Dubai 2018: Lucas Pouille targets top 10 against Bautista Agut in third final in three weeks
Lucas Pouille beat Filip Krajinovic in three sets to set up a final against Roberto Bautista Agut in the Dubai final
No2 seed, the 24-year-old Lucas Pouille, who arrived in Dubai on the back of the Montpellier title and Marseille final in February, will take on No3 seed Roberto Bautista Agut for the title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Pouille was stretched to the limit before overcoming an opponent against whom he also had a fierce battle in the Marseille quarter-finals last week, Filip Krajinovic. That match took two hours, this one needed two hours 19 minutes, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(5).
The start of the match was delayed by light rain, and then just one game was completed before a short break. When play resumed, Pouille put away a volley to break for 4-2 on his fifth break point, and that was enough to secure the opening set.
In the second set, Pouille failed to convert a break point at 1-1, and although he did go on to break to lead 3-2, he was unable to serve out the match at 5-4. After another rain break, Pouille again failed to convert a break point for 6-5, and a relieved Krajinovic took the tiebreak.
There were no break points in a closely-fought final set, with Pouille squeezing out the tie-break in what had been a high-quality match full of winners—49 from Pouille—and all-court variety, with plenty of forward play, especially from Krajinovic.
Pouille admitted:
“I was much better first and second set, 6-3, 5-3. I think I made a mistake [to] continue playing when it was raining. After that, we couldn’t even move. It was just serve and return. But he deserved to win the second set. I mean, he put the return in the court. He was aggressive. Then in the third, it was very, very close. Yeah, I’m just very happy I get through this one.”
In the second semi-final, Bautista Agut ended the brave run of unseeded wild card Malek Jaziri, winning 6-3, 6-4.
Jaziri’’s performances have lit up Centre Court this week, and he went down fighting. After Bautista Agut had taken the opening set off the back of a break in the second game, Jaziri broke to lead 3-1 and held for 4-1 in the second. But although he was cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd, he was unable to hold on to his lead, and Bautista Agut went on a five-game run.
That run was almost thwarted in the last game, after Jaziri worked three break points, 0-40, but Bautista Agut fought back, and served it out, though Jaziri was unable to challenge a final second serve that looked long: He had used up his three challenges.
Jaziri afterwards confessed that all his efforts this week had taken their toll.
“I was not ready today physically,100 percent like I wanted. I gave everything on the court. I put a lot of energy to come back [in the] second set. 4-1, I had a few opportunities. I went down a little bit physically. I think he made me play every ball. Not easy to play a player like him. Every time you have to push more, to go forward to the court, to make winners. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. Not easy to play guys like that if you’re not ready physically.”
Bautista Agut said:
“Well, I’m happy, no? I’m in the first final in a 500 event. I think I did a great match. He had very good support from the crowd. It was a nice feeling on the court. He was playing unbelievable at the beginning of the second set. He was playing very fast. He was playing some good volleys. I tried to play very aggressive. I think I did it.”
He has played Pouille three times before, losing the most recent in a tight five-setter at the US Open in 2016. The Frenchman is already guaranteed a new career-high by reaching the final, No12, and he will break the top 10 if he wins the title.
