'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQb/2gAIAQEAAAAAOnf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAECEAAAAH//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAhEAABAwQBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAADAQIEBQYREgATITEyQv/aAAgBAQABPwCgT6XFh0mRLCwSBDBgB0buhSsMhEc7tnK748/XL1tmjFvKvEFLaMbp53NYgPVOo7n/xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgAEIv/aAAgBAgEBPwCrpmBn/8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMAARH/2gAIAQMBAT8AJVGodn//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Match details
Fixture: Andrey Rublev vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Date: 12 March 2021
Tournament: Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2021
Round: Semifinals
Venue: Doha, Qatar
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $787,930
Match timing: Approx. 6 pm local time, 8.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel
Andrey Rublev vs Roberto Bautista Agut preview
The semifinal round of the 2021 Qatar ExxonMobil Open will see defending champion Andrey Rublev face fifth seed Roberto Bautista Agut on Friday.
The two men have had very different paths leading up to the last four at this year's tournament. While Rublev was given a walkover in his last two matches, his opponent has had to slug it out in some tight contests.
Bautista Agut started his week with wins over Reilly Opelka and Alexander Bublik. But the real test for the Spaniard came in the quarterfinals, where he managed to outlast the top seed Dominic Thiem after two and a half hours of play.
Bautista Agut delivered a strong performance in that match, and was especially impressive on return as he broke the Thiem serve on five occasions.
Against another big server in Rublev, Bautista Agut will be hopeful of posting somewhat similar numbers.
Andrey Rublev vs Roberto Bautista Agut prediction
Andrey Rublev and Roberto Bautista Agut have split their previous four meetings, so their current head-to-head stands at a 2-2 deadlock. That said, it is the Russian who has taken the duo's last two meetings.
Andrey Rublev vs Roberto Bautista Agut prediction
Andrey Rublev entered the Qatar Open on a five-match winning streak, having recently secured the title in Rotterdam. With a bye in the first round and walkovers since, Rublev would be well-rested as he eyes a second consecutive finals appearance.
Even for Roberto Bautista Agut, this matchup is a shot at a second final in 2021. The Spaniard had come up just short in the summit clash of the Open Sud de France, and he seems to have rediscovered his best form in recent weeks.
This seems set to be a battle between Rublev's serving prowess and Bautista Agut's return. The Russian has been winning a lot of points behind his first delivery, but he will likely be tested against a confident-looking Bautista Agut.
If the Spaniard can push Rublev on the backfoot in some of the early exchanges, he could well put some pressure on the serve. He will also be hoping for a couple of tiebreaker sets, as he has been clinical in converting on the big points lately.
But if Rublev picks up from where he left off in Rotterdam, those opportunities are going to be far and few between for the Spaniard. The Russian is a clear favorite on paper, and if he brings out his A-game, he might have too much firepower for a possibly exhausted Bautista Agut.
Prediction: Andrey Rublev to win in three sets.
