Murray Outlasts Wawrinka for ATP Doha Crown
Posted on January 6, 2008Raring to go after a 2007 season wrought with injuries, Britain's Andy Murray won his first title of the year in the first week of the year over the weekend, outlasting Swiss riser Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to claim the Qatar ExxonMobil Open championship.
It was the fourth career title for Murray, who has previously lost to the Swiss on clay in Davis Cup three years ago and also on hardcourt at ATP Masters Series Miami in 2006.
"It was a really good week," Murray said. "The first four matches were not easy, but relatively comfortable, and that one was by far the toughest. Did a lot of running, and the quality of tennis was very high. Stan has improved a lot over the last six months since he came back from his knee injury."
Wawrinka fell to 1-4 lifetime in ATP finals.
"I played a good match, but the third set was difficult," Wawrikna said. "He's just playing very good. He's doing everything. It's very difficult to play against him, to come to the net or to stay back, it's very difficult...For me, it's very, very good if I want to be in the Top 20. I beat [Ivan] Ljubicic for the first time by doing a great match."
It was the fourth career title for Murray, who has previously lost to the Swiss on clay in Davis Cup three years ago and also on hardcourt at ATP Masters Series Miami in 2006.
"It was a really good week," Murray said. "The first four matches were not easy, but relatively comfortable, and that one was by far the toughest. Did a lot of running, and the quality of tennis was very high. Stan has improved a lot over the last six months since he came back from his knee injury."
Wawrinka fell to 1-4 lifetime in ATP finals.
"I played a good match, but the third set was difficult," Wawrikna said. "He's just playing very good. He's doing everything. It's very difficult to play against him, to come to the net or to stay back, it's very difficult...For me, it's very, very good if I want to be in the Top 20. I beat [Ivan] Ljubicic for the first time by doing a great match."