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
[polldaddy poll=10360796]
WWW?
Toss up in 5. Leaning Djokovic
should be a good one
Djokovic in 3 but on other hand this could be really really good. Something tells me Djokovic hits top gear and goes off though
Agut stands NO chance. Novak in three …. http://www.138mph.com/the-big-three-and-bautista-agut-in-the-semifinals-at-wimbledon/
I hope Bautista is not overly awed by the whole thing and performs well enough to make this competitive at least.
I just want to share this in case people don’t know.
Last year at Roland Garros, Bautista played his first match against Istomin days after the sudden death of his mother Esther.
His father, Joaquín, suffered an accident while taking care of his horses. (Roberto is a horse owner/lover, some of his horses have gone to the Olympic games for Spain) and he’s severely impaired.
He’s using tennis as a way to keep on fighting for it all and not just tennis.
he LOVES horses
RBA is a fighter. He’ll hard today and make life difficult for Novak esp given their recent history.
If this really goes long we run the risk of Fedal playing under the roof. So be careful what you wish for!
Yeah, the sky looks dreary already!!Sigh!
Djokovic actually using the BH slice a lot early and it’s drawn a couple of errors from RBA
This could be over very quickly!
Vamos djoko!
Looks like Djoko in three to me. Agut only knows how to play one style, ie to stay at the baseline going CC in the rallies. Djoko is taking the initiative to move to the net to control the points and forcing errors, very effective play against Agut.
Yes, exactly!! Even when Agut is on top of the point he is not pulling the trigger! Just CC, CC!!
And he keeps getting a lot of looks into Novak’s serve but he can’t capitalize!
But at least he is hanging in there!
Maybe he will find a solution in the 2nd set. 1st set is already gone…just like that.
I never thought RBA would pose a challenge! Beating Nole in BO3 isn’t remotely comparable to how Nole will play in a slam semi-final!
Didn’t see any weakness in Djoko’s game so far – this court really suits him to the T, it plays more like a slow HC, the ball bounces right up to his striking zone, very comfortable for him.
Djoko really has the blessing of the draw, none of his opponents is one who could make him play out of his comfort zone! A Kyrgios, or Pella, maybe would offer some challenges. As it is, he’s moving effortlessly through the draw and most likely into his 6th final here.
Hasn’t had to play a Top 20 player so far.
Yeah, at least Fed has to play Rafa and Kei; Rafa to play Fed next. Djoko doesn’t even have to face a top 20 player, don’t even talk about top 10!
I Dont know if its me, but i actually think Novak looks quite bored, too easy for a semi at a GS it is quite a boring match ( no offence Novak fans ) , bring on the second semi sorry ….
I agree, Djoko is feeling bored, trying to add some excitement into the match by losing his serve in the second set!
Well done Roberto! this will go at least to 4 sets now.
I bet Nole isn’t so bored now
called it!
Is it windy out there? Why has Djoko’s level dropped so suddenly? I know Agut has upped his level but Djoko is making uncharacteristic errors.
it is
Bautista Agut is a machine. He’s probably got the most energy left of anyone in the tournament besides maybe Rafa, having only dropped one set thus far. And he’s a guy with great stamina as it is. Djokovic will have to win this match, he won’t be able to just grind with RBA and hope his level drops. Because it won’t. #knockonwood
RBA has settled in and this is going to be a match, even if Novak wins it in 4, they won’t come easy. If only Goffin had the mental toughness of Batista-Agut.
Just got back to find they are 1 set all! What happened?Nole was in complete control. When I was out I noticed there was quite a gusty wind, is that what is bugging Nole?
Probably, and that’s why I feel with the roof on, Djoko’s shots won’t be affected by the wind! Djoko has very good records playing indoors, I think better than Fed’s.
Please don’t.mention the roof lucky!☺