Djokovic ends Murray winning streak in Doha epic

Novak Djokovic landed a potentially significant psychological blow in his rivalry with Andy Murray, as he overcame a fightback from the world number one to retain his Qatar Open title in dramatic fashion on Saturday.

Djokovic looked to have spurned the chance to end Murray’s lengthy winning streak, which stood at an impressive 28 matches, as he failed to convert three championship points on his own serve in the second set.

However, despite showing signs of fatigue and frustration thereafter, the Serbian found a second wind and duly came through the decider to triumph 6-3 5-7 6-4 and secure a welcome boost ahead of his defence of the Australian Open.

Murray has lost to Djokovic in four of the last six finals at Melbourne Park and may well reflect on a missed opportunity to gain further momentum ahead of the year’s first grand slam, having seized the number one ranking from his main rival at the end of the 2016 season.

Despite his defeat in Doha, which prevented him from claiming a sixth successive title on the ATP World Tour, Murray will remain at the summit of the rankings when they are updated on Monday.

In contrast to many of their previous meetings, the latest instalment of Murray and Djokovic’s ever-absorbing battle for supremacy started somewhat sluggishly, with both players below their best in the opening set.

After saving a break point during the third game, in which he required brief treatment on an injured thumb, Djokovic raised his level to forge ahead, helped by successfully delivering 81 per cent of his first serves.

When the 12-time grand slam champion broke for a 4-3 lead in set two, despite banging his head on the court following a nasty fall, Murray appeared a beaten man.

Yet the Scot responded admirably, reeling off four successive games as the level of the match rose sharply, to the delight of the 7,000 spectators in attendance.

Djokovic’s anger saw him lose a point – and consequently the 11th game of the second set – when he smashed the ground with his racquet after already receiving a warning for hitting a ball into the crowd.

At that point, Murray was on track to beat Djokovic from a set down for the first time in 20 attempts, only for another twist in the tale to follow as a break to love at 3-3 in the decider earned Djokovic a lead he would not relinquish.