Andy Murray short of 700th win as Jannik Sinner dumps him from Dubai

Jannik Sinner levelled his head-to-head with Andy Murray and prevented the three-time Slam champion from winning a 700th match at ATP tour level by beating the Brit in Dubai. 

Murray overcame Sinner in their first meeting at the Stockholm Open last year and was hoping to do the same in Dubai to become just the fourth active player to record 700 tour level victories behind Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

But it was not to be for the Brit as the younger man took him out 7-5, 6-2 in convincing fashion under the sun.

“There were some nerves [today], it’s normal,” Sinner admitted after the win.

“I lost the last match against him so I tried to stay focused on my game, which worked today.”

It means that Sinner reached the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 event for a second year running.

For Murray, he will have to wait until Indian Wells come 10th March for a chance at claiming that elusive 700th ATP victory of his long and illustrious career.

On facing such a great of the game, Sinner had some words of his own.

“It’s always a very special feeling,” he said.

“Murray is a legend, winning three Grand Slams, many many tournaments.

“His fighting spirit is incredible so obviously I wish him the best of luck.”

Sinner takes on Hubert Hurkacz next after the Pole ousted lucky loser Alex Molcan in straight sets.

The two have split their head-to-head 1-1, with Hurkacz defeating Sinner in the Miami Masters final last year before the Italian returned the favour in Turin in the group stage of the ATP Finals.

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