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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Murray denied title by Ljubicic | Murray denied title by Ljubicic |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Andy Murray lost 4-6 4-6 to second seed Ivan Ljubicic in the Qatar Open final in Doha to end his hopes of starting 2007 with a second career ATP title. | Andy Murray lost 4-6 4-6 to second seed Ivan Ljubicic in the Qatar Open final in Doha to end his hopes of starting 2007 with a second career ATP title. |
| The Scot had eight chances to break in the first set but it was the Croat who took advantage of a loss of focus by Murray to break in the 10th game. | The Scot had eight chances to break in the first set but it was the Croat who took advantage of a loss of focus by Murray to break in the 10th game. |
| Murray went a break up at 3-2 in the second but Ljubicic recovered and broke again to clinch a hard-fought victory. | Murray went a break up at 3-2 in the second but Ljubicic recovered and broke again to clinch a hard-fought victory. |
| Despite the loss, Murray goes to the Australian Open as a top 16 seed. | Despite the loss, Murray goes to the Australian Open as a top 16 seed. |
| "Ivan is a great player and a great fighter and I lost to abetter player today," the 19-year-old said. | |
| "It was freezing cold out here throughout the week but weplayed some really good tennis. I am happy with the way I played for the most part and I look forward to continuing the good form in Australia." | |
| Murray is a tough opponent - I had to be aggressive but nottoo aggressive Ivan Ljubicic Murray carved out six break points against a rusty Ljubicic in the very first game but the Croat hung on stubbornly to hold after nearly 15 minutes. | |
| There were more chances for Murray to break in the seventh game, as Ljubicic lost concentration with a series of rash strokes, only to see the world number five cling on again. | There were more chances for Murray to break in the seventh game, as Ljubicic lost concentration with a series of rash strokes, only to see the world number five cling on again. |
| It was the British number one who finally unravelled in the 10th game as Ljubicic tested him with some fierce forehands and took the opener with a brilliant passing shot. | It was the British number one who finally unravelled in the 10th game as Ljubicic tested him with some fierce forehands and took the opener with a brilliant passing shot. |
| The players continued to trade powerful strokes as the quality of the match stepped up in the second set, and it seemed as if neither would give ground. | The players continued to trade powerful strokes as the quality of the match stepped up in the second set, and it seemed as if neither would give ground. |
| Murray, scurrying and coughing his way around court, wore down Ljubicic in the fifth, forcing him into three errors to secure the break. | Murray, scurrying and coughing his way around court, wore down Ljubicic in the fifth, forcing him into three errors to secure the break. |
| 606 DEBATE: How will Murray fare in Australia? | |
| But his advantage seemed to last as long as his patience as Murray's own mistimed shots gifted the second seed the break straight back. | But his advantage seemed to last as long as his patience as Murray's own mistimed shots gifted the second seed the break straight back. |
| The Scottish fourth seed tried to stave off Ljubicic's pressure for as long as he could, and as a result the duo produced some dazzling tennis. | The Scottish fourth seed tried to stave off Ljubicic's pressure for as long as he could, and as a result the duo produced some dazzling tennis. |
| The set was again decided in the 10th game and Murray saved three match points before an error saw him hand Ljubicic victory in Doha at his third attempt. | The set was again decided in the 10th game and Murray saved three match points before an error saw him hand Ljubicic victory in Doha at his third attempt. |
| The 27-year-old will be the new number one when the first ATP tour race rankings of the year come out on Monday. | |
| "It's a great feeling to come back and win here after being the runner-up in 2004 and 2005," Ljubicic said. | |
| "The crowd has been fantastic and it's great to be the number one, although it may be for a short period. | |
| "Murray is a tough opponent. I had to be aggressive but nottoo aggressive. | |
| "I had to have a mix of baseline and net play. I just waitedfor the points because he doesn't make too many mistakes." |