ATP Doha: Dominic Thiem fails in the quarterfinals to Roberto Bautista Agut
Dominic Thiem was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 event in Doha. The world number four was defeated by the Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut with 6: 7 (3), 6: 2 and 4: 6. Here you can read the match in the live ticker!
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Mar 11, 2021, 09:29 pm
After his opening success over Aslan Karatsev, Dominic Thiem had complained of slight foot problems, but at the beginning of his quarter-final game against Roberto Bautista Agut, the 27-year-old had nothing to do with it. The world number four did not shy away from the long rallies with the tough Iberian and was rewarded for his patience with the break to 2: 1. Thiem had to return this immediately.
Despite a moment of shock - Bautista Agut fell in the middle of the first set - the level remained very high. The world number 13 from Castellon De La Plana even had advantages in the rallies and from his point of view came to a set ball when the score was 5: 4. Thiem knew how to fend off this with courageous tennis.
A little later, the two protagonists found each other in a tie-break. In this, Bautista Agut quickly took a 4-1 lead. The 32-year-old didn't give up this lead - set one went 7: 6 (3) to the Iberian after exactly one hour of play.
Thiem unimpressed by the loss of a sentence
As against Karatsev, Thiem was not at all impressed by this setback and took the serve to make it 2-0 from his opponent. History was to repeat itself a few minutes later, when Bautista Agut managed the immediate rebreak as in the first sentence.
Although Thiem repeatedly grabbed his right foot afterwards, the reigning US Open champion now stayed on the trigger. Thanks to another break to 4: 2, he restored the old lead, but this time he didn't have to give up the service game that followed. Instead, the fourth in the world ranked his opponent's service game again and bagged set two with 6: 2.
Bautista Agut proves staying power
In contrast to the two previous acts, it was Bautista Agut who made the first break in the third round. Thiem countered in the style of a champion and, thanks to two game wins in a row, was 2-1 ahead. The world number 13 was not impressed by this and made the next break to 3: 2.
The encounter was still at a brilliant level, Thiem was not granted a comeback despite an anything but bad performance. Bautista Agut carried the lead over the finish line and used his first match point after 2:24 hours of play.
In the semifinals, the Spaniard will now face Andrey Rublev, who has not yet played a point in the tournament so far - at least in the individual. The Russian recently benefited from two tasks from Richard Gasquet and Marton Fucsovics. For Thiem, the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai will continue next week.
Here you can read the match between Thiem and Bautista Agut in the live ticker!