Andy Murray vs Daniil Medvedev LIVE: Qatar Open result and reaction
Murray’s wait for a first ATP Tour title since Antwerp in 2019 goes on after Medvedev secured back-to-back wins in Doha
Daniil Medvedev maintained his winning roll to beat Andy Murray in the Qatar Open final and claim his second title in successive weeks on Saturday.
Veteran Murray, bidding for his 47th career title but first since 2019, pushed the Russian hard but succumbed 6-4 6-4 in a battle of former world number ones.
Medvedev also triumphed in Rotterdam last week and now has 18 Tour-level titles in his locker.
He started strongly and was immediately into his baseline rhythm to win the majority of the long exchanges, moving into a 4-1 lead with two breaks of serve.
Murray, who saved five match points on Friday against Jiri Lehecka to reach his 71st ATP final, also fell behind in the second set but hit back with a break of serve.
The British three-times Grand Slam champion had the momentum at 4-4 40-0 but Medvedev suddenly rediscovered his brick wall-like resilience to reel off five successive points, sealing a crucial service break as Murray over-cooked a volley.
Former U.S Open champion Medvedev double-faulted on his first match point in the following game but a superb lob completed the job when he had another opportunity soon afterwards against a weary-looking Murray.
“It was a very tough match because it was windy and we struggled for rhythm,” world number eight Medvedev said on court. “Today was a big fight. Sometimes we were both playing bad, sometimes we both played well.”
For Murray, 35, it was his fourth ATP final since returning to the tour after having hip surgery in 2018 and, while he has lost three of those, he remains a force to be reckoned with.
Qatar Open: Andy Murray *4-6, 1-3 Daniil Medvedev
So unlucky! Murray is ready to pounce and move to 0-30, but a little flick off the top of the net catches him off guard. 15-15, Medvedev apologises.
Every chance Murray has, Medvedev is quick to find a great first serve, 30-30.
But that was wayward from the Russia, 30-40...
Murray ready to celebrate, but NO!
Medvedev’s backhand pass, cross court, silence in Doha, it’s sublime, a one in 20 shot perhaps.
And then Murray smashes the net with the volley after coming in. No composure for Murray here.
Too good from Medvedev, he smashes a backhand down the line, another winner and the gap widens again.
Qatar Open: Andy Murray 4-6, 1-2* Daniil Medvedev
Murray with some character there, rattling off a hold to stop the rot.
Now both men take a drink. It’s a long way back for Murray still...
Qatar Open: Andy Murray *4-6, 0-2 Daniil Medvedev
That’s a solid hold from Medvedev, who turns and spins with the backhand after being sent well wide of the court.
Murray can’t control the ball back in play and it’s a significant 2-0 lead to start the second set.
Qatar Open: Andy Murray 4-6, 0-1* Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev won the ace count in that first set 5-0.
Murray serves here and will hope to build a lead. Medvedev is launching some incredible returns, his confidence is up.
Murray facing a break point already, just like in the opening game of the first set. Hammered into the net and Murray looks dejected.
Qatar Open: Andy Murray 4-5* Daniil Medvedev - game, set Medvedev!
Stunning from Medvedev, disguised backhand drop shot with Murray way out of position, the spin after it bounces on the line takes it away from the court too.
Then an ace, three set points coming...
Another unreturned serve, game, first set Medvedev!
Qatar Open: Andy Murray 4-5* Daniil Medvedev
The diving, passing forehand fro Medvedev drifts wide, Murray was beaten and breathes a sigh of relief.
Remarkable rally! Murray can’t pick it up on the baseline and nets, he loses a desperate challenge, 15-15.
But the Scot storms back, soft hands at the net, the backhand volley wins him the point.
Brilliant from Murray to hold, now then, 4-5 and Medvedev must put this away on serve.
Murray has won all 12 points at the net. A blueprint?
Qatar Open: Andy Murray *3-5 Daniil Medvedev
Can Medvedev hold his nerve here? To spurn a two-break lead in the first would be a real concern.
But that’s a magical backhand winner cross court, superb.
Murray growing in confidence and that’s a brilliant drop shot to earn break point. This is a stunning comeback.
But what strength from Medvedev, a bookming 183kmph serve is unreturned. Then the Murray lob goes long, it’s game point to the Russian.
Murray challenges that call, but it’s game Medvedev and one game from a first set after 44 minutes.
Qatar Open: Andy Murray 3-4* Daniil Medvedev
Murray mixing up the depth well now, could this change the momentum of the match?
Now with a break point to pile on the pressure.
What a hold!
Qatar Open: Andy Murray *2-4 Daniil Medvedev
Murray shouting at himself at the changeover.
The Russian has been excellent and now his service game creeps him up to 40-15, two game points.
Murray still not losing hope in this first set, fetching a horrid drop shot from the Russian and then hammering it deep to erase a second game point. Deuce.
Murray spurns a break point with a big backhand long as Medvedev scrambled to the net.
He’ll get another chance, sensational return from way out wide. TAKES IT, 2-4!
Qatar Open: Andy Murray 1-4* Daniil Medvedev
A key moment in the match then, Murray has been grinding, as you’d expect, with 1-3 about as bad as he could expect from his game so far.
Can’t lose spirit here, but he’s dragged back to 30-30 after a looping forehand from Medvedev changes up that rally.
An in to out forehand from Murray across the court is too wide, chance Medvedev to secure the second break. 30-40.
And Murray can’t pick that ball off the baseline, scooping into the net, 1-4.
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