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World no. 3 and the defending Doha champion Daniil Medvedev will not play at next week's ATP 250 event. Thus, the organizers have experienced another blow, with Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev withdrawing within 24 hours! The Russian needs more time off the court following a demanding Australian Open journey, missing this week's ATP 500 event in Rotterdam and taking another week to recover.
Daniil should also play in Dubai in two weeks as the defending champion. Medvedev reached his sixth Major final at the Australian Open, the third in Melbourne. The Russian spent numerous hours on the court in seven matches, overcoming two sets to love deficit two times and setting the title clash against Jannik Sinner.
Daniil played well in the opening two sets before Jannik took charge and scored a 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory in three hours and 44 minutes, making the Russian's score in the Major finals even worse.
Medvedev could drop out from the top-3 on Monday if Sinner wins the title in Rotterdam. The Russian played well in February last year following an early Australian Open exit, winning three titles in as many weeks. The second came in Doha over Andy Murray, with Daniil scoring a 6-4, 6-4 win in an hour and 46 minutes.
Medvedev claimed six points more than Murray, outplaying him in the pivotal points to emerge at the top. The Russian saved five out of seven break points and grabbed four return games from eight chances.
Daniil Medvedev withdrew from the ATP 250 event in Doha.
Andy followed Daniil's pace in the shortest range up to four strokes, playing well in that segment in his 71st ATP final.
Still, Medvedev had the upper hand in the mid-range and most extended exchanges, overpowering a three-time Doha champion from the baseline. The Briton played against four break points in the first game of the encounter, netting a forehand on the fourth break point and falling behind.
The Russian cemented the lead with a backhand winner in the second game before facing two break points at 2-1. Daniil saved them with winners and held to open a 3-1 advantage. Andy lost the ground after missing those chances, experiencing another break in game five and finding himself further behind.
Instead of extending the lead, Medvedev sprayed a double fault in the sixth game, allowing Murray to pull one break back. The Briton held in game seven and created a break chance in the next one after a lucky net cord winner.
The Russian saved it with a service winner and held for 5-3. The better-ranked player served for the opener in game ten and held at love with another booming serve for 6-4.
Andy netted a forehand in the first game of the second set, losing serve and falling a set and a break behind. Daniil delivered two fine holds for a 3-1 lead before facing issues in game six. Murray grabbed a thrilling point and pulled the break back, locking the result at 3-3 and extending his chances.
They served well in games seven and eight, and Andy looked good to extend that streak after moving 40-0 up at 4-4. However, Daniil claimed five straight points, securing a pivotal break after the rival's volley's mistake and serving for the win at 5-4.
Medvedev failed to convert the first match point in game ten before seizing the second with a lob winner, celebrating the second title in as many weeks.