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 *1-3 Daniil Medvedev
And here we go again, break point for Murray, stepping into the second serve and swatting a backhand cross court past Medvedev.
But that’s some serve from the Russian, who puts away the subsequent forehand.
Those heavy forehands from Medvedev working well to break Murray down in the battle from the baseline.
And it’s a hold, more disappointment for Murray, who trails 3-1 after 21 minutes.
Qatar Open: Andy Murray 1-2* Daniil Medvedev
Frustration for Murray, 0-15 and looking to jump on a second serve, but he nets. 15-15.
A really competitive game this, Medvedev coming to the net and swatting one away with a lovely forehand.
Murray’s backhand slice working nicely though! Break point coming, 30-40.
Murray livid after a booming Medvedev serve saves the break point, then an unforced error at deuce. But we’re back at deuce because Medvedev cannot convert the backhand with Murray out of position.
Qatar Open: Andy Murray 1-2* Daniil Medvedev
That’s better, some cheap points for Murray!
He rattles off a hold to earn a foothold in this game.
Now for some drinks.
Qatar Open: Andy Murray *0-2 Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev showing real torque in these ground strokes.
Races into a 30-0 lead...
That was routine, a hold and Medvedev leads 2-0.
Qatar Open: Andy Murray 0-1* Daniil Medvedev
Magic from Murray!
The sliced backhand drop shot to save 2/3 break points.
Still not out of the woods yet, but what a rally there, he held his nerve and adjusted well.
Now an unreturned first serev, deuce. Immense character, three break points saved in the first game.
Another incredible rally, real whip fro Medvedev on that vicious forehand, opens up the court with Murray unable to find depth.
Then the hop and a skip to put away the backhand on the rise. Lovely. A fourth break point coming up...
Murray nets, game and a break for Medvedev after an eight-minute game!
Qatar Open: Andy Murray *0-0 Daniil Medvedev
Murray serving here then, we’re underway!
A slow start, and Medvedev takes a 0-30 advantage after Murray nets with the forehand cross court.
And a failed challenge sees Murray on second serve, a terrible start, this.
A lengthy rally then ends with a backhand slice hitting the net for Murray, three break points already!
Qatar Open: Andy Murray vs Daniil Medvedev
Murray, once again, opts to change sides.
Both men warming up now, Murray with more than 10 hours of tennis from 12 sets in four matches in his legs this week.
Can he recover in time to topple Medvedev?
Qatar Open: Andy Murray vs Daniil Medvedev
OK, so after some traditional song and dance, it’s time for some tennis.
Murray in the white and black sash, Medvedev in red.
The Russian is looking for back-to-back titles after victory in Rotterdam. He’s won eight in a row...
Qatar Open: Andy Murray vs Daniil Medvedev
Here comes Andy Murray, he steps out on court.
The two-time champion receives an outstanding reception.
It’s almost go-time!
Qatar Open: Andy Murray details why he is involved in so many marathon matches
“Yeah, well, I think obviously like today I could help myself more by starting the match quicker, but also, you know, if I look at also like some of the players that I have played against this year, you know, they’re not easy matches.
“Zverev, granted, he’s coming back from injury, but, you know, still a very difficult match. Sonego, I think in these conditions, can play very well. I think the other night he played a solid match. Berrettini in the first round of the Australian Open, like, that’s never going to be easy.
“Yeah, like I said, obviously I would like to have quicker matches, but, you know, sometimes, it happens this way, and I’m sure that’s not going to continue throughout the rest of the season. It’s just a period that I’m going through where the matches are difficult.”
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