Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut showcased his trademark resilience on the grass courts of the Cinch Championships at Queen's Club, overcoming a spirited challenge from Portugal's Nuno Borges in a tight three-set encounter. The 37-year-old battled back to win 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4 to book his spot in the second round.
He now faces a formidable opponent in the Czech Republic's rising star, 19-year-old Jakub Mensik. The youngster has had a breakthrough 2025 season and presents a significant hurdle for the seasoned Spaniard.
Bautista Agut, currently ranked in the 80s, has had a mixed season so far, with a win-loss record of 8-15 heading into the Queen's Club tournament. However, his experience and fighting spirit were on full display against Borges. After dropping a tight first-set tiebreak, Bautista Agut dug deep, breaking his opponent's serve at crucial moments in the subsequent sets to seal the victory.
The upcoming clash with Mensik is a classic tale of experience versus youth. While Bautista Agut brings a wealth of knowledge and a game well-suited to grass, Mensik arrives with momentum and a powerful, modern game that has already troubled top players this year.
Earlier in 2025, Bautista Agut celebrated a joyous personal milestone with the birth of his second child, a son named Lucas, in January. Now, he will be hoping to translate that off-court happiness into a deep run at one of the most prestigious warm-up tournaments for Wimbledon.
The winner of the Bautista Agut versus Mensik match will advance to the quarterfinals of the Cinch Championships, a key indicator of form heading into the third Grand Slam of the year.
