After 3+ Hours, Martinez Magic Too Much For Bautista Agut In Kitzbühel
It took more than three hours, but Pedro Martinez was able to secure the biggest win of his career by FedEx ATP Ranking on Wednesday in Kitzbühel.
The 24-year-old Spaniard outlasted countryman Roberto Bautista Agut, the second seed, 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-5 after three hours and six minutes to reach the quarter-finals of the Generali Open. It is his first trip to the last eight of an ATP Tour event this season.
“It was a really good battle from the start until the end. We both fought almost every point. I respect him so much,” Martinez said in his on-court interview. “What he’s done on the Tour in past years is amazing. We are from the same region in Spain. Today it’s unbelievable to play this match against him on this nice court.”
[WATCH LIVE 2]Martinez, who defeated World No. 17 Gael Monfils just weeks ago at Wimbledon, broke World No. 16 Bautista Agut’s serve five times and won 43 per cent of his return points. The two-time ATP Challenger Tour titlist will next play Slovakian qualifier Jozef Kovalik, who eliminated Czech lefty Jiri Vesely 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 after one hour and 58 minutes.
Bautista Agut was not the only seeded Spaniard who lost, as Italian Gianluca Mager upset fourth seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6(3), 1-6, 7-5 after two hours and 22 minutes. Third seed Filip Krajinovic maintained his title hopes by clawing past Spanish lucky loser Carlos Taberner 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 after two hours and four minutes.