Basel Open 2022: Holger Rune vs. Roberto Bautista Agut Tennis Pick and Prediction

TennisSection previews the 2022 Basel Open as Holger Rune takes on Roberto Bautista Agut in the semifinal on Saturday, October 29th, 2022.

Holger Rune continued to stay perfect at the Basel Open as he progressed into his third successive semifinals indoors. But he will cross swords with the ATP’s last remaining seasoned veteran this week in Roberto Bautista Agut. Who will reach the final?

Holger Rune won his eighth match on the trot and his 12th in 13 matches as he targets another title-winning run this week. The Danish young gun has already qualified for the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan where he will be one of the favorites to hoist the crown. But before he turns his attentions at the season-endingfinale, Rune could still add to his trophy cabinet this week. The 19-year-old defeated big-serving Arthur Rindeknech in the last quarterfinal of the day at the Basel in 82 minutes. He did not face a single break point in the match as he raced to victory in straight sets.

Roberto Bautista Agut, meanwhile, gatecrashed Stan Wawrinka’s homecoming on Friday night at the Basel Open. The 34-year-old Spaniard had not scaled the quarterfinal hurdle in each of his previous three trips in Basel, but produced consistent baseline hitting to deny the home favorite. Agut won 7-5 7-6 in a tight match that saw him convert only two of 14 break points.

Holger Rune and Roberto Bautista Agut have not crossed paths on the ATP Tour. Saturday’s semifinal match at the Basel Open will be their first official meeting. Rune has been in top gear in the last few weeks as he rapid rise continues to take shape. What is even more astounding being how his game has developedsuperbly in such a short space of time, with his ability to mix his shots at key moments proving decisive. But he comes up against an astute baseliner in Bautista Agut. The Spaniard is a tough cookie and should prove a formidable opposition in a very close semifinal.