Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut has won the ASB Classic after Jack Sock retired trailing 6-1, 1-0, due to illness.
The world No.25 has produced a duo of impressive wins this week after stunning John Isner and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the two previous rounds to reach the final in Auckland. Meanwhile, Sock has also impressed many in New Zealand with wins over Kevin Anderson and top seed David Ferrer.
Following both players’ paths to the final, many was expecting a blockbuster finale between Bautista Agut and Sock. Unfortunately, it failed to turn out that way due to the American feeling unwell. The Spaniard started the match nervous with two consecutive double faults before finding his game. The immediate blip was the only trouble Bautista Agut experienced against an ailing Sock.
It was clear that Sock was far from his best after only getting 40% of his first serves in and winning just 33% of his second. After exactly 30-minutes on the court, the world No.26 was forced to retire to hand Bautista Agut his third ATP title.
Following Sock’s semifinal win over David Ferrer yesterday, the American said he woke up with with ‘flu-like symptoms’. Prior to the final he was advised by a doctor not to play.
“I woke up, my head was pounding again and the doctor came by the hotel this morning to do some tests,” Sock said.
“After he assessed me and he and my physio thought it would be in my best interest not to play.
“So in the morning it was looking like I wasn’t going to take the court, but I told him I wanted to warm up, see how I felt and at least try to take the court”.
The win for Bautista Agut has elevated him to 21st in the ATP rankings. The 27-year-old spoke of his delight following the win.
“I feel so happy, it couldn’t be better than now,” Bautista Agut said.
“I did a great job, I was working so hard. I did a good last season and a good preparation for this one and I’m just so happy.”
There will be no time for celebration for the Spaniard who will fly straight to Melbourne for the Australian Open. The close proximity of tournaments is one thing which the Spanish player doesn’t like.
That’s the one thing I don’t like about tennis,” he said.
“I can’t go out today, when the match was finished, five minutes later I was thinking about Melbourne. You have no time to rest, no time to think.”
Bautista Agut will start his Australian Open campaign against Slovakia’s Martin Klizan.
