Winston-Salem Open: Roberto Bautista Agut lifts 6th ATP title with straight-sets win over Damir Dzumhur

Miami: Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut warmed up for the US Open by claiming his second ATP title of the season on Saturday at the Winston-Salem Open. The top seed — and runner-up to compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta in the tournament last year — defeated first-time ATP finalist Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. The triumph comes after his January victory at Chennai, and his two titles in 2017 match his career best for a season. He also won two tournaments in 2014. [caption id=“attachment_3979857” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Roberto Bautista Agut returns a shot to Damir Dzumhur in the final of the Winston-Salem Open. AP[/caption] Bautista Agut’s ninth career crown was a confidence-builder, with the US Open set to start on Monday at Flushing Meadows. “I had a great week,” he said. “I hope to continue this momentum in New York.” The Spaniard seized early leads in each set before Dzumhur battled back. Bautista Agut led 4-1 in the first and 3-1 in the second before the Bosnian rallied. But 15th-ranked Bautista Agut, who didn’t drop a set all tournament, was ultimately too much for Dzumhur, whose challenge ended with a forehand long on Bautista Agut’s first match point. Despite the defeat, Dzumhur — who was playing in a lower-level Challenger final in the Dominican Republic last week — was pleased with his week. “Best week for me so far,” he said. “It was an unexpected good week for me and definitely one that I will always remember.”