Daniil Medvedev was relieved to have overcome Andy Murray to secure back-to-back ATP Tour titles and continue a rankings resurgence.

Medvedev got the better of Murray by making a fast start to both sets but still had to work hard to close out the match in windy conditions in Doha.

The former world No 1 felt that he wasn’t able to find his rhythm against Murray.

“[It was] a tough match,” said Medvedev after his win.

“It was a little bit windy today, so both of us were struggling to find our rhythm… Today was a big fight for both of us. Sometimes we were playing bad, then suddenly both of us were playing amazing, and I’m happy to win.”

Prior ot the final there was little doubting that Medvedev was in the throes of a purple patch after he stormed to the Rotterdam title last week and added the Qatar Open as his 17th career title on Saturday.

“I managed to find momentum in Rotterdam,” said Medvedev, when asked about his recent form. “The first two matches I played there were tough. I didn’t feel good before that tournament, and then starting in the quarter-finals against Felix [Auger-Aliassime], I started to find my rhythm.

“I started to play really good. Serve better, move better. Today it was tough for Andy to put the balls through me many times, and now the question is [if it] can continue. I’m going to try as long as I can.”

In their two prior encounters, Medvedev had not lost a set against Murray going into the championship match on Saturday. In Doha, he got off to a good start against the British player and seized a double-break advantage at 4-1 by being steady as Murray battled to reach his peak level of performance.

But, the Brit showed great fortitude under pressure, just like he has in each of his victories on his battling road to the final thi week. In the longer rallies, Murray started to match Medvedev, and the 46-time tour-level champion hit his backhand especially cleanly. He held another break point at 4-5 and recaptured one of the breaks, but Medvedev held a constant level that Murray was stretched to keep up with and couldn’t in the end.

Medvedev’s baseline brilliance has been a feature of his recent run and he now owns 16 hard court titles on the ATP Tour.

He will be the third seed at next week’s Dubai Tennis Championships where potential semi-final opponents include Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Hubert Hurkacz and a few less fancied names.

READ MORE: Andy Murray casts doubt over his next move after Daniil Medvedev defeat

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