Roberto Bautista Agut wins 2022 Qatar Open in Doha

Saturday, 19 February 2022 at 17:42

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One year after Nikoloz Basilashvili defeated Roberto Bautista Agut in the Doha final, the Spaniard returned the favour by defeating the Georgian and lifting the trophy.

In a very curious twist of events, we saw the same Qatar Open for two years in a row. One year ago, Basilashvili took on Roberto Bautista Agut in the final and defeated the Spaniard. Now, one year later, the Spaniard returned the favour lifting the trophy. The score was once again 2-0 with Bautista winning 6-3 6-4.

It came after the Spaniard player a superb week of tennis where he literally dismantled opponents in the earlier rounds. Andy Murray was the recipient of one of those with the Brit winning only a handful of games. After that, it was Davidovich Fokin and then Khachanov. Now in the final, it was Basilashvili who started the match rather well.

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The Georgian was up 3-1 early in the match but saw his level dip and his forehand miss more often. Basilashvili rarely moves away from his style of play and he continued to do so in this match but the Spaniard was well prepared having played him last year here and lost. Eventually, Bautista secured the first set with 6-3.

In the 2nd set Basilashvili jumped out to another early lead 3-0 but once again the Goergian could not hold the level. Bautista slowly battled back never giving up on the set or in rallies and he was able to force several mistakes. Ultimatealy he finish it off with 6-4.

José Morgado

@josemorgado

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33yo Roberto Bautista Agut avenges the 2021 final and beats Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 6-4 to win in Doha his 10th career title, first in more than 3 years... in Doha as well. His last three titles were in Middle East.

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