DOHA/STARNBERG, February 19, 2022
In a repeat of last year’s championship match in Doha, Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain gained revenge over Georgia’s Nikololz Basilashvili to clinch the title of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The No. 2 seed of the ATP 250 hard-court tournament won 6-3, 6-4 under the lights at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Saturday evening.
Bautista, a winner in Doha three years ago, withstood eight aces and broke Basilashvili’s serve four times to prevail after one hour and 25 minutes.
The moment @BautistaAgut won his 19th ATP final! 😍 pic.twitter.com/gYGMzGAIcK
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 19, 2022
“It was a really tough final,” Bautista Agut said. “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.”
The World No. 16 from Castellón de la Plana, who only dropped one set en route to the title, pocketed $114,875 in prize money as well as 250 ATP Ranking points. Bautista Agut has now won 10 ATP Tour crowns.
“I am very happy,” Bautista Agut said. “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.”
