murray djokovic set up dream qatar final
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Between the two best players in the world

Murray, Djokovic set up dream Qatar final

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Murray, Djokovic set up dream Qatar final

Andy Murray (L)
Doha - Arab Today

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic on Friday won through to the Qatar Open final, setting up a hugely-anticipated early season clash between the two best players in the world. 

Djokovic only got through after saving five match points against world number 42 Fernando Verdasco, to win a thrilling match 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3.

Murray swept aside Tomas Berdych in far more straightforward fashion 6-3, 6-4 to secure a 28th consecutive victory, a record which stretches back to September last year.

The mouthwatering final between the world number one, Murray, and his nearest rival takes place on Saturday and will be a key litmus test ahead of the season's first Grand Slam in Australia which starts on January 16.

Djokovic said he was lucky to be in his second successive Doha final after being on the brink of a straight sets defeat as he trailed in the second set tie-break.

But through a combination of typical Djokovic grit and Verdasco errors he saved four match points at 6-2 down in the tiebreak and another when 7-6 behind.

It is the third time in his career he has saved five match points.

"It's definitely one of the most exciting matches I have played," Djokovic said after coming back from five match points down for just the third time in his career.

"I haven't saved five match points many times. He (Verdasco) should have finished it off."

He added: "I'm obviously very pleased, because you need these kind of matches, these kind of confidence boosters, for whatever is coming up after that."

He said a final with Murray would be a "perfect match-up".

Djokovic's progress prior to the semi-finals had been serene and Friday's match was the first time the Serb had even dropped a set in Doha in almost two years. 

Despite losing his opening service game, the world number two broke back in the eighth game.

But he was then immediately broken back by Verdasco, who not only served out for the set but then broke Djokovic's opening service game in the second.

Only after closing the tense second set tie-breaker, did Djokovic's victory seem likely.

Murray, who had struggled with the windy conditions and opponents in previous rounds, won far more easily.

He broke Berdych early in each set and won in almost an hour's less playing time than the Serb.

He said the final would be "a great match to look forward to".

"It's a great test tomorrow. To start the year it's great to play against one of the best in the world."

It will be the 36th match between the pair.

Djokovic has historically had the upper hand, winning 24, but Murray won the last time they played at the ATP World Tour Finals in London in November.

Among those watching the two semi-finals in Doha were Bayern Munich players Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski.

The German champions are in Doha where they are holding a winter training camp.

Source; AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

murray djokovic set up dream qatar final murray djokovic set up dream qatar final

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

murray djokovic set up dream qatar final murray djokovic set up dream qatar final

 



GMT 14:15 2017 Sunday ,09 April

Spring dramas competes against Ramadan Marathon

GMT 20:29 2016 Sunday ,07 August

Scholars pay farewell to Ahmed Zewail

GMT 20:41 2017 Monday ,24 April

Olly Murs on his most honest record yet

GMT 14:32 2013 Monday ,04 March

Dalia el-Behiri: Egypt\'s regime should go

GMT 09:08 2017 Tuesday ,07 November

UN aid flights blocked from Yemen

GMT 13:53 2017 Monday ,13 February

IOF target Gaza fishermen

GMT 09:15 2017 Saturday ,15 July

Mubarak still in Sharm El-sheikh hospital

GMT 09:17 2015 Monday ,23 February

Second Qatar e-nature schools contest kicks off

GMT 00:56 2017 Sunday ,17 December

4 killed in Canada shooting

GMT 19:39 2016 Friday ,26 August

'Sausage Party' maestro bids

GMT 20:51 2017 Tuesday ,04 April

28 civilians killed in Syrian regime raids
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday