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Roberto Bautista Agut claims Qatar Exxonmobil Open title after victory over Tomáš Berdych
Roberto Bautista Agut claims the Qatar ExxonMobil Open title for the first time following a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over Tomáš Berdych.
Roberto Bautista Agut survived a second set scare from Tomáš Berdych to claim his first ever Qatar ExxonMobil Open title. With a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory.
The Spaniard who was the six seed in the tournament, beat the likes of Stan Wawrenka & World Number One Novak Djokovic to claim the crown.
After a grueling contest against Djokovic just a day ago, it was Bautista Agut who showed more energy over his opponent. It was in the seventh game that Agut made the decisive break on the 27th minute with a sweetly struck forehand winner to put Agut 4-3 up. A hold of service put Agut 5-3 up and in control of the first set.
Into Game nine and Agut had three set points but the Spaniard, who defeated Novak Djokovic on route to the final missed the opportunity to take full advantage as Berdych fought back and eventually won the ninth game with a deft volley from the net.
However the number 7 seed was not going to be denied and duly served out the first set to win 6-4 after 41 minutes.
Into the second set, and it Thomas Berdych who came out firing on all cylinders. An Ace in the third game underlined the confidence of the 33 year old who was appearing in his second ever Qatar Open Final.
Berdych had three break points in game four and waited patiently to break Bautista Agut, an a aggressive volley from the net gave the Czech star the advantage in game four. Berdych who missed the majority of last season with a back complaint confidently pushed ahead in Game five. After holding service a confident forhand handed the Czech player the set.
Into the decisive set, and surprisingly it was Bautista Agut who had the upper hand with a break in game four.
Bautista Agut finshed with a flourish and survived a scare from Berdych who looked to immediately break back. By now the Spaniard was in the ascendency but wasted three match points to secure back to back breaks in service.
Bautista Agut has been defined by his resilience this week in Doha and in game six game Berdych got to double break point, but Agut held on to go a game away from claiming his first ever Qatar Exxonmobil Open title. The seventh seed done it in style blitzing his opponent in the final game, and sealed his first ever Qatar title with a plum forehand.