And then there were two for Roberto Bautista Agut…
Less than one month after winning his first ATP title, the 26-year-old Spanish tennis player defeated Lukas Rosol 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in the Mercedes Cup final on Sunday for his second career crown.
The third-seeded Bautista Agut saved five of the six break points he faced and converted three of his six chances to win the heated match in 1 hour, 42 minutes.
Rosol, ranked No. 48 in the world, fired 13 aces to Bautista Agut’s two, but the Czech player was unable to prevent the 23rd-ranked Spaniard from claiming his second title.
“Since the start of the season, I believed a lot in myself and my work,” Bautista Agut told the ATP website. “I’ve been playing really well, won a lot of matches and it was only a question of time before this happened.”
Bautista Agut, who defeated defending champion and top-seeded Fabio Fognini on Saturday, claimed his maiden victory at the Topshelf Open last month.
Rosol, who knocked out second-seeded Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in his semifinal, was also bidding for his second title after winning at Bucharest last year.
“I was looking to find a good rhythm, but the serve was not working at all,” Rosol said. “I had to risk a lot with my shots. The level was not as good as the previous rounds and it’s a pity because I felt really good this week.”