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 No 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 agressive 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.
Vandeweghe, who had to come through the qualifiers just to reach the main draw, was dominant on serve throughout and capitalised on two breaks of serve in the first set before making a lone break count in the second on her way to capturing the trophy.
“I usually take tournaments one match at a time, so early in the week I was just focused on being prepared for my first match in the qualification.
“Once I took care of that first match I just went from there, and I got more and more comfortable on the courts.
“I was trying not to think about it being a final today. I got the first set and I thought to myself, ‘One set to the good, one more to go, try and get the early break now and keep the pressure on her.’
“I was really just thinking about it step by step, just like how I would play in any match,” said an elated Vandeweghe, whose only previous appearance in a WTA final came at Stanford two years ago when she lost to Serena Williams.
Meanwhile at the Eastbourne International, Vandeweghe’s fellow countrywoman Madison Keys broke through for the first title of her career as she beat experienced German fifth seed Angelique Kerber 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
Three years after first stepping onto a grass court, the 19-year-old from Florida became the first American to claim the title at Devonshire Park since Chanda Rubin in 2003.
Kerber saved three match points in the final game as the losing 2012 finalist struggled to stay in the match, but Keys ended those hopes as she earned the victory in just under two hours when Kerber hit the net with her 48th unforced error.
“It’s incredible to be able to win here,” said a delighed Keys, who will move into the world’s top-30 for the start of Wimbledon on Monday.
“Hopefully there will be many more to come,” added the teenager.
Keys had never before played a final, with a pair of semi-finals at Sydney and Strasbourg her best previous showings of 2014.
She hammered 19 aces, 60 winners and broke twice from 11 chances and the poised teenager said that while she was full of anticipation as she played for a title, it did not affect her game.
“It was a bit surreal playing in my first final, but all morning I tried to stay calm and not over-think it. My hands are still shaking, I’m really excited,” said Keys.
Kerber was playing her 11th final but was unable to add to her four career trophies.
“It it was a tough final,” said the German runner-up.
“Of course I’m disappointed, I’d be lying if I said no.
“I’ll now just take my energy by myself and focus on Wimbledon. In two days we have the third Grand Slam, and I think this is the most important thing.
“I had great matches, I had these battles. I need to speak with my coach about this match, take the positive things and make sure that I will make a better result next time.
“It was really just like two, three points at the end.”
Feliciano Lopez completed the parallels of the day, notching another win for Spain in the men’s event at Eastbourne despite losing a nail-biter second set to top seed Richard Gasquet.
Lopez, himself the third seed in the tournament, went up 6-3 in the opener but fell 6-7 (5/7) in a tight second set, before rallying for a 7-5 third set win to secure the title.
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