Fourth seed Roberto Bautista Agut began his quest for a third title of
2016 by defeating Simone Bolelli 6-2 6-4 to reach the second round of
the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday. Already crowned“I served really well. I think I played very solid during all the match,” said the Spaniard, who didn’t face a break point. “I was returning well and pushing a lot of pressure on him and returning everything. It was the best start of the season for me, so I have to be confident for sure. I feel great on the court, and I feel I have a lot of rhythm. I played a lot of matches. So it's good, to win matches and to be with confidence.”
Borna Coric, who last year beat Andy Murray to become the youngest player ever to reach the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semi-finals and earlier this season reached the final in Chennai, defeated Jiri Vesely 6-4 6-4, and qualifier Thomas Fabbiano surprised Leonardo Mayer 6-3 6-4.
“Roberto Bautista Agut might not be a name known to many, but his form this year has been outstanding. Few will carry as much confidence into his matches, and that will make him a formidable opponent for anyone he faces,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free. “It is satisfying to see that Borna Coric was able to build on his success here last year and he went on to win more matches in the season than any other teenager. Then in Chennai in January he continued to show great promise by becoming the youngest finalist on the ATP World Tour since Marin Cilic in 2008. We wish him well.”
“We have enjoyed some exciting matches today, and Dubai tennis fans were able to see our 2015 semi-finalist Borna Coric for free on court one as he progressed to the second round,” said Tournament Director Salah Tahlak. “Plenty more excitement is guaranteed as more of our top seeds take to the courts, and they will certainly have to be at their best to resist their ambitious opponents.”
Play in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships continues until 27th February and includes world number one and reigning Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open champion Novak Djokovic and 2015 French Open winner Stan Wawrinka among those bidding for one of the most coveted trophies in the sport.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free, and held under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
champion in Auckland and Sofia this year, his next opponent will be exciting Korean teenager Hyeon Chung.
Source: ATP Dubai Duty
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