Robin Haase rallied past Roberto Bautista-Agut in round one – Grand Prix Hassan II 2013
Dutch number one, Robin Haase, outlasted the Spanish contender, Roberto Bautista-Agut, in a three-set thriller at the Grand Prix Hassan II 2013 on Wednesday. He recorded a 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory against the runner-up of Chennai Open and progressed into the
second round at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event.
Seeded seventh in this event, Haase lost his track in the second set. However, he remained calm and eventually notched the victory in two hours and 20 minutes. Both contestants were battling each other for the first time and after bagging this match, the
Dutch inched closer towards the prize money.
The Dutch was quoted in an interview to the ATPWorldTour.com:
“I am trying to play better and better. I have started working with a new coach and already, I feel I am improving. But you cannot change dramatically, after 15 years of playing. I made a good start here by winning my first-round match. Of course, I need
to raise my level if I want to keep on winning.”
Haase made a comfortable entry on the Moroccan dirt. He drew the first blood in the third game and jumped to a 3-1 lead. The Dutch then held his remaining serves with poise and cashed another break chance in the last game to click the opener with a 6-3 win.
Ranked 59th in the Emirates Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Bautista-Agut hit back with a fitting reply in the proceeding set. He capitalised on two break chances early in the set to jump 5-1 up. The Spaniard held his serve once more and grabbed
the equaliser by winning six games to two.
The 26-year-old re-gained his strength in the deciding set. He got the coveted break in the third game but squandered his lead in the very next game. However, Haase stayed calm and capitalised another break chance in the last game, eventually clicked the
decider with a 7-5 success.
Next in queue for Haase is Kevin de Schepper who trounced over Steve Darcis in straight sets to set up this encounter. He recorded a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Darcis and will face off the seed.
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