ATP Rome – Paul vs. Bautista Agut

ATP Rome – Paul vs. Bautista Agut

🧠 Form & Context

Tommy Paul
Tommy Paul remains a top-20 presence, but his 2024 season has lacked firepower. While he’s managed to get past lower-ranked opponents, his performances against elite competition have been underwhelming. A one-sided loss to Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells and a 2–6, 2–6 defeat to Jack Draper in Madrid’s Round of 16 underline that drop in competitiveness.

He’s also let key ranking opportunities slip through his fingers—failing to defend deep runs in Dallas and Indian Wells. However, there is one silver lining: Rome was a breakout event for him last year, where he reached the semifinals after impressive wins over Medvedev and Hurkacz. He’ll be looking to tap into that experience to reset his 2024 campaign.

Roberto Bautista Agut
The Spanish veteran has started to find his footing again on clay. After a slow and inconsistent start to 2024, RBA has strung together 4 wins in his last 7 matches—all on the red dirt—including a composed straight-set win over Matteo Arnaldi in the first round here in Rome.

That said, consistency remains elusive. Since his surprise title run in Antwerp last October, he hasn’t managed to win back-to-back ATP matches. At 36, RBA’s fitness and explosiveness have declined, and while his court craft and grit remain intact, he’s no longer imposing enough to outlast top-tier opponents.

He’s 0–2 against top-20 players this year, losing without taking a set to both Medvedev and de Minaur. This match offers a shot at redemption, but he'll need to raise his level significantly to keep up with Paul’s baseline speed and athleticism.

🔍 Match Breakdown

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