Agut Has Solved Murray

Roberto Bautista Agut lost the first three times he played Andy Murray, in 2014 on grass, 2015 on clay and then 2016 in the Shanghai final on hard 76 61.

But the Spaniard renowned for his consistency must have figured something out over the next two years. Their fourth meeting was at 2019 Australian Open first round and Agut finally beat Murray 64 64 67 67 62.

The rivalry totally changed then. Agut won the next two matches which were played in 2022 easily 60 61 in Doha and then 63 62 in Basel.

Yesterday they played again for the seventh time, to break the 3-3 career deadlock and once again the 34 year old Agut was dominant against his one year older adversary, 61 67 63 64.

Agut has won 11 titles and over $16.7m in his career compared to Murray’s 46 titles and $63.2m.

“Always playing Andy is very tough,” Bautista Agut said. “He knows very well how to play a Grand Slam match. I am happy with how I handled the nerves and tension through the match, to play good tennis. I am very happy with the win.

“I am feeling good on the court. I am competing well and I am doing everything I can off court to make sure I play good matches. Today was very tough.”

Next up for Agut will be American Tommy Paul in round of 16. Agut’s best run at AO was QF in 2019.

Murray said he will play two ATP 250 tournaments next month in Dubai and Rotterdam.

Andy Murray · AO · Mizuno · Roberto Bautista Agut · Spain

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