Roberto Bautista Agut has retired just 23 minutes into his first-round match on the Monte Carlo Masters. The Spanish ace misplaced within the second spherical of qualifying however obtained into the primary draw as a fortunate loser and got here up towards Matteo Berrettini within the first match on the primary Court Rainier III on Tuesday.
But the match had barely gotten going when the previous world No. 9 was compelled to throw within the towel whereas trailing Berrettini 0-4. Bautista Agut appeared hampered within the ultimate level of the fourth recreation, not transferring a lot across the baseline as he was damaged for the second time.
“He’s a long way off, isn’t he?” commentator Nick Lester mentioned. Bautista Agut walked to the again of the courtroom, rotated, and waved his arm in direction of his staff, seemingly saying he was finished.
“Is he just saying, ‘Do I pull the plug here?’ It does look that way, doesn’t it?” Lester added, as cameras lower to the Spaniard’s coach, who appeared involved. Bautista Agut performed another level as Berrettini served with a 4-0 lead, however misplaced it, and walked in direction of the web to shake palms, taking off his hat.
Berrettini realised what was taking place and rushed over for the handshake, asking his opponent what was fallacious. The umpire introduced that Bautista Agut had retired, sending the Italian by way of to the second spherical.
“I think he’s done. What a disappointing start to the day that is,” Lester added. “Berrettini knows all about this; he’s suffered with injuries, but he’s through. Day at the office, just 20 minutes or so. He’ll take that. Disappointing.”
Co-commentator Gilles Muller replied: “Especially being a lucky loser, got a second chance, but unfortunately wasn’t able to take advantage of it, Bautista. Hopefully it’s nothing serious, and he recovers quickly. Quick day at the office, but I’m pretty sure Thomas Enqvist [Berrettini’s coach] is going to book a practice court and get some work done.”
Former world No. 6 Berrettini, a wildcard entrant at this yr’s Monte Carlo Masters, will now face seventh seed Daniil Medvedev, who acquired a bye into the second spherical.
Bautista Agut retired shortly after 11.30am native time (10.30am BST). The subsequent match on Court Rainier III, which can see Jannik Sinner tackle Ugo Humbert, won’t start till 12.15pm native time (11.15am BST).
