World No. 8 Daniil Medvedev was in inspired form to see off Togolese-Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) at the center court of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha on Friday.
On a roll
@DaniilMedwed knocks out Auger-Aliassime 6-4 7-6(7) to advance to a second final in two weeks. @qatartennis | #Qemo2023 pic.twitter.com/D3SDfScqhY
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 24, 2023
The victory was Medvedev’s second over Auger-Aliassime in a week after their quarterfinal clash in Rotterdam.
Although the 22-year-old Canadian ensured it was not an easy contest this time around, he could not match Medvedev’s calmness and consistency in the encounter that lasted for one hour and 57 minutes.
When asked about how much the closeness of the games was building his confidence heading into the final, the 27-year-old said:
“Today and yesterday the matches were super close.”
“Confidence matters, because [Auger-Aliassime] had [three] set points. I managed to just stay in there and it was enough to win, but a very high-level match. Two hours for two sets.”
Medvedev, who is now on an eight-match winning streak, saved three set points in the second-set tie-break along with six aces and three of seven break points. He also had just eight unforced errors across the two sets, compared to 26 for the second-seeded Auger-Aliassime. The win also improved Medvedev’s ATP record against the Canadian to 6-0.
Ladies & Gentlemen, let us introduce you to Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2023 finalists — @andy_murray & @DaniilMedwed
pic.twitter.com/0TCyvaBKDH
— Qatar Tennis Federation (@QatarTennis) February 24, 2023
The Russian will face Britain’s Andy Murray in the final on Saturday, after the latter saved five match points before overcoming Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-0, 3-6, 7-6(8-6) in impressive fashion.
The former World No. 1, who is into his fifth final in Doha and a first overall since June 2022, screamed with excitement as victory over 21-year-old Lehecka was confirmed.
Comeback king
@andy_murray saves
match points to defeat Lehecka 6-0 3-6 7-6 (6) and make the Doha final for the
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 24, 2023
When asked about how he kept fighting back, Murray said: “I don’t know – that was one of the most amazing turnarounds I’ve had in my career.
“I have no idea how I managed to turn that one round, to be honest. I will enjoy this evening and hopefully put on a good performance tomorrow.”
Medvedev was also full of praise for the 35-year-old after his impressive week in Doha. He said: “It’s unbelievable [what Murray has done this week].”
“As soon as someone arrives at match point, that’s where the match starts. So, I have to be at my best from the first to the last point tomorrow to try to beat him.
“He’s a legend. He’s playing better and better, I feel like, not only here but in general. This is amazing to see. He’s fighting. Today was just unbelievable, the way he won, so I’m really happy to face him tomorrow,” he concluded.
Medvedev holds a 2-0 record over Murray in the ATP series, and he would be looking to improve that record.
