Roberto Bautista Agut sends Novak Djokovic packing from Qatar Open
Roberto Bautista Agut stunned world No 1 Novak Djokovic in three sets to reach the final of the Qatar Open.
The Spaniard secured his second win in nine matches against the 14-time Grand Slam winner as he won 6-3, 6-7 (8-6), 6-4 in just over two hours and 30 minutes.
Bautista Agut secured the crucial break in the opening game of the deciding set and then held his nerve as he served it out.
Robertooo 😲@BautistaAgut shocks No.1 Djokovic 3-6 7-6(6) 6-4 to advance to the Doha final!#QatarTennis pic.twitter.com/TQdmOfW3eQ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 4, 2019
“I will remember this match all my life. It was an unbelievable atmosphere,” the world No 24 said after the win.
“I work every day to play this tennis. I know it’s difficult to play at this level. That’s why Novak is No 1 in the world. But I cannot be more happy than I am now.”
He will face Czech wildcard Tomas Berdych on Saturday after the 2010 Wimbledon runner-up beat the 20th seed Marco Cecchinato 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 to reach his first final since May 2017, having missed the bulk of 2018 due to injury.
Bird Box ❌
Berd Man ✅In his first tournament back after six months out with injury, @tomasberdych reaches the FINAL in Doha!#QatarTennis pic.twitter.com/QuQ8UCRVv2
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 4, 2019
More from Tennis365:
-
-
-
Warning signs are flashing for Andy Murray as he prepares his final comeback attempt
-
Quiz! Test your knowledge on the players who retired in 2018
-
Rafael Nadal will be a more aggressive player in 2019, coach warns rivals
-
Gallery of stars Down Under: Roger Federer with a western rock lobster, Naomi Osaka with a python
-
Latest
-
French OpenTaylor Fritz makes Carlos Alcaraz claim in exclusive Tennis365 interview
Top ten player Taylor Fritz opens up on Alcaraz, the GOAT debate, what tennis needs to do to improve and so much more
-
Tennis NewsRafael Nadal’s French Open clothing is revealed… but he may never wear it
Nike has revealed what Rafael Nadal would have been wearing at the French Open.
-
Tennis NewsEmma Raducanu set for fresh rankings blow amid uncertainty over her future
Jodie Burrage could be set to knock Emma Raducanu off her pedestal as the British No 1 over the course of the grass court season.
-
French OpenAryna Sabalenka alright with being hated by French Open first-round opponent Marta Kostyuk
Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina have established a triumvirate at the top of the women’s game.
-
Tennis NewsJessica Pegula out to break new ground in Paris
Jessica Pegula is out to go beyond the last eight for the first time at a Grand Slam.
-
ATP TourGrigor Dimitrov one win away from ending six-year title drought
Dimitrov had to dig deep to secure his first Top 10 victory of the year in an exciting match at the ATP 250 clay-court event.
-
French OpenAndrey Rublev jokes about toxic relationship with Roland Garros
Andrey Rublev says his relationship with Roland Garros is a bit toxic.
-
French OpenDaniil Medvedev doesn’t want Rome success to go to his head
Daniil Medvedev is wary of drawing too much confidence from his Rome Masters triumph
-
Tennis NewsCarlos Alcaraz reflects on ‘crazy’ top seeding at French Open
Carlos Alcaraz is the top seed in a Grand Slam for the first time at the age of just 20.
-
French OpenCarlos Alcaraz to take up the mantle of Spain’s Roland Garros hero
Carlos Alcaraz will set out to become the eighth Spanish man to win the men’s singles at Roland Garros.