Everyone–except Dominic Thiem on clay–looks just about hopeless against the Big 3 these days. But if there is anyone who won’t lack belief, it is Roberto Bautista Agut against Novak Djokovic.
That will be the matchup in the first Wimbledon semifinal on Friday afternoon.
Although Bautista Agut still trails the head-to-head series 7-3, he is 2-0 against Djokovic this season. The Spaniard prevailed 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 in the Doha semis and 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 during fourth-round action in Miami. They have never faced each other on grass, while all three of their previous Grand Slam encounters have gone Djokovic’s way in four sets (2015 U.S. Open, 2016 French Open, 2018 French Open).
“He is very solid from baseline,” Bautista Agut said when asked why he and Djokovic always have tough matches. “He likes to play a lot of rallies. Well, I like to play against opponent like this–to play a match with a lot of rallies. Against Novak, that’s what we do.”
Nothing was difficult about either competitor’s trip to the semis. Djokovic split his first two sets with Hubert Hurkacz 7-5, 6-7(5) before rolling, but he otherwise made mincemeat out of Philipp Kohlschreiber, Denis Kudla, Ugo Humbert, and David Goffin. The world No. 1 is now 70-10 lifetime at the All-England Club with four titles, three of which have come in the last five years–including one last summer.
Bautista Agut has also dropped just a single set this fortnight. The world No. 22 trounced Peter Gojowyczk, Steve Darcis, Karen Khachanov, and Benoit Paire before beating Guido Pella 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the quarters.
“His consistency, I think,” Djokovic answered when asked about the best aspect’s of Bautista Agut’s game. “His ability to stay in the point even when it seems like he’s on the back foot. He’s got amazing consistency I think with his shots. Very flat from both forehand and backhand. He has improved his backhand; I think he’s got more depth on his backhand. The ball bounces lower on the grass, which is I think more suitable to his style of the game. He doesn’t like when the ball bounces higher to his backhand. He’s been playing some very, very high-quality tennis in this tournament. He has won twice against me so far this year. That’s certainly going to give him confidence coming into the match.
“(In the) semifinals of a Grand Slam, (I’m) going to try to use my experience in being in these kind of matches (and) get myself tactically prepared.”
Djokovic is absolutely correct that a slam situation is entirely different from the likes of Doha or even Miami. The top-seeded Serb’s urgency level will increase tenfold and that should allow him to fend off what will be yet another stern test from Bautista Agut.
Pick: Djokovic in 4
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This is an extremely physical match and RBA comes through with a huge hold in the 1st game of the 4th. High quality stuff from both players.
Djoko is finally being put to the test. At least this won’t be an easy match for him to win. It’ll probably take him 3 hours if he were to win in four.
This court looks like an Indian Wells court. I hope Federer wouldn’t be that sad about the current condition of this court as he could imagine his last encounter with Nadal on Indian Wells! 🙂
I swear ure more nervous than Roger and Rafa!!
Amy is so funny when she’s mad :))
Glad to.be a source of instant mirth for you Eugene!☺
Usually they have different.commies for the next match. I sincerely hope so because I have had to mute the tv!
This is me amy!!
Always welcome amy.
Looks like Agut is handing in the towel
At least he’s taken a set and somewhat pushed Novak
That should do it; RBA isn’t coming back from a double break. He looks a bit fatigued to me, not surprising given some of the rallies in the bright sun and wind.
Thanks for coming Agut! At least we do not have to wait till sun set to get the Fedal match on court.
Woooooohoooooo
Into the final, Ajde Nole!!
2 hours and 50 minutes. Demons Conquered. He was too nervous at times, I have to admit.
https://www.flashscore.com/match/WQR97Wkf/#match-statistics;0
Congrats to Nole fans
good effort Agut, it was closer than the score-line suggests
Thank you, Shireling.
But at least he made it in 4 not 5. And under 3 hours. Plus he didn’t run as many meters as Bautista-Agut. I have to take what I can. I would have felt better without that 2nd set loss, too.
Sorry for your loss Shireling – I know you are a Roberto Bautista-Agut fan. It would have been great for RBA to make the final here! I respect him a lot.
Oh good I get to turn the sound on! Nole says he is a fan of Fedal matches. Bet he is hoping it goes 5!
Apparently Mac picked Roger to win. Booo!
Oh God nerves are kicking in now!
I have been very calm last night and up until now. But the nerves have kicked in as the match is about to start.
Vamos Rafa!
Fed serving very well to start. Rafa not quite as good off the serve but very strong off the ground. On serve at 3-2 Fed.
Fed plays a brilliant TB to take the first set. Go Roger!
Fed starting to return much better. If he keeps this up he will generate some breaks.
Big holds for both players, especially Rafa, facing two break points in the last game. A very high quality match so far.
Fed missed a second serve return on break point at 2-1, lost the game, and then completely lost focus for the next 15 minutes. Nadal takes the second set handily, 6-1.
Where is everyone?