Bautista Agut Overcomes Fucsovics Test In Rotterdam

Roberto Bautista Agut’s hopes of a first title at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament were almost ended in the first round on Monday, but the Spaniard survived a second-set tie-break before racing to a 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-1 victory against Marton Fucsovics.

The World No. 12 recorded his ninth victory in 10 matches this season after two hours and 17 inutes, converting five of eight break points to secure the three-set victory. Bautista Agut is appearing in Rotterdam for the first time since 2016, when he advanced to the quarter-finals at the ATP 500 event for the first time.

Bautista Agut has started the 2020 ATP Tour season in fine form, winning all 12 sets he contested at the inaugural ATP Cup. At the Australian Open, the 31-year-old fell in five sets to 2018 runner-up Marin Cilic in the third round.

Bautista Agut will face countryman Pablo Carreno Busta for a spot in the third round. The 28-year-old needed two hours and 45 minutes to move past Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4.

Bautista Agut leads Carreno Busta 2-1 in their ATP Head2Head series. Each of the pair’s three previous encounters went to decisive final set.