murray revealed he had been for a scan earlier in the week. He suggested that a large cyst had burst in his hip, with that potentially draining down and causing the problem in his knee.
Muller held in the first game after that medical timeout, but Murray earned the rare luxury of a comfortable set as he secured a double break for a 5-1 lead and served it out at the first time of asking.
In a tighter second set, Murray had to save two break points to hold for 2-2, before breaking in what appeared to be a crucial seventh game. That left him just two games away from victory, but Muller immediately got it back on serve as a Murray forehand flew long.
The pair exchanged holds, as it went to a tie-break. Murray fell 5-3 down but reeled off four points in a row to take victory, one that was met with an outpouring of emotion.
