Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut claimed the first title of his career at the ATP/WTA 's-Hertogenbosch Open on Saturday, just hours after Coco Vandeweghe clinched her maiden success on the same court. Bautista Agut, the world number 28, came from a set down to beat 2009 champion Benjamin Becker of Germany 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 in just under two hours as he continued his breakout season.
The Spaniard, who entered the world's top 30 for the first time last month, was forced to do things the hard way, though, as Becker raced through the opening set courtesy of two service breaks with Bautista Agut's second serve coming in for heavy punishment. The second set was much tighter, with a tie-break required to separate the players and it was Bautista Agut who held his nerve as Becker faltered, forcing a decider.
Becker hammered an ace to save break point in the opening game of the final set but Bautista Agut made the crucial breakthrough two games later before shutting the door on his rival to earn his first ATP title, going a step further than he did a year ago in Chennai. "It took me a while to recover from a very long match yesterday and I was getting better and better after the first set," said Bautista.
"I was more focused and started to feel better physically. I was trying not to think too much and play my game point by point. "It was the same nervousness as every match. I played calm and aggressive in the last game. I had to celebrate hard (after match point) and enjoy the moment." Earlier, American Vandeweghe also lifted her first title following a 6-2, 6-4 victory over China's Zheng Jie.
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