After a disappointing first set, Andy Murray won the second round to beat Taro Daniel, a Japanese qualifier. This was his 700th ATP Tour victory.
A three-time Grand Slam champion, Murray is now ranked 88th worldwide and was playing on a wildcard invitation.
He won a gritty 1-6 6-2 6-4 victory in round one of the prestigious ATP Masters tournament.
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He won his second match in three against Daniel this year, who beat Murray in the second round in Australia Open.
The Briton then turned the tables at Doha.
Murray is back with Ivan Lendl to regain his championship form after years of injury and indifferent results.
He is one of only four active players who have won 700 tour matches.
Murray stated, “Reaching that figure is a really great achievement.”
He said, “It wasn’t easy getting there,” noting that he had won 600 matches in 2016 before his win rate was affected by injuries.
He said, “It took five and a half year to get the last 100, so it has taken awhile.”
Murray stated that it was the type of stat he would not have paid too much attention to early in his career.
He said, “I do now look at that stuff. Like how I look at other players around me, around these numbers. It gives me motivation and encouragement to win more matches and get higher.”
“Look at the top players who have done it. They are the most successful players in the last 30-40 years. It’s nice to be among them.”
It wasn’t a sign that he would reach this milestone. Daniel raced through the first set in 28 minutes. Murray claimed just four points.
Murray responded in the second, and he took a 5-0 lead before Daniel was able to hold serve.
Daniel broke his heart to him again before Murray broke her back to force a decisive set.
Daniel quickly gained the upper hand by gaining another break to love in game three, but Murray equalized the set with a break of 3-3.
After a tight hold for 5-4, Murray broke Daniel to win on his match point.
Murray said that the victory was a boost to his morale.
He said, “To be completely honest, I haven’t been playing well. There has been the physical struggle and the mental battle of trying to find my game and trying not to get too frustrated or too down on myself. It’s been hard these past four to five months.”
“It will take some time to practice on the court. I look forward to that after the Miami tournament. Ivan will train me in Orlando.”
