Unseeded Janko Tipsarevic stunned Andy Murray (2/5 None – Number of Grand Slam Andy Murray Will Win in 2010) by defeating him 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-4 to clinch a place in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Championships.

The Serbian secured the first set on a tie-break, before Murray hit back with an early break in the second which he never lost to get back on level terms.

However Tipsarevic stole an early march in the decider and, despite failing to serve out at 5-3, he broke Murray’s serve to wrap up the win and secure a last-eight place against Mikhail Youzhny (Tipsarevic 6/5, Youzhny 4/6 ATP Barclays Dubai Championship – Quarter Finals).

Following his win against Britain’s number one, Tipsarevic said: “One of the biggest wins, surely. Murray is a contestant to be number one at the end of the season.

“He played unbelievable tennis at the Australian Open. He was one of the favourites to win the tournament here, for sure.”

Murray, who will now head to the US ahead of next month’s Indian Wells Masters, said: “It is always disappointing to lose, but I did not have much expectation from the tournament.

“I am coming from a big break after the Australian Open and was not as prepared as I should have been for the tournament.

“I was still trying out things on the court, rather than playing my normal game.”