Champions from the earlier two years met within the first spherical in Doha. The 2023 winner Daniil Medvedev ousted the defending champion Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and 31 minutes, incomes his finest victory of the season.
World no. 6 dropped the opener and moved nearer to a different early loss. Nonetheless, Daniil raised his stage within the second set and supplied a late break to pressure a decider. The higher-ranked Russian served nicely within the decider and moved excessive with a single break. Medvedev performed nicely behind the primary serve however struggled behind the second. Not like in some earlier matches, world no. 6 stored his composure within the pivotal moments and defended six of seven break factors, six within the fifth recreation of the opener.
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Khachanov performed in opposition to 5 break factors and suffered one break in units two and three to hit the exit door. Daniil landed 30 winners and 35 unforced errors, whereas Karen stood on a 35-44 ratio. The higher-ranked Russian constructed a 32-20 lead in service winners and introduced the win dwelling.
Medvedev confronted a stern problem within the fifth recreation of the opening set. The 2023 champion saved six break factors and closed a marathon recreation to keep away from the setback. Khachanov left these alternatives behind and made one other push on the return at 3-3.
Daniil Medvedev, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
The defending champion grabbed a break at 15 following the rival’s free backhand. Karen cemented the break with a maintain at 30 in recreation eight and served for the opener at 5-4. World no. 21 transformed a set level after Daniil’s wayward backhand, shifting 6-4 up after 57 minutes.
World no. 6 supplied six comfy holds within the second set and stored the stress on the opposite facet. Khachanov adopted that tempo and held at love at 4-5 for extra drama. Medvedev landed a forehand winner at 30-30 within the eleventh recreation and closed it with a strong serve.
Daniil Medvedev & Karen Khachanov, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
He made a push on the return at 6-5 and generated a set level following the rival’s free forehand. Karen despatched a forehand vast, dropping serve and permitting Daniil to take the set 7-5 and pressure a decider after an hour and 50 minutes.
The highest-10 star gained momentum and served nicely within the remaining set. Medvedev landed an ace within the third recreation for a maintain at love and stepped in on the return within the subsequent one. Khachanov despatched a backhand past the baseline, shedding serve and falling 3-1 behind.
Daniil Medvedev, Doha 2025© Stream screenshot
Daniil closed the fifth recreation with a smash winner on the web and opened a 4-1 hole. Karen struggled on serve within the sixth recreation, He saved two break level and stayed in contact earlier than dealing with a match level at 2-5. Khachanov denied it and held to increase his possibilities.
Medvedev served for the win at 5-3 and generated three match factors with a smash winner. World no. 6 seized the third with a strong serve, reserving a spot within the second spherical and incomes a much-needed win.
