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World No. 97 Pedro Martinez spoke positively of Roberto Bautista Agut after upsetting the former Wimbledon semifinalist in the Kitzbuhel round-of-16. Martinez, who is having his debut campaign in Kitbuhel, stunned second-seeded Bautista Agut 6-4 6-7 (5) 7-5 to reach the Kitbuhel quarterfinal.
Spain's Martinez was delighted that he managed to beat Bautista Agut, whom he respects so much. "It was a really good battle from the start until the end. We both fought almost every point. I respect him so much," Martinez said in his on-court interview, as quoted on the ATP website.
"What he's done on the Tour in past years is amazing. We are from the same region in Spain. Today it's unbelievable to play this match against him on this nice court."
Martinez edged out Bautista Agut
Martinez claimed the first break of the match in the fifth game but got broken back immediately in the following game.
Martinez then failed to convert any of his two break points in the seventh game but also saved a break point in the eighth game. After saving a break point in the eighth game, Martinez broke Bautista Agut in the ninth game and then served out for the match in the following game.
Bautista Agut made a positive start to the second set as he broke Martinez in the second game and saved a break point in the third game to take a 3-0 lead. However, Martinez responded, having won the following three games to level the set at three games apiece.
Bautista Agut again broke Martinez but fails to serve out for the set in the 10th game a s the set went into a tie-break. Bautista Agut was down 5-4 in the tie-break but then won three consecutive points to force a decider.
Martinez failed to convert any of his two break points in the sixth game but broke Bautista Agut in the 12th game to claim a tight three-set win. Martinez plays next against Jozef Kovalik.