World No. 8 Daniil Medevedev with the champion's trophy at the end of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2023 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha on Saturday. Photo: Salim Matramkot
Doha: World No. 8 Daniil Medevedev yesterday defeated Briton Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4 to clinch his maiden Qatar ExxonMobil Open title in his first attempt.
Yesterday’s win also means Medvedev now remains unbeaten in three meetings between him and the former World No.1.
It was also the Russian’s second ATP title in a week, following the victory in Rotterdam last Sunday as he clinched his 17th career crown which would see him move up one place to seventh in the new world rankings tomorrow.
“Yeah, very tough match. I think was a little bit more windy today. So both of us were struggling to find the rhythm on my second serve,” Medvedev said after the one-hour 46-minute long battle, which took place in front of a full house at the Khalifa International tennis and Squash Complex yesterday.
“I’m happy to win. And yesterday was a big fight for both of us. Sometimes we were playing bad, then suddenly both of us were playing amazing and I’m happy to win,” the 27-year-old said after putting an end to Murray’s four-match-winning streak – all of which were thrilling three setters.
“I managed to find this momentum in Rotterdam. My first two matches I played there were tough. I didn’t feel good before the tournament and then starting from quarters against Felix (Auger-Aliassime). I started to find my rhythm. I started to play really good, serving better, moving better. Even today, it was tough for Andy too, to put the ball through many times,” Medvedev said before adding that he will try to try to continue his momentum.
“And now the question is it going to continue. So I’m going to try as long as I can,” Medvedev said before receiving the Golden Falcon trophy.
The former ‘Big Four’ star and two-time Qatar ExxonMobil Open winner Murray was satisfied with his brilliant show in Doha despite a loss in the final.
“It was an incredible week,” Murray, who was playing in a record fifth final in Doha, said.
“Obviously didn’t finish how I wanted. But yeah, I had some amazing matches here, created some great memories and fantastic to be back in a final again and against an incredible player today. Daniel is one of my favorite players to watch and one of the best players on the tour,” Murray said during the presentation ceremony.
Murray spent more than 12 hours on court during his four matches in Doha
“Definitely there are some things for me to work on but I’m proud of my week and the work that me and my team have put in to get me back to this stage,” Murray, who was forced to take time away from sport in 2017 due to an injury and undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in 2019, said.
Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) President Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi, QTSBF Secretary-General Tariq Zainal, President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar Dominic Genetti, Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil Neil Chapman and Tournament Director Karim Alami were present at the awards ceremony.
