Medvedev Annexes Qatar Open: Daniil Medvedev took home his second ATP title in a week, defeating former world number one in the final of the Qatar Open on Saturday. The Russian netter, who was ranked the top men’s singles netter in the world for a period of 16 weeks last year, outlasted Murray 6-4, 6-4 in the final to follow up on his title conquest in Rotterdam a week ago. The 27-year-old Medvedev fired down five aces in the final to secure his 17th career title that will move him up to seventh in the men’s singles world rankings. Tennis betting aficionados were right on the money in choosing Medvedev to win the final although they were bothered by the splendid showing put up by Murray in the tournament.
Medvedev Breaks Murray’s First Serves in Each Set
The Russian gained the upperhand in the final as he was able to break Murray’s first serves in each set. He bucked six double faults to beat the veteran tennis star, who fought off four three-set battles and overcame eight match points to gain a ticket to the final in Doha. It was the third straight win for Medvedev against Murray in their head-to-head matches. The title conquest in Doha gives the Russian a ton of confidence going into his next tournament in Dubai despite the fact that he could face world number one Novak Djokovic possibly in the semifinal. After the match, Medvedev said that he feels great with the title but he is looking forward for the challenge that Djokovic will put up in Dubai. Murray’s splendid stint in Doha will move him to world number 52 in the next edition of the men’s singles rankings. It was an 18-place improvement from his current ranking of 70th in the world.
Medvedev Annexes Qatar Open: Krejcikova Surprises Swiatek to Claim Dubai WTA Crown
Former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova took home the Dubai WTA title as she defeated top seed Iga Swiatek on Saturday. The 6-4, 6-2 win by the world number 30 was her sixth career title and ended Swiatek’s six-match, 12-set winning streak. The Czech netter became the fourth woman in this century to defeat the world’s top three players at the same tournament. She outclassed second-seeded Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals and defeated world number three Jessica Pegula in the semifinals. Before Krejcikova, Venus Williams, Serena Williams and Sabalenka were the only women’s tennis players to achieve the feat. The title will move the Czech netter to number 16 in the updated world rankings on Monday.
The victory capped Krejcikova’s week of rallies as she came from behind to beat eighth seed Daria Kasatkina in the second round and Sabalenka in the last eight. Against Kasatkina, the Czech saved four match points to secure the win while against Sabalenka, Krejcikova marched back from 0-6, 1-3 down to make it to the semifinal. The victory improved Krejcikova’s head-to-head record with Swiatek to 2-2. The Polish netter fell to her first WTA 1000 finals loss in six attempts. Krejcikova’s win over Swiatek surprised weekly WTA odds and trends that are expecting another walk in the park for the Polish netter and continue her winning streak.
