Daniil Medvedev brought a halt to this week’s run of success for Andy Murray with a second February title at the ATP Doha tournament on Saturday.
Murray, who will rise 18 spots from his 70th ranking as a finalist, was unable to pull off another miracle comeback win, going down 6-4, 6-4 in a struggle lasting for one and three-quarter hours.
The Scot with 48 titles, was bidding for a third in Doha after winning in 2008-2009; he had won all four of his previous matches this week with third-set fightbacks.
Medvedev doubled up after claiming Rotterdam honours last Sunday, claiming his 17th trophy with the Doha success.
“A tough match,” the winner said. “It was a little bit windy, both of us were struggling to find our rhythm.
“Today was a big fight. Sometimes we were playing badly, then suddenly both of us were playing amazing, and I’m happy to win.”
The No. 8 – a former No. 1 – will swap spots with injured Rafael Nadal in the rankings as he heads back to seventh in the world.
Medvedev has not dropped a set to Murray in three winning meetings. He led 4-1 in the first set and 3-1 in the second.
Medvedev was bedevilled by the wind, striking six double-faults but saving five of seven break points to move to 14-2 this season
Murray will try his luck this coming week at the ATP 500 event in Dubai, where Novak Djokovic will play his first match since winning the Australian Open a month ago.
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