It's Murray vs Djokovic in Doha

Andy Murray swept aside Tomas Berdych in straight sets in the Qatar Open semi-finals. Photo: Nikku, Xinhua

Andy Murray swept aside Tomas Berdych in straight sets in the Qatar Open semi-finals. Photo: Nikku, Xinhua

Published Jan 7, 2017

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DOHA – Andy Murray and champion Novak Djokovic will go toe-to-toe in the Qatar Open final after the world's top two players laid down their markers for the 2017 season.

World No 1 Murray swept aside Czech third seed Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-4 to record his 28th consecutive victory and will be targeting a sixth title in succession on Saturday.

The mouthwatering final will be a key litmus test ahead of the season's first Grand Slam in Australia, which starts on January 16. Murray broke Berdych early in each set and won in almost an hour's less playing time than the Serb. He said the final would be "a great match to look forward to".

Djokovic, who was deposed as World No 1 by Murray in November and was beaten by the Scot in their last showdown – in the title match of the 2016 season-ending ATP World Tour Finals – will be hoping to avoid the hiccups he faced against Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in Friday's semi-final.

The Serb saved five match points to stay alive before eventually subduing Verdasco 4-6 7-6(7) 6-3. – Reuters, AFP

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