Daniil Medvedev claimed back-to-back ATP titles to boost his ranking and confidence! World no. 8 lifted the Rotterdam crown last Sunday and added his 17th trophy to the collection on Saturday in Doha. Daniil took down a former champion Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 46 minutes to extend his winning streak and gain a boost ahead of Dubai and Indian Wells. Andy saved eight match points in the previous rounds and gave everything in his 71st ATP final. The Briton came from behind in the second set, only to experience another break and hand the trophy to the Russian. Daniil won only six points more than Andy, playing better in the decisive moments to emerge at the top. Medvedev defended five out of seven break points and stole the rival’s serve four times from eight opportunities to make the difference. Nothing separated them in the shortest range up to four strokes, with Murray following the pace of a better-ranked rival.
Daniil Medvedev defeated Andy Murray to lift the title in Doha.
However, Daniil forged the difference in the mid-range and most extended exchanges, taming his strokes nicely and outplaying a three-time Major winner from the baseline. Murray made a slow start and netted a forehand on the fourth break point in the encounter’s first game to fall behind. Medvedev confirmed the advantage with a backhand winner in game two before Murray grabbed his first game in the next one. The Russian faced two break points in the fourth game and defended them with winners to remain in front. Andy lost the ground after wasting those chances and experienced another break in game five to fall 4-1 behind. Daniil hit a double fault in the sixth game to lose serve and bring the opponent back to one break deficit. Andy played well on the return in the eighth game and earned a break chance after a lucky net cord winner.
Medvedev denied it with a powerful serve and wrapped up the opener with a hold at love at 5-4 after a powerful serve. Murray netted a forehand at the start of the second set to lose serve and find himself a set and a break behind. Daniil served well in games two and four to maintain the advantage before Andy broke back in game six following a thrilling point. They produced powerful holds in games seven and eight to remain neck and neck, and Murray built a 40-0 lead in game nine. The Briton dropped five straight points to experience a costly break and push the rival closer to the finish line after a loose volley at the net. Daniil squandered the first match point in game ten and allowed Andy to reach deuce. The Russian earned the second with a service winner and sealed the deal with a lob winner that secured the title for him.