Dubai: Third seed Roberto Bautista-Agut sees the lack of top 10 players at this week’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as a great opportunity to go further than he has ever been in the tournament.
“I think this tournament is going to be more open because there is not many top 10 players,” said the 29-year-old Spaniard, who was twice knocked-out by Novak Djokovic in the Last 16 at this event in 2013 and 2014.
“I played many years against Novak and Dubai was a really tough draw all years, but it’s a great opportunity now, I’m seeded and I hope to have a great week.
“I’m going to try and play better,” the World No. 22 said of beating his previous best quarter-final finish in 2016 from a total of five appearances in Dubai.
“But the draw is still tough, everyone can play good.
“I think the circuit now is more equal, we have a lot of players playing a really good level of tennis.
“The ‘flying’ conditions will also make the matches closer so I think it’s going to be crucial to play well on the courts in the important moments.
“I think here the conditions in Dubai are pretty fast and it makes the ball fly more.”
Bautista-Agut, who plays Florian Mayer first up and has fifth seed Richard Gasquet in his half of the draw, comes into this event off the back of a win in Auckland last month, which was the seventh ATP title of his career and his second in that event since first winning it in 2016. This all adds to his confidence.
“I played well in Auckland. I had a really good week and it was special for me to win the title again there and to have a really good win in the final against Juan Martin del Potro. I think it was a good start to year for me.”
Another player who thinks it’s getting closer in the absence of big names is Holland’s Robin Haase.
“Not only at this tournament but the whole of last year, we are beginning to see a lot more surprises and different winners,” said the 30-year-old Dutchman who plays Paolo Lorenzi first up before a possible second round with top seed Grigor Dimitrov.
“The top guys that used to win everything are either injured or struggling and all the other guys have been playing better. The level is getting closer and that’s great.
“You used to be able to predict six out of eight who would make the quarters but now it’s maybe two out of eight and that’s good to see more variety. I’m looking forward to playing in these times because it’s more open than ever,” he added.
