Djokovic outlasts Murray to retain Qatar Open title

 

Novak Djokovic has successfully retained the Qatar Open title in Doha, as the Serbian overcame the current world number one Andy Murray 6-3 5-7 6-4 in a highly gripping encounter. Djokovic led by a set and a break but Murray staged a remarkable fightback, saving match points as his opponent served for the title to eventually force a decider. But, as the contest became physically brutal yet still full of high quality tennis from both players, it was Djokovic who seized the crucial break in the third set as the world number two went on to secure a hard-fought win.

In the opening set, both players settled into the contest but it was Murray who looked the steadier, as the Brit crafted a break point earlier on with a delicate drop shot. But, Djokovic saved it before moving ahead 2-1, despite not finding his consistent form. Both players were cruising through their service games but as Murray served down 4-3, the world number one held game points but a series of erratic shots eventually allowed Djokovic to break and move 5-3 up. Serving for the set, Djokovic was too strong and the Serbian comfortably closed it out, ripping an incredible forehand winner down the line to take the lead.

 

As the second set unfolded, the scoreline was tight early on as both players initially held serve comfortably. However, at 3-2, a tense game ensued as Murray’s aggressive intent earned the Brit a break point on Djokovic’s serve but once again he was unable to capitalise. The Serbian went on to level the scoreline at 3-3 and then an erratic game from Murray was punctuated with a costly double fault to gift Djokovic the break for a 4-3 lead. The world number two appeared to have taken control of the match as he consolidated the break to move ahead 5-3, but Murray did well to reduce the deficit. Serving for the title at 5-4 up, Djokovic held match points but the combination of his hesitant play and Murray’s offensive tennis saw the match take a dramatic turn, as the gutsy Brit saved match points before crushing a forehand winner to eventually claim the break back.

With the scoreline now at 5-5, the quality of tennis went up another level as both players were pushing each other to their physical limits, but it was Murray who was getting the better of the extended rallies. The Serbian was issued a point penalty for his frustration which allowed Murray to go 6-5 up, as the Brit was beginning to grow in confidence. With Djokovic serving to take the set to a tie-break, the Serbian ventured forward to the net but it was unsuccessful as Murray produced consecutive backhand passing shot winners to manufacture set points. Even though Djokovic saved one, he could not hold off his opponent, as the world number one leaned into a fierce backhand return that the Serbian couldn’t handle, to take the match to a decider.

 

In the third set, Murray kept up his high quality form and offensive tennis to hold serve comfortably, but Djokovic was doing well to stay with his opponent during the early stages. At 3-2 up, the world number one was looking the physically stronger of the two and held a 30-0 advantage and also a break point, but Djokovic dug deep to erase the opportunity before surviving to level the scoreline at 3-3. Then, in the following game, the Serbian ruthlessly struck as his precise groundstrokes and ability to outlast his opponent was simply too much for Murray, as the Brit netted a backhand to concede his serve. Djokovic quickly consolidated the break to open up a 5-3 margin, but Murray held his serve to force his opponent to serve for the title. As Djokovic served for the win again, Murray established a 30-0 lead but a series of errors allowed his opponent to claw his way back into the game and reach match point. Despite the world number one’s remarkable efforts throughout to save match points and push the contest to a thrilling finish, Djokovic held his nerve and wrapped up a pulsating victory to retain the title.

 

With this win, Djokovic has made the perfect start to the year and has also snapped Murray’s incredible run of 28 match wins. Both players will next participate at the Australian Open where the Serbian is the defending champion, having beaten Murray in last year’s final.