Qatar Open: Roberto Bautista Agut ends title jinx in style

Roberto Bautisa Agust — Roberto Bautista Agut ended his dominant week in style in Doha. Images: Vinod Divakaran

Bengaluru, February 20: It took nearly three years for Roberto Bautista Agut to win an ATP title and when it come finally, the Spaniard did it in style in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open final on Saturday (February 19) in Doha.

On a breezy evening at the hard-courts of Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in the Qatari capital, the 33-year-old beat Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 6-4 for his first ATP Tour title since 2019 as he improved his Head-To-Head record over the Georgian rival to 4-2 and and improved to 11-3 on the season.

The last time the seasoned pro won an ATP tournament was the same event in 2019 as he repeated that feat three years later with a straight-sets success.

In a virtual repeat of last year's final in the Qatari capital, a pumped-up Bautista Agut played consistently and aggressively from the baseline as he dethroned Basilashvili to exact some revenge in style.

Basilashvili had eight aces in this year's final while Bautista Agut had none. The Georgian committed three double faults.

Falcon trophy

"I am very happy," Bautista Agut said as he held aloft the Falcon Trophy.

"It has been a while since I lifted a trophy. I have been working very hard to reach another final and to get the chance to win another title. It was a big dream for me to win a title and I have now won twice in Doha. It is very special for me and I am very happy."

Groundstrokes

Bautistsa Agut fired his groundstrokes through the court and rallied from a break down in the first and second sets to seal his victory after 86 minutes.

It is the second time he has lifted the trophy at the ATP 250 event, having clinched same the crown in 2019.

Multiple titles

Doha is the second ATP Tour tournament where he holds multiple titles, after lifting the trophy in Auckland in 2016 and 2018.

"It was a really tough final," Bautista Agut added. "This year we played without wind, which was much better for me. It was not easy to recover after a really tough battle yesterday, but I think I did a good job today. It is my 10th ATP Tour title and I am very happy."

10th career title

Basilashvili who had defeated Bautista Agut in straight sets in last year's final was magnanimous in defeat. He was aiming to win his sixth ATP Tour-level title, but Bautista Agut had other plans. This week, the third seed defeated Mikael Ymer, Marton Fucsovics and Arthur Rinderknech as he regained his top form to reach the final.

"I am super happy with how I played in this tournament," Basilashvili said during the trophy ceremony. "I love coming back here. I would like to congratulate Roberto for a great tournament. I would like to thank the crowd. I am super proud to play in front of you."

For the records, the world No. 16, who dropped just one set en route to the title, has now won 10 ATP tour-level crowns, holding a 10-9 record in championship matches.

(With ATP/Agency inputs)