Roberto Bautista Agut is through to the quarter finals at the 27th NOVENTI OPEN. The Spanish player only needed 61 minutes to defeat Richard Gasquet and wins the match in two straight sets
Accompanied by sunshine and summer temperatures Bautista Agut had two break chances against him in the first service. But these were the only ones which had to be parried off by the Spanish player in the whole of the match. After a slightly bumpy start, the Spaniard got into the match and was able to get a break point. Gasquet’s double-fault and his strong service game got him a quick and easy 3:0 lead. “I feel good here. The stadium and the audience are super” Bautista Agut said after the match.
Some long rallies and exciting duels from the baseline thrilled the spectators on the Centre Court. Bautista Agut allowed nothing while serving. Even though his French opponent tried very hard to make it difficult for him on the court. Bautista Agut was able to make sure points, especially with his first service. The player from Spain also showed strong returns, profited by Gasquet’s faults and took the no. 54‘service. After 30 minutes Bautista Agut, who had reached the semi-finals in Halle last year, decided the first set 6:1.
But the Frenchman wasn’t defeated yet and he showed this in the second set. In a now very even match both players brought through their service bringing it to 4:4. Then the strong Spaniard grabbed his chance and got three break points. The 33-year-old Gasquet was now under pressure and double-faulted. The result was the deciding break for the world’s no. 20. Now, he wasn’t having the victory taken off him. After 61 minutes it was 6:1, 6:4 and the well-earned quarter finalist is Roberto Bautista-Agut.
In the next round he will meet either Swiss Roger Federer or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga from France.
