World news – UA – Match of the day: Roberto Bautista Agut vs Andrey Rublev, Hamburg

Their first meeting on clay is expected to be close, with punters ranking Rublev as a lightweight (-148) favorite on Friday

Statistically speaking, clay is Roberto Bautista Agut’s worst surface This is not the Spanish way, but neither is the forehand with an eastern grip This makes the attack from high balls extremely difficult, unless You don’t have the talent of Roger Federer or the size of Juan Martin del Potro The more oriental the grip, the more you prefer to hit the ball low There is a reason why grass is the most successful surface in RBA

Even still, the Spaniard has a 74-50 on the dirt, picking up a pair of wins in Hamburg this weekBautista Agut is still a tough one no matter the surface, as is his Friday quarterfinal opponent Andrey Rublev, who can hit any court at any speed

After losing his first two matches in straight sets, Rublev avenged his loss to Bautista Agut, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (0), in Madrid in the Davis Cup final l ‘last year

It is imperative that Rublev protect his line after tearing his forehand cross Few players change direction with the forehand better than RBA, who has injured Rublev in the past with his running forehand on line If Rublev can tear his back cross zone with both hands and not resort to a slice, he should have the advantage given his firepower.

Both players prefer their forehand which means they will be looking for the same pattern, their forehands upside down to the opponent’s backhand The ability to take the backhand on the line and reverse that pattern will be crucial

Although Rublev is much more aggressive, they share a similar game plan controlling the point with their forehand and, if necessary, changing direction with their backhand in order to get more forehands

According to punters, Rublev is a slight favorite (-148), which means this game is practically a draw.In the end, Rublev’s ability to build rhythm should be rewarded with the slowness of the surface

Andrey Rublev, Roberto Bautista Agut, Hamburg European Open, Tennis, ATP Tour, Dominik Koepfer, Roger Federer