Nikoloz Basilashvili downed Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 in the final of the Qatar Open for his fourth ATP title.
The Georgian earned the first two break points at 3-2 in the second set, and he took his chance before going on to close out the match in 90 minutes.
Basilashvili had only won two matches from his previous 16 going into the tournament, but he saved a match point to defeat Roger Federer in the quarter-finals.
"I had zero expectations, for sure, to win (the) tournament," said Basilashvili, who has now won his last four finals.
Basilashvili's ongoing presence, and success, on the ATP Tour is a point of contention. Like top-10 star Alexander Zverev, Basilashvili has been accused of domestic violence.
"Nikoloz Basilashvili continues to play, and now win, after being arrested last year for domestic violence against his ex-wife, Neka Dorokashvili, who has a restraining order against him. Hearings are ongoing in Georgia," tennis reporter Carayol Tumaini tweeted after his semi-final win in Doha.
https://twitter.com/tumcarayol/status/1370454231933652992?s=20
Basilashvili was charged over an incident in which he is alleged to have assaulted his ex-wife in front of their young son. He was granted bail and is facing up to three years in jail if found guilty.
Discontent over Basilashvili's ongoing tennis career reignited on social media after his Qatar Open win, with many critical of the ATP Tour for allowing him to play.
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