DUBAI: Fernando Verdasco summed up the challenge of facing world number one Andy Murray in Saturday's Dubai final by claiming the Wimbledon and Olympic champion has "700 lives".
The 33-year-old Spaniard has only defeated the British star once in 13 meetings and admitted he was stunned to see the top seed survive after saving seven match points in his quarter-final win over Philipp
Kohlschreiber.
"Andy is number one in the world -- what can I say?," said world number 35 Verdasco, who made the final with a 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-1 win over Dutchman Robin Haase.
Murray, meanwhile, recovered from his Kohlschreiber epic to defeat seventh-seeded Frenchman Lucas Pouille 7-5, 6-1 in his semi-final.
"Andy was unbelievable against Kohlschreiber, but you know how Andy is. He hasn't got seven lives, he has 700 lives. That's why he's number one in the world."
Murray showed no signs of weariness to ease into Saturday's final where he will be chasing his 45th career title. He also reached the final in Doha in January where he lost to Novak Djokovic.