Murray saves 7 match points to reach semifinals in Dubai
Andy Murray saved seven match points before beating German Philipp Kohlschreiber, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (18), 6-1, to reach the Dubai Tennis Championships semifinals Thursday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The second-set tiebreaker — 31 minutes, 6 seconds long — produced all the high-intensity drama tennis can offer, featuring the seven match points for Kohlschreiber before Murray prevailed on an eighth set point.
“I have never played a tiebreak that long ever,” Murray said. “I’ll probably never play another one like that again. I mean, I have been playing on the tour for 11, 12 years now, and nothing’s been close to that.”
Murray will play Lucas Pouille of France in the semifinals. Pouille defeated Russian qualifier Evgeny Donskoy, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (2).
More tennis
Rafael Nadal ran his Mexican Open winning streak to 13 matches, beating Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, 7-6 (2), 6-3, to reach the semifinals in Acapulco, Mexico. On the women’s side, American Christina McHale beat Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig, 6-2, 6-2. The fifth-seed McHale, in her second consecutive semifinal round in Acapulco, will secondseed Kristina Mladenovic of France. Mladenovic beat Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens, 6-4, 6-3.
Pro football
The Tennessee Titans agreed to a contract extension with quarterback Matt Cassel a week before he was set to hit free agency. The Titans announced the deal. Cassel is expected to help the Titans during the offseason program while Marcus Mariota recovers from a broken right lower leg.
• Ryan Tannehill is expected to be ready for the Miami Dolphins’ offseason program after missing the final four games of last season because of a sprained left knee, general manager Chris Grier said. Tannehill was able to avoid surgery, had a successful rehabilitation and isn’t expected to miss any team workouts.
College basketball
After a historic regular season, IUP men’s basketball took home a handful of conference honors. Sophomore forward Jacobo Diaz was named PSAC West athlete of the year, while coach Joe Lombardi earned his third PSAC West coach of the year honors. Sophomore guard Dante Lombardi and junior guard Anthony Glover earned All-PSAC West first and second team honors, respectively.
Saturday, IUP will face Shippensburg at 3:30 p.m. in the semifinal round of the PSAC tournament.
Boxing
The Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League will stage Golden Gloves bouts Saturday at Wolfpack Boxing Club, 1000 Gregg St. in Carnegie. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and first bell is at 7. For tickets call, 412-298-7373.