The field at the ATP Antwerp event – the European Open – has been narrowed down to just two men after a thrilling week of tennis. Jiri Lehecka will compete in his third ATP final and seek his second career title. On the opposite side of the net will be the experienced Roberto Bautista Agut. He is looking to end a two-year title drought. But who will lift the title at the ATP European Open?
ATP Antwerp Final Prediction
Jiri Lehecka vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Head-to-head: Bautista Agut 3-1 Lehecka
Lehecka accounted for one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by eliminating second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinal. The Czech’s immaculate ball striking had also garnered victories over Jaume Munar and Daniel Altmaier. In the semifinal, Lehecka dropped a set for the first time this week, but it was only a minor blip as he steamrolled past Marcos Giron 6-2 in the decider.
His opponent, Bautista Agut, has rolled back the years at the ATP Antwerp Open. The veteran Spaniard kicked off his campaign with a routine 6-2 6-1 win over French qualifier Luca Van Assche. And from then on, he overcame two higher-ranked players—Tomas Martin Etcheverry and third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. With the top seed Alex de Minaur cleared from his path, Bautista Agut defeated the Australian’s conqueror, Hugo Gaston, in the semifinal with a performance of relentless aggression. He did not face a single break point.
This should be a riveting battle between two players who are not too dissimilar in their playing style. And unsurprisingly, their two matches this year were fiercely contested. Bautista Agut won a singles rubber against Lehecka as Spain walloped Czechia in the Davis Cup qualifiers. But the 22-year-old exacted revenge in three sets in Beijing just a few weeks ago. Bautista Agut is the steadier competitor, but the more aggressive player will be rewarded in this final, that’s for sure. Lehecka’s game thrives on attacking, so he will be looking to dictate points and force the Spaniard to go for the riskier shots. If the young Czech successfully executes that game plan, he will likely win his second career title.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
Main photo credit: Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports
