Semifinal. Roberto Bautista Agut

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[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-microphone”] Match Recap from Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open

[7] Roberto Bautista Agut -24- (ESP) def [1] Novak Djokovic -01- (SRB)

Another stellar opening week for Roberto Bautista Agut. Fun fact: 3 of his 8 career ATP Singles titles have come during the first month of the season.

Yesterday, he eliminated 3-time Major Champion Stan Wawrinka in straight-sets. Today, down a set and a break, he came-back to defeat the World #1 Novak Djokovic.

Roberto essentially lost set-1 before the first changeover. But he endured, extended rallies and refused to cave.

In set-2, Novak broke to go up 4-3, but Bautista Agut found another gear and responded with a break of his own. Knowing he was up against a relentless opponent with ridiculous conditioning, Djokovic shattered his racquet on the baseline and spent a few minutes cleaning up the pieces with a towel.

Roberto then forced a decider with an 8-6 tiebreak victory – broke the World #1 in game-1 of set-3 – and held serve the rest of the way. Down the stretch, Bautista Agut was simply the fitter opponent, both physically and mentally – something not often heard when comparing others to Djokovic.

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Biggest win of Roberto Bautista Agut’s career — so far

This was RBA’s second victory over a World #1. His first came in 2016, when he defeated Djokovic in the Semifinals of the Shanghai Masters 64 64, earning a spot in his first Masters-1000 Final. This one was extra special, though – knowing that he recovered from a set and a break deficit against one of the most ruthless closers in the sport.

The two have now played each other nine times. Novak has won seven of those matches, most recently in a 4-set battle during the 3rd-Round of last year’s French Open 64 67(6) 76(4) 62.

Up next for Roberto Bautista Agut: [WC] Tomas Berdych -71- (CZE)

RBA hasn’t beaten Tomas Berdych in five years. They’ve played 6-times. Roberto won thier first clash during week-1 of the season in 2013 (Chennai). Since then, Tomas is 4-1 against the Spaniard – including a 5-set victory during thier last meeting in the 4th-Round of the 2016 Australian Open.

However, one important reminder before tomorrow’s championship: This is Berdych’s first event in 6-months.

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[7] Roberto Bautista Agut -24- (ESP) | Semifinal Announcer Introduction

Yesterday, this relentless 30-year-old defeated 2008 Finalist Stan Wawrinka in straight sets to reach tonight’s Semifinal match. 3 of his 8 career ATP Singles titles have come during the first month of the season, including his 2nd Auckland title last year, where he defeated Juan Martin Del Potro in the championship match. He then went on to win the biggest title of his career at the ATP-500 event in Dubai, and returned to a career-high ranking of World #13, before reaching his 3rd Final of the year in Gstaad. With seven career-wins over top-10 opponents, he’s through to the Semifinals in just his second Qatar ExxonMobil Open, and is competing for a spot in his 16th career Tour-level Final. From Spain, please welcome Roberto Bautista Agut.

[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] QF def Stan Wawrinka -66- (SUI) 64 64 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] R2 def [Q] Guillermo Garcia-Lopez -105- (ESP) 61 64 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] R1 def Matteo Berrettini -54- (ITA) 61 64

[1] Novak Djokovic -01- (SRB) | Semifinal Announcer Introduction

Undefeated in Doha since 2015, he returns to the Semifinals after two tremendous comeback victories over Marton Fucsovics and Nikoloz Basilashvili. And what this man accomplished last year is nothing short of extraordinary. Injured at the start of the season, by May he fell outside the ATP top-20 for the first time in nearly 12-years…but he persevered. Over the Summer, he won his 13th Grand Slam Singles title at Wimbledon, then made tennis history in Cincinnati, defeating Roger Federer in the championship match to become the first player ever to earn the career Golden Masters. He then captured his 14th Major at the US Open, won the Shanghai Masters, and with a run the Paris Masters Final, regained the World #1 ranking for the first time in 2-years. From Serbia, please welcome 2-time Doha Champion and the #1 Player in the World, Novak Djokovic.

[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] QF def [5] Nikoloz Basilashvili -21- (GEO) 46 63 64 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] R2 def Marton Fucsovics -36- (HUN) 46 64 61 [vector_icon icon=”fas fa-chevron-up”] R1 def Damir Dzumhur -47- (BIH) 61 62