US Open: Wimbledon Semifinalist Roberto Bautista Agut Withdraws

The US Open is now just over a week away from beginning. LWOT is the best place on the internet for all the build-up to the final Grand Slam of the year. There will be further news, previews and other analysis for fans to enjoy  before play starts on August 28th in New York.

Another notable withdrawal is the latest US Open news. There were four withdrawals last week, and two days ago  news of four more who had withdrawn from the US Open was announced. Read below for full details of the event’s latest absentee.

Roberto Bautista Agut Withdraws From US Open

Former world #9 Bautista Agut has not played since a loss on the clay courts of Gstaad in mid-July. It was reported that the Spaniard suffered a freak injury while attending to the horses that he owns. The father of the former Wimbledon semifinalist actually tragically passed away after an accident involving his horses. Fortunately his son’s injury was not that serious, leading to a sprain.

Sadly though, it is serious enough for Bautista Agut to withdraw from Flushing Meadows. He has twice reached the fourth round in New York, evidencing his ability as an all-court player. Bautista Agut had withdrawn from next week’s Winston-Salem Open, making him at that point one of many players with injury concerns before the year’s final Grand Slam. We hope he makes as swift a recovery as possible for the rest of the season.

Who Replaces Bautista Agut in the Draw?

25-year-old Japanese player Yosuke Watanuki is now in the main draw after Bautista Agut’s withdrawal. It will be the current world #90’s first appearance in the main draw of the US Open. Watanuki has now reached that stage in three of the four Grand Slams this year, after also doing so at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. He won both his previous first round matches this season, including a five-set victory at Wimbledon against Marc-Andrea Huesler of Switzerland. It remains to be seen if the talented player can show the same prowess in New York.

Maxime Cressy will be the next player to enter the main draw if there is another withdrawal. It has been a very difficult year so far for the American. He has lost 20 0f his 29 matches this season, and that has led to him dropping out of the Top 100. Cressy will hope that the US Open courts are fast if he does reach the main draw. This would help his pure serve and volleying style of play.