Chennai Open: Agut, Youzhny set up quarter-final clash

Mikhail Youzhny
Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny to face Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the Quarters

Internet Desk: Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut and Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny set up an exciting quarter-final clash in the 22nd Aircel Chennai Open, by cantering to facile victories at the SDAT Stadium here on Thursday.

The World No. 14 and second seed here, Agut, needed just one hour and 15 minutes to quell a spirited challenge from Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-3, 6-2; the seventh seeded Youzhny was equally imperious, romping past Argentina’s Renzo Olivo 6-1, 7-5.

“He is a former Top 10 player and a tough opponent,” Agut said, speaking of their upcoming face-off. “But I will make him work on the court and he will have to fight it out if he wants to beat me,” he added.

Agut, a regular visitor to Chennai and the 2013 finalist, didn’t show any signs of rustiness despite playing his first match after a two-month break. He dictated the proceedings by serving hard and unleashing strong backhand and forehand winners.

He broke Dutra Silva thrice, in the sixth game in the first set and the fifth and seventh games in the second set. Dutra Silva, who seemed to be getting into his rhythm in the second set, came apart when he was called for a foot-fault in the fifth game. He was up 40-30 at that stage and just couldn’t recover from the blow.

Agut broke him promptly scampering to a finely executed drop shot and converting it into a winner.

“I don’t think one point makes such a difference, that you lose a match,” Agut said, referring to Dutra Silva’s blowout.

The 28-year-old Spaniard was pretty happy about his game. “I felt great on the court, without any match practice,” Agut said, looking ahead to the year. “It was a little windy. But the conditions are good, the court is good, to play at night,” he added.

World No. 57 Youzhny and Olivo traded breaks in the first three games before the former took charge of the match. He broke Olivo in the fifth and seventh games to seal the first set 6-1 under 30 minutes. The second set went with serves all the way till the wire before Olivo imploded, serving at 5-6 to save the match. A double-fault handed the game, set and match to Youzhny.

Results : Singles: Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) beats Rogerio Dutra Silva (BRA) 6-3 6-2 ; Renzo Olivo (ARG) beats Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 6-1 7-5