Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut hopes to replicate success in Dubai

Dubai - After the Australian Open in Melbourne and the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament, Agut is ready to get going in Dubai.

Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut is hoping for good tidings when he steps on court in the ATP 500 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The 31-year-old had won here in Dubai in 2018, when he beat Frenchman Lucas Pouille, and last year's Wimbledon semifinalist hopes he can replicate that this time around.
Agut, who lost to world No.1 Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, is seeded fifth in Dubai and goes up against German Jan-Lennard Struff in the first round at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Last year was a mixed one for Agut personally and professionally. He reached the semifinals at SW19, his best showing at a Grand Slam. But his father Joaquin passed away in November during the Davis Cup tournament. Agut also went on to tie the knot with long-time girlfriend Ana Bodi Tortosa.
After the Australian Open in Melbourne and the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament, Agut is ready to get going in Dubai.
"I feel well, no? I think it was a great month in Australia for me. I've been working at home well. I did all my stuff, all the physical work well. I think I'm ready to play a good week in Dubai," Agut said on Sunday, February 23.
Agut felt the conditions here suited his style of play and said that it was one of his favourite tournaments.
"I like Dubai. I like the conditions here. I think it's great for my game, great for my tennis. It's one of my favorite tournaments of the year," he said,
Talking about his first round opponent, Agut said Struff is an aggressive player.
"He's a great player. He can play very aggressively. He can play very fast. We'll see. It's going to be the first match here in the desert, which always makes it more difficult. I will have to concentrate hard and prepare well. I will try to be very solid and try to beat him," said Agut, who also reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2019.
Agut reflected on his season last year and pointed that Wimbledon was perhaps the best he had played.
"Wimbledon was maybe the best tournament I played in my life. Well, I think it was a great experience. I think I learn a lot from it. I hope I can do the same results in the next few years," he said.
Agut also spoke about his marriage with Ana and said: I married a great girl. She's helping me a lot. She also helped a lot in the past. We are good together. We try to help us in our lives."
james@khaleejtimes.com