Daniil Medvedev eases past Andy Murray in straight sets to win Qatar Open

Daniil Medvedev defeated former World No.1 Andy Murray in the final of the Qatar Open at Centre Court on Saturday, February 25.

Medvedev eases past Murray in straight sets to win Qatar Open. Courtesy: AP

By Sabyasachi Chowdhury: World No.8 Daniil Medvedev, on Saturday, February 25, defeated former World No.1 Andy Murray in straight sets in the final of the Qatar Open at Centre Court. Medvedev won the match 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 47 minutes.

Medvedev also became the first player to win back-to-back ATP titles in the year 2023. The 27-year-old came into the tournament after winning the ATP Rotterdam by beating Jannik Sinner in the final.

Murray was outstanding in the semi-final in Qatar against Jiri Lehecka where he saved five match points to win the contest. It raised hopes that the 35-year-old would be able to win his first ATP title since last winning the European Open in Belgium way back in October 2019.

But that wasn’t the case, as Medvedev didn’t give him much breathing space in the final. After the win, Medvedev will go to No.7 in the ATP rankings, going past 22-time Grand Slam singles champion Rafael Nadal.

Against Murray, Medvedev earned a double break to take a 4-1 lead in the first set before the former started making a comeback. Murray made a comeback to make it 4-5 by earning a break of serve. He had a chance to convert a break point and make it 5-5, but Medvedev somehow held his nerve to close out the first set.

Murray fought hard in the second set as the scorecard read 3-3 in his favour, but Medvedev didn’t let his opponent get on top of him. Medvedev earned a break of serve in the ninth game and drilled the final nail in the coffin.