Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his victory after winning the men's singles final match of Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2017 against Andy Murray of Great Britain, at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar on January 7, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

It was Murray's first competitive defeat since losing to Juan Martin del Potro in the Davis Cup in September.

In a typically cagey start between the pair, Djokovic landed the first blow with his only break point of the first set.

In the eighth game of the opener, he came back from 40-15 down to win four consecutive points and break Murray's serve.

Then, in the seventh game of the second set Djokovic broke Murray again despite falling over and banging his head during one rally.

It seemed to be the decisive blow, but Murray would not be easily brushed aside, rallying to take the game into the decider.

Murray said he was "obviously disappointed" to lose but was not too downbeat.

"I think physically it was a good test to start the year," he said.

He added that he lost having failed to capitalize on his chances.

"I had a break point at 3-2. In the last game I had love-30 on Novak's serve and played a couple of loose shots. I think I had the first break point in the first set as well, didn't get it.

"He had one and took it, that was the difference this evening."

Murray also dismissed any idea the defeat would have any impact in the forthcoming Australian Open.

Saturday's match was the first meeting between the pair since Murray beat the Serb at the ATP World Tour Finals in London in November, snatching Djokovic's No 1 ranking in the process.

It was also the 20th time Djokovic has beaten Murray after winning the first set.