Roberto Bautista Agut wins in French Open tennis just week after mother’s death

Roberto Bautista Agut reached the French Open second round Monday with a 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin.

Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut reached the French Open second round Monday, just a week after his mother passed away.

Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut plays a forehand return to Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin during their men's singles first round match on day two of The Roland Garros 2018 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 28, 2018. (AFP)

Ester Agut died last Monday but the world number 13 decided to come to Paris in honour of his mother.

“It’s been emotional for everything that has been happening to me this week,” said the 30-year-old after beating Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

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“It’s not easy to handle all this in your head.

“I thought it was best to come here, take a step forward, not hide and not stay at home. I wanted to continue fighting as I have always done.”