2021 ATP Cup Semi-Final – Matteo Berrettini vs Roberto Bautista Agut Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Matteo Berrettini vs Roberto Bautista Agut taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
When is Matteo Berrettini vs Roberto Bautista Agut on and what time does it start? Saturday 6th February, 2021 – Not before TBC (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Matteo Berrettini vs Roberto Bautista Agut? Visit this link for ticket information
What channel is Matteo Berrettini vs Roberto Bautista Agut on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Matteo Berrettini vs Roberto Bautista Agut in the UK? Amazon Prime Video subscribers can stream the match live
THE LOWDOWN
MATTEO BERRETTINI
- World number 10 Matteo Berrettini put in back-to-back straight-sets victories over Dominic Thiem and Gael Monfils to help Team Italy though to the semi-finals of the ATP Cup.
- The 24-year-old looks to have a good partnership with Fabio Fognini in the doubles and will certainly be able to challenge whichever doubles side Team Spain roll out if needed.
ROBETO BAUTISTA AGUT
- 33-year-old Roberto Bautista Agut continued to deputise for Rafael Nadal as Team Spain’s first option but was eventually outclassed by Stefanos Tsitsipas to see Greece win their dead rubber tie.
- Failing a surprise return to fitness for Rafael Nadal, Bautista Agut should face Matteo Berrettini here for the fifth time in their careers with the Italian leading a 3-1 head-to-head record.
THE PREDICTION
The pressure will be on here for one of Matteo Berrettini and Roberto Bautista Agut as they follow from the first match of the tie between Fabio Fognini and Pablo Carreno Busta. The likelihood is that Team Spain will be 1-0 up by this match and so the onus is more likely to be on 24-year-old Berrettini’s racket against a player who plays so well under pressure in Bautista Agut. Berrettini won the two previous meetings between the pair in 2019 when the young Italian was at the height of his powers, so far, and this match looks an incredibly difficult one to side with. Bautista Agut is excellent up against a wall and plays exceptionally well for Spain, though his defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas does suggest a Berrettini in peak form can edge past him. The pair have never shared more than two sets but this looks like it could be the first time for that. Given that Team Italy should need this more than Spain, Berrettini to win in three is the cautious call.
Although if Carreno Busta is beaten by Fognini in the first match it might be wise to back Bautista Agut to dig deeper here and level things up.
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