Tennis: Medvedev halts Murray heroics to take Qatar title
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Russia's Daniil Medvedev celebrates with his trophy after defeating Britain's Andy Murray in the Qatar Open.
PHOTO: AFP
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DOHA – Daniil Medvedev beat fellow former world No. 1 Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4 in the Qatar Open final on Saturday to win his second ATP title in a week.
The 27-year-old, who won in Rotterdam last Sunday, convincingly ended his 35-year-old opponent’s comeback heroics that saw Murray fight four three-set battles and overcome eight match points to reach the final in Doha.
Medvedev broke Murray’s first service game in each set as he remained unbeaten in three encounters between the two. His 17th career title should see him move up one place to seventh in the world rankings.
Medvedev said both players struggled to find their rhythm in the wind but also complained about the new balls used on the tour.
“Honestly, I can say this now that the tournament is over, and also I won, I think that these balls are not good for hard courts,” said the Russian.
“They changed something this year and I don’t like them. I heard a lot of other players are struggling with shoulders, elbows and wrists.
“Myself, I had wrist problems in Australia. Generally, I think I was struggling all week to find the perfect rhythm with these balls, but I am happy to win.”
Medvedev fired down six aces but also committed six double faults. Murray repeatedly shouted at himself and his support team after errors.
Medvedev seemed to be cruising in the second set until he was serving at 3-2 up. Murray fought back and produced a brilliant backhand winner to surge back into the clash at 3-3.
At 4-4, Murray was leading 40-0 in a bid to produce another shock, but the Scot let Medvedev get back into the game for the key break that decided the title.
“Daniil is one of my favourite players to watch and one of the best on the tour,” said Murray, who acknowledged he had been through an “amazing week”.
Murray is expected to rise from 70th to 52nd in the world rankings. But he said that after his gruelling week, he would speak with his team before deciding whether to compete in the Dubai tournament this week.
Medvedev said he would fly to Dubai on Sunday to prepare for an event boosted by his second straight title but wary of the fact that he could meet world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
“It is all about confidence and as it can come really fast, it can go away really fast with one loss. I feel really great right now but next week is a new challenge.” AFP
