After a bad Australian Open result, Daniil Medvedev regained his form in Rotterdam and Doha. Following an indoor ATP 500 crown, the Russian went to Doha and claimed his 17th ATP title over Andy Murray. The younger player beat the veteran 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 46 minutes, extending his winning streak and hoping for more in Dubai. Murray fought well that week, fending off eight match points on route to the final, his 71st on the Tour. Daniil won six points more, taking the decisive moments and sealing the deal in straight sets.
Medvedev erased five out of seven break points and controlled the pace with four breaks from eight opportunities. They stayed neck and neck in the fastest exchanges up to four strokes. Murray remained in touch in that segment but lost the ground in the mid-range and most advanced one, unable to overpower one of the world’s best baseliners. The Briton experienced an early break in the encounter’s first game, netting a forehand on the fourth break points to push the Russian in front. Medvedev cemented the lead with a backhand winner in game two before Murray reduced the deficit with a hold at love.
Daniil Medvedev won the title in Doha over Andy Murray.
Daniil struggled behind the initial shot in the fourth game, facing two break points and erasing them with winners before landing a service winner for 3-1. Andy missed his chances and lost the ground in the next one, getting broken for the second time and sending Daniil 4-1 in front after 25 minutes. Murray bounced back in game six, pulling one break back after Medvedev’s double fault. Andy forced Daniil’s error in the seventh game, reducing the deficit to 4-3 and hoping for more return chances. The Russian squandered two game points, and the Briton created a break chance after a lucky net cord winner. Daniil saved it with a service winner and held with another for 5-3. Andy grabbed the ninth game with a fine serve & volley combo, with Daniil serving for the opener at 5-4. World no. 8 produced a hold at love, landing a service winner and clinching the set in 54 minutes.
The Briton played a loose forehand at the beginning of the second set, finding himself a set and a break down. Daniil saved a break point in game four with a beautiful backhand crosscourt winner and fired another to bring the game home and move 3-1 in front. Medvedev squandered game points at 3-2 and experienced a break after an entertaining point, bringing his opponent back to the positive side. They served well in the next two games, and Murray moved 40-0 up at 4-4, looking good to extend the battle. However, he lost five straight points and missed a volley at the net to hand a break to his rival. Daniil served for the victory in game ten and landed a perfect lob winner, sealing the deal and celebrating his 17th ATP title, the second within six days.
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