Andy Murray defeated by former world No.1 Daniil Medvedev in Qatar Open final

Murray’s brilliant performances this week should see him rise to just outside the world’s top 50 as his strong start to the season continues.

The win marked Medvedev’s second title in as many weeks, with the world No.8’s unbeaten record now stretching to nine matches.

“It was an incredible week, obviously didn’t finish as I wanted, but I had some amazing matches here and create some great memories," said Murray.

"Daniil is one of my faviourite players to watch and one of the best on the tour, so it’s great for me to get to play someone of that level again in a final.

"I’m proud of my week and the work me and my team have put in to get back to this point."

Despite falling a break behind from the start of the match, there were opportunities for the Brit to get back into the match, with a total a five break points spanning across the fourth, sixth and eighth games. However, he only managed to take one break after he had already gone 4-1 behind and the Russian wasn’t going make the same mistake again.

Serving for the set for the first time, Medvedev played arguably his game of the match with a beautifully disguised passing shot setting up two unreturnable serves to clinch the set.

The second set started in similar fashion, with Medvedev racing out to a 2-0 lead and saving yet another break point with an acute angled pass off his backhand to move 3-1 in front.

When the match may have seemed to be getting out of reach, Murray proved he still had plenty left in the tank. His scrambling ability reached another level in the fifth game of the set, defending a barrage of attacking shots from the Russian at the net to get a well deserved second break of the match.

However, in the pivotal moment of the match, former US Open champion and former world No.1 Medvedev fought back from 40-0 down on Murray's serve at 4-4 to claim the all-important break that would eventually decide the title.

Murray leaves Doha having yet again proved his clinical edge with another four victories in deciding sets against Lorenzo Sonego, Alexander Zverev, Alexandre Muller and Jiri Lehecka

Both he and Medvedev now leave for the Dubai Duty Free Championships, where Murray will face fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz in the first round.