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[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-microphone”] Match Recap from Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open
2019 Champion: Roberto Bautista Agut
Their first match in nearly 3-years became another deciding-set thriller. Tonight was the 7th meeting between Roberto Bautista Agut and Tomas Berdych. Outside of the Slams, all but one of their matches have come down to the wire.
Tonight’s championship was decided by singular breaks in all three sets. RBA struck first in set-1, Berdych in the second, then RBA half-way through set-3 — basically, two Berdych hiccups to Agut’s one. Efficient, top-shelf tennis from both during week-1 of the season.
Of course, this has become routine for Bautista Agut – four of his nine career titles have come in January. This one’s extra-special though, after a comeback victory over World #1 Novak Djokovic in the Semifinals.
Meanwhile, it’s been a tremendously encouraging week for Tomas Berdych, who spent the past six months rehabbing a tricky back. Since capturing the Doubles title in his Doha debut, Tomas has reached the Semifinals or Final every year he’s come back to Qatar.
Roberto Bautista Agut is now 3-7 versus Tomas Berdych
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] 2019 Qatar ExxonMobil Open | FF Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 3-6 6-3 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] 2016 Australian Open | R16 Tomas Berdych 4-6 6-4 6-3 1-6 6-3 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] 2015 Monte-Carlo | R16 Tomas Berdych 7-6(7) 6-4 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] 2014 Roland Garros | R32 Tomas Berdych 6-1 6-2 6-7(4) 6-4 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] 2014 Indian Wells | R64 Roberto Bautista Agut 4-6 6-2 6-4 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] 2013 Bangkok | R16 Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-3 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] 2013 Chennai | QF Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5 2-6 6-3Day-6. Completed Singles Draw
[/alert]Day-6. Completed Doubles Draw
[/alert][7] Roberto Bautista Agut -24- (ESP) | Championship Announcer Introduction
This week in the Quarterfinals, he earned his first career victory over 2008 Doha Finalist Stan Wawrinka. And last night, played the match of his life. Down a set and a break, he rallied back and upset World #1 Novak Djokovic for the second time in just over 2-years. Tonight, he is competing in his 16th ATP Tour Final, and it’s worth noting that 3 of his 8 career titles have come during the first month of season – including his 2nd Auckland title last year, where he defeated Juan Martin Del Potro in the championship match. He went on capture the biggest title of his career at the ATP-500 event in Dubai and returned to a career-high ranking of #13 in the World. In pursuit of his 9th ATP Tour Title – from Spain – please welcome, Roberto Bautista Agut.
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] FF def [WC] Tomas Berdych -71- 64 36 63 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] SF def [1] Novak Djokovic -01- 36 76(6) 64 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] QF def Stan Wawrinka -66- (SUI) 64 64 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] R2 def [Q] Guillermo Garcia-Lopez -105- (ESP) 61 64 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] R1 def Matteo Berrettini -54- (ITA) 61 64[WC] Tomas Berdych -71- (CZE) | Championship Announcer Introduction
He’s enjoyed a remarkable run this week in Doha, in his first tournament back after 6-months away from the game. 5-years-ago, he won the Doubles title in his Doha debut. A year later, he reached the Singles Final against David Ferrer. He’s a 4-time Semifinalist on this court. And tonight, he is competing in his 32nd ATP Tour Final, on-the-hunt for his 14th career Title. He’s a Wimbledon Finalist, a 2-time Davis Cup Champion, has been ranked as high as World #4, and is one of only 3 players who’ve earned Grand Slam victories over Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer AND Andy Murray. From the Czech Republic, please welcome 2-time Doha Finalist, Tomas Berdych.
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] FF loss [7] Roberto Bautista Agut -24- (ESP) 46 63 36 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] SF def [4] Marco Cecchinato -20- (ITA) 76(6) 63 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] QF def Pierre-Hugues Herbert -55- (FRA) 62 64 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] R2 def Fernando Verdasco -28- (ESP) 46 63 75 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] R1 def Philipp Kohlschreiber -34- (GER) 64 76(5)
