Roberto Bautista Agut vs Jannik Sinner Semi-Finals Prediction | Preview | H2H: Miami Open 2021

The 7th seed Roberto Bautista Agut sets up a superb showdown against the 21st seed Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Miami Open.

Agut played a near-perfect match to defeat the top seed Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-2 in the quarterfinals. The opening set went tight as 8 games were split equally between them. 

A crucial break of serve by Agut in the 9th game gave him much-needed momentum to serve out the first set. Medvedev lost his cool and smashed his racquet in frustration. 

The Spaniard completely outplayed the World number 2 in the second set with his incredible foot speed, backhand passes, and strong groundstrokes from the baseline. 

Overall, Agut clinched 76% of his second-serve points and did not commit a single double fault. It was his third win in a row against Medvedev. 

On the other hand, Sinner continued his fantastic form in the 2021 season overcoming the 32nd seed Alexander Bublik 7-6(5) 6-4. The Italian won 65% and 63% of points on his first and second serve respectively and also fired 36 winners (28 with his powerful inside-out forehand). 

Head to Head Record

Sinner leads the head-to-head record 1-0 against Agut. Both the player met just two weeks ago in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis championships. The Italian beat Roberto in three sets.

“It was a very tough match in Dubai, and it was a very tight score, he is playing great, very solid and has very good strokes, I have to say he will be one of the best players in the world, I want to enjoy another good match and be happy about playing in the semi-finals," said Agut eager to get a revenge victory against the Next-Gen sensation Sinner.

Key Insights

• Agut is playing his fourth ATP Masters 1000 semifinal in his career.
• Both Agut and Sinner are right-handed players with two-handed backhands.
• Agut is the oldest player (32 years) left in the main draw of the tournament.
• Agut lost to John Isner in the quarterfinals of the last-held Miami Open in 2019.
• This is the first time both Agut and Sinner have reached the Miami Open semifinals.
• Sinner is the youngest-ever Italian (19 years) and the eighth teenager to reach the semifinals of the Miami Open in the last 36 years. He is also playing the tournament in Miami for the first time in his career.
• Sinner is the second Italian player to book a spot in the last four at Miami after Fabio Fognini did it in 2017.
• If Sinner wins the semis against Agut, he will reach his second ATP final of 2021 after reaching the Adelaide Open finals in January.
• If Agut wins against Sinner in the semifinals, he will enter his third ATP final this year after playing finals in the Montpellier Open in February and Doha Open in March.

Game Analysis

Agut is a solid counterpuncher and can tire down his opponents by playing long rallies. His deep returns from the back of the court force players to opt for a defensive strategy. The Spaniard possesses an uncanny accuracy in his groundstrokes and is consistent from the baseline. 

Sinner has impressed with his mental toughness. Despite trailing in the tiebreaker of the first set and down 0-3 in the second set against the talented Bublik, he fought back strongly hitting a series of forehand winners. The Italian played clutch tennis in the crucial points. 

This match will go down to the wire and both the players are expected to have some gruelling exchange of shots at the baseline. Sinner can take his game up by one level in the tiebreakers. Agut has immense experience at this stage having played multiple matches earlier in his career.

The Spaniard's superior returning skills from the baseline of the court gives him a slight edge though Sinner is expected to put up a great fight.

Prediction - Roberto Bautista Agut to win in three sets

Featured Image Credits - First Sportz