TennisSection previews the 2021 Rome Open as Roberto Bautista Agut (10) meets Cristian Garin in the Second Round on Wednesday May 12th, 2021.
A huge battle is expected in the Second Round here at the 2021 Rome Open as tenth seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain faces Chilean Cristian Garin. This is one of the best matchups of the Second Round between two excellent players. Will it be the veteran Bautista Agut getting the win, or will the young clay court specialist Cristian Garin advance to the Round of 16?
Roberto Bautista Agut is currently ranked #11 in the ATP world rankings and is the tenth seed here at the 2021 Rome Open. Bautista Agut has been one of the most consistent players in the world over the past decade, and has a wealth of experience. However, the Spaniard has been having a uncharacteristically inconsistent season so far in 2021, reaching Finals in Montpelier and Qatar, with numerous early-round losses scattered in between. He will be hoping to right the ship and get his season back on track here in Rome, but unfortunately is up against one of the world’s very best clay-court players in Cristian Garin. While Bautista Agut is ranked higher, the surface and their recent form may slightly give the edge to his younger opponent, but it surely will be a close match.
Cristian Garin is the Chilean #1 and is currently ranked #22 in the ATP world rankings. A former junior Roland Garros champion, he has established himself as one of the top clay court players in the world, already winning five titles on the surface at only 24 years of age. He has been having a mixed season so far in 2021, winning a title in Santiago but struggling at several key tournaments. The Chilean has seemingly turned his fortunes around recently, and is coming off a strong run to the Quarter-Finals last week at the Madrid Masters. He began his 2021 Rome Open in solid form, defeating South African Lloyd Harris in straight sets. Garin’s heavy groundstrokes are sure to cause his opponent Roberto Bautista Agut some serious problems, but the veteran has seen it all and will be up for the challenge.
Rather surprisingly, this will be the first meeting between the two players on the ATP Tour, and their head to head record stands at 0-0. This match between Roberto Bautista Agut and Cristian Garin has the feel of a late-round match, and it is unfortunate that they are meeting so early in this event. I expect a huge battle, and it is very difficult to pick a winner. This match will almost certainly go down to the wire, and I am going with the veteran Roberto Bautista-Agut to get the win here. His experience and immense mental focus will be crucial here. Garin is one of the best clay court players in the world but tends to struggle at times in the big moments, and the Spaniard won’t allow him to get away with that. Roberto Bautista Agut will get a hard fought win and advance to the Round of 16 here at the 2021 Rome Open.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Roberto Bautista Agut to win.
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