NOVAK DJOKOVIC TOSSES AND FALLS AND BEATS MURRAY TO REPEAT IN DOHA QATAR TENNIS

Written by: Staff on 7th January 2017

NOVAK DJOKOVIC TOSSES AND FALLS AND BEATS MURRAY TO REPEAT IN DOHA QATAR TENNIS

epa05703920 Novak Djokovic (L) of Serbia celebrates with his trophy after winning against Andy Murray (R) of Britain during their final match of the Qatar ATP Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex Doha, Qatar, 07 January 2017. EPA/NOUSHAD THEKKAYIL |

Qatar ExxonMobil Open

Doha, Qatar

RESULTS – SATURDAY, 7 JANUARY 2017

Singles – Final

[2] N. Djokovic (SRB) d [1] A. Murray (GBR) 63 57 64

DJOKOVIC BEATS MURRAY TO REPEAT AS DOHA CHAMPION

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Andy Murray of Great Britain during their final match of ATP Qatar Open tennis tournament at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 07 January 2017. EPA/NOUSHAD THEKKAYIL

– World No. 2 Novak Djokovic exacted revenge on World No. 1 Andy Murray in an electrifying final. The Serbian won his first title since July (Rogers Cup).

– Djokovic charged the net 35 times in the match, winning almost 70 per cent of those points. He also converted three of four break points.

– The title is his 67th career tour-level crown, and Djokovic now leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 25-11.

– Murray sees his 28-match win streak snapped but the Scot will remain No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. He has now reached the final in 13 of his past 14 tournaments.

– Murray erased three championship points in the second set to force a deciding set.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Djokovic

“Best scenario I could ask for in the beginning of the season. Playing all five matches in this tournament and then three hours against the No. 1 of the world, biggest rival, and winning in a thrilling marathon match.

“He’s such a great defender and he is fighting so much and always gets the ball back… It was really, really thrilling performance from both of us. Just a great way to start the year.”

Murray

“Obviously disappointed not to win tonight, but I played pretty good the last couple of the matches. I think physically it was a good test to start the year, and I did good there. My body feels all right just now, so that’s positive.”