Repeat show as Basilashvili, Bautista Agut to clash in Qatar final for second consecutive year

Doha: Defending champion Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia will take on Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in Saturday’s final of the 2022 Qatar ExxonMobil Open at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

It’s a repeat of last year’s final where the two had met in the title clash with Basilashvili emerging on the top over the World No.16.

In the first semi final of on Friday, the Georgian took one hour and fourteen minutes to register 6-4, 6-2 win over the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech

“I think I played a very good match today. Mentally, physically, everything was there. I was using my serve really good. I was returning really well. I found really good spots where to return, because I had experience of playing with him last year in Halle. So I know exactly where he's serving,” Basilashvili said in his post-match interview.

“I was very good. I was playing really well from the baseline, keeping my position really well, and generally I think it was a very good performance from me,” he added.

The Frenchman, ranked 61 on the ATP computer had created a buzz around him with his display on the Tour this season with three semi-finals this season. Rinderknech maintained the same form in Doha to pull off a stunning upset in Doha, knocking out World No.12 Denis Shapovalov in the quarterfinals.

But in the last-four clash against Basilashvili he could not continue his giant-killing act at the ATP 250 tournament.

The Frenchman had the first break point in the first set, but he could not sustain the momentum and the pressure quickly swung on his side. Broken at 2-2 in the first set, Rinderknech could not catch up, despite a break ball as Basilashvili pocketed the first set at 6-4.

In the second set Basilashvili got off to a flying start with a double break at the start of the second set to take a 4-0 and then on held on his serve to pocket the second set at 6-2 and reach the final for a second consecutive year.

World No. 22 Basilashvili will face 2019 winner Bautista Agut who came from a set down to script a fighting 2-6, 6-3, 7- 5 over Karen Khachanov.

The 33-year-old Spaniard produced a highly-intense and aggressive performance, overcoming the Russian in two hours and 26 minutes to reach the final in Doha for the second consecutive year.

The second seed found his range as the match went on with the key turning point coming in the third game of the second set, when Bautista Agut fended off seven break points in a mammoth game. From there, the World No. 16 put his foot down and raised his level deep in the third set, breaking at 5-5 with a powerful smash, before holding to seal his win.
 

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