DOHA, January 6, 2019
Roberto Bautista Agut is the champion of the 2019 Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The 30-year-old from Spain defeated fromer World No. 4 Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in Saturday’s singles final at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.
Bautista Agut, who earned his second win over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic by rallying from a set and a break down in the semi-finals, saved five of the six break points he faced capitalizing on two of his own chances to secure victory in one hour and 55 minutes.
250th ATP match win = ATP 250 title 🏆@BautistaAgut completes a dream week in Doha, beating Berdych 6-4 3-6 6-3 for the #QatarTennis crown! pic.twitter.com/JqH2ZXPNUJ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 5. Januar 2019
“It was a great start to the season,” said Bautista Agut aftre lifting his ninth ATP Tour trophy. “I wish to feel good physically, mentally, like I am now, like I felt this week. And if this happens, I think I can get better in the [ATP] Rankings, and why not be closer to the Top 10?”
The seventh seed from Castellón has become the third Spaniard to win the title in Doha, joining Rafael Nadal (2014) and David Ferrer (2015). Bautista Agut seems to feel comfortable in the desert, as he claimed the biggest title of his career at the ATP 500 event in Dubai last year.
