Google News ATP Doha: Daniil Medvedev beats Andy Murray, the Highlights
by LORENZO CIOTTI
Daniil Medvedev beats Andy Murray 6-4 6-4 in the ATP final in Doha. Andy nearly recovers two breaks down in the opening half and even puts his lead to 4-3 in the second. Some recriminations for the British who squanders a 40-0 lead on 4-4 and essentially surrenders to the Russian.
The success allows Medvedev to gain another position in the ranking and to settle on the number eight box of the ranking at the expense of Rafa Nadal. The first game is somehow a manifesto. Medvedev immediately goes to 0-40.
He doesn't take advantage of the first three break points available, but then goes on autopilot and with two incredibly physical solutions in the next two fifteen he puts his head forward and immediately strengthens the advantage with a zero game, topped off needless to say by two aces.
Murray tries to do something different. At least not to remain trapped in the network of prolonged exchanges that the Russian tennis player builds with incredible detail. Murray doesn't take advantage of two balls in the third game to get back on track - few recriminations, frankly - but above all he leaves his serve on the street on a second occasion and allows Medvedev to escape.
If only apparently. Called to substantially block the first set at 4-1, the Russian gets distracted. Called to guard two fifteen points of advantage, he makes two rather gross mistakes, cancels the third break point which he puts at Murray's disposal with a forehand on the fly, but on the fourth break point he gives the two-time tournament champion a little breathing room with a double fault.
Murray, who often and willingly takes the goal route, gets himself a chance to get back on 4-4. Medvedev, who asks for and obtains the support of the first ball, gets out of trouble and blocks the final innings without particular difficulties.
Medvedev condenses the vast majority of attention during the first game. Needless to say, he recovers two fifteen from behind and again forces Murray to invent something different to hang on to the score. The Briton can't do it and with two rather naive mistakes, he once again gives the Russian the chance to lead the race.
However, the 40-15 syndrome affects the Russian with a certain constancy. Murray, who takes the opportunity to come back, puts the arrow on 3-3, but fails to do the same thing on 4-4. An incredibly patient Medvedev, who substantially eliminates unforced errors from the project, comes back three fifteen from a disadvantage, settles the decisive shoulder presumably at the moment of maximum difficulty and closes the match at the second useful opportunity. The first match point goes away with a double fault.