Novak Djokovic just survived as he continued his unbeaten streak in 2020. Extending his record to 22-0, the Serbian defeated Roberto Bautista Agut in the Western & Southern Open semi-final.
Djokovic was beaten for most of the match with Roberto repeating excellent bottom strokes. The Spaniard deservedly won the first set 6-4 and it looked like we had a reversal on our hands.
Novak Djokovic defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 4-6 6-4 7-6
But Djokovic held the match by claiming the second set after breaking Roberto at 5-4 to win 6-4. The third set was turned upside down with both players struggling to keep their serve games. Out of 12 games in the set (excluding the tie-break) the serve was interrupted 6 times and Roberto returned from 5-2 to serve for the match at 6-5. But Djokovic broke it by bringing the final set to the tiebreak where he prevailed 7-0 leading the match 4-6 6-4 7-6.
But Roberto was furious with the presidential referee Lars Graff the frequent interruptions of the match have broken the rhythm of the Spaniard. Roberto was particularly unhappy with the timing of the closure of the roof. When the break for closing the roof was taken, he was serving in the second set at 5-4. The stoppage apparently broke his pace which led to him losing the match and set to Djokovic.
“This is not the first time that I disagree with Lars Graff. I think it wasn’t great and it was 100% wrong. I missed the pitch with my 5-4 serve and I can’t do anything right now, right? But it’s definitely a bad decision on Lars Graff’s part. “ Roberto said furiously.
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“It broke my rhythm. It was the third time we break the pace in the match. 1 during a toilet break and a physiotherapy break and then a roof break. Then the roof break may wait a while to finish the set because to close the roof, it’s 5 minutes. I totally disagree with the decision he made. “ He explained
Roberto Bautista Agut gave a tough fight to the world number 1. However, he will try harder and prepare for the US Open to begin within days. Meanwhile, Djokovic will play Milos Raonic in the Western & Southern Open final.
