The National Times - 'I deserved this,' says Bautista Agut after 12th career title

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'I deserved this,' says Bautista Agut after 12th career title

SPORTS 20.10.2024

'I deserved this,' says Bautista Agut after 12th career title / Photo: © Belga/AFP

Roberto Bautista Agut claimed his 12th career title in Antwerp on Sunday by defeating Jiri Lehecka in the pair's third meeting in the last six weeks and insisted: "I deserved a week like this".

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The 36-year-old Spanish veteran, a former top-10 player now down at 60 in the world, edged out his 33rd-ranked rival from the Czech Republic 7-5, 6-1.

Bautista Agut had seen off Lehecka in the Davis Cup in September before the Czech gained revenge with a second-round win at the Beijing tournament.

"This one is very special," said Bautista Agut whose last title had come in 2022 at Kitzbuehel.

"I broke my foot last year and I had to fight so hard this year. I went back to 120 in the world, but I was still going to practice with a smile on my face, trying to be a better player, to fight until the end of my career.

"I think I deserved a week like this."

Bautista Agut is the second oldest men's champion on the tour in 2024 after 37-year-old Novak Djokovic claimed Olympic gold in Paris in August.

C.Stevenson--TNT

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