Novak Djokovic brought world No. 1 Andy Murray's 28-match winning streak to an end here Saturday to retain the Qatar Open title in a three-set thriller. Serb star Djokovic won 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in a match lasting almost three hours to claim his 25th career victory over his great British rival. In their first meeting since Murray won their season-ending climax at the ATP World Tour finals, the Briton ran into a rejuvenated Djokovic who, despite having problems with his racket hand and receiving two warnings for his behavior, prevailed thrillingly in their 36th contest. It was a perfect tonic for the world No. 2 in his build-up to the defense of his Australian Open title later this month and provided food for thought for Murray, who lost for the 25th time against his old rival. In the semifinals Friday, Djokovic got through after saving five match points against world No. 42 Fernando Verdasco 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, while Murray swept aside Tomas Berdych in far more straightforward fashion 6-3, 6-4. Among those watching the two semifinals in Doha were Bayern Munich players Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski. The German champion team is in Doha where it is holding a winter training camp. Agut to meet Medvedev in final Russia's unseeded Daniil Medvedev will play his maiden ATP final against Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in the Chennai Open Sunday. Medvedev, 20, beat Israel's Dudi Sela 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 in the first semifinal of the tournament in the southern Indian city Saturday. Medvedev, ranked 99, won the match in two hours and six minutes. Second seed and world No. 14 Agut beat Frenchman Benoit Paire in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in the second semifinal. Tournament favorite and top seed Marin Cilic from Croatia crashed out of the championship after losing to Slovakia's Josef Kovalik in the qualifying round of the near US$450,000 tournament.
