World number one Sir Andy Murray has lost to Serbian nemesis Novak Djokovic in the final of the Qatar Open.
The Scot was sunk 6-3 5-7 6-4 in the absorbing back-and-forth match, ending an incredible 28-game winning streak.
Epic ?? from Andy #Murray saving 3 match points at 5-4 down & break twice in a row to take the 2nd set and level the match! #BackTheBrits???? pic.twitter.com/41GgbSAfdF
— British Tennis (@BritishTennis) January 7, 2017
Though the Serb had the upper hand for much of the game, a relentless Murray pushed him all the way to the limit and came back strongly time and again.
Love both guys !!! What a remarkable hand-shake between 2 champions and bad news for the rest…@DjokerNole @andy_murray @ATPWorldTour
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) January 7, 2017
Djokovic told EuroSport: “Definitely one of the best ways to start a year. When he turned it around, wow, I thought I hope this is not payback time for yesterday.“All the way, to the last shot, you never know with Andy … To win here, against the biggest rival, is a dream start.”In other knight-of-the-realm sporting news, Sir Mo Farah came seventh in the Great Edinburgh Cross Country.
So Andy Murray loses his first final after the knighthood – the suit of armour must have slowed him down. Sir Mo lost today too.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) January 7, 2017
Next up is the more prestigious Australian Open, where Murray will be desperate to come out on top.