Top seed Roberto Bautista-Agut ensured that the top half of the draw went completely to form as he reached the final by defeating the left-handed Gilles Muller 7-6, 6-4.
The Spaniard, who has not dropped a set en route to the final in defeating Filip Krajinovic (walkover), Adrian Mannarino and Muller has been in excellent form.
The match itself was typically close, as the veteran Muller displayed strong serving to stay with Bautista-Agut, who dominated any extended rallies. Muller was forced to save three break points on the way to the tie-break, and Bautista-Agut one. Bautista-Agut was able to take an early two-one lead in the tie-break, and held the rest of the way to take the first set.
Muller then suffered a slight dip as his first serve percentage, points won on first serve, and points won on second serve all took a hit. It was enough for Bautista-Agut to take the solitary break of the match. The top seed was imperious himself on serve in the second set, dropping just six points, offering Muller no chances to retrieve the situation. Bautista-Agut now leads the head-to-head with Muller 3-2 if all matches including Challengers are considered.
Bautista-Agut now waits for the winner of the semi-final from the bottom section of the draw. His opponent will be either seventh seed Martin Klizan, or second seed Victor Troicki, but given Bautista-Agut’s excellent form (he also won Auckland this year), he must be considered the strong favourite.
