The final of the 2019 ExxonMobil Qatar Open will be contested between Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut and Tomáš Berdych of the Czech Republic, after both men pulling off surprise wins in their semi-finals on Friday.
Watch & bet on Roberto Bautista Agut v Tomáš Berdych live in the Qatar Open with bet365 here* on Saturday, January 5. The Bautista Agut v Berdych final will begin around 6:00 pm local time (3 pm GMT).
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Berdych beat Italian Marco Cecchinato, ranked nearly 50 places above him in the world rankings, whilst Bautista Agut put out top seed and World Number One Novak Djokovic, coming from a set down to edge it in the third.
Roberto Bautista Agut v Tomas Berdych Head to Head
The pair have met six times before, although it has been nearly three years since their last meeting which occurred in the last 16 at the Australian Open, the Czech edging a tense encounter 6 -3 in the final set.
However, two of Berdych’s victories have occurred on clay, a surface that does not suit Bautista Agut’s style, which is more of a counter-attacking style with low flat shots. Encouragingly then for the Spaniard, both his victories over Saturday’s opponent have come on hard courts like Doha, at Indian Wells in 2014, and in Chennai a year earlier.
Berdych has been ranked as high as 4 in the world in 2015 and is a former Grand Slam finalist having been beaten in the 2010 Wimbledon final of 2010, where he was beaten by Rafael Nadal.
His career, incidentally, has been blighted by injury in recent years, and he has tumbled down the rankings to his current standing of 71.
Bautista Agut v Berdych – Who Will Win?
Bautista Agut, buoyed by his triumph over Djokovic will start the match as favourite. The hard courts of Doha suit his style, and he is playing with confidence and assurance. He is also ranked 24 in the world compared to his opponent who is more than 45 places below him.
However, Berdych should not be underestimated. This is a man with 13 career titles to his name, and his current world ranking is not a true guide to his ability or potential to win matches. Reaching the final in Doha may be a sign that he is beginning to put the injury problems of recent years behind him, and is ready to win tournaments again.
This match may well go to three sets in which case it could be won by either man.
The Bautista Agut v Berdych live streaming can be watched with bet365 here* on Saturday, January 5.
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